Pastor’s Blog
The Kingdom Without the King
Justice and the equitable distribution of resources—ensuring that everyone, everywhere, benefits—once seemed to me the highest vision of human progress. Such ideals, I believed, would…
The Fingerprint of God
Many times, God Almighty has intentionally encouraged and blessed my family and me through the loving and thoughtful gestures of His children. These moments are…
48 Years of God’s Grace
As Adventists, we are part of a movement. Our church was raised by God to awaken hearts—to stir a holy discontent with the political, social, and religious status…
“Obedience Before Success”
“God is looking for shepherds who will lead despite their circumstances, not because of them.” This statement from Heather Thompson Day, shared during our pastors’ meeting at La Sierra University last Tuesday, has lingered deeply in my heart…
“The Grace that Goes Before”
William Miller was walking in God’s grace long before he fully recognized it—and so are all of us. Miller became known for preaching about the soon return of Christ, setting the date for sometime in 1843. When that expectation ended in disappointment, he…
The Sacred Table
When I was at Southern Adventist University, I volunteered for an evangelistic series with It Is Written. John Bradshaw was the keynote speaker. On opening night…
Eerie Times
One of the most chilling scenes in the Gospel story is Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. Time and again He called His people back to Himself. Yet, the writers often show that…
The Knock I Didn’t Expect
Discipleship lies at the core of our Mission Statement, defining our calling from God…
Rising Powerfully for Mission
Pastor Erton Köhler reminds us that God’s priority for His church is clear: to rise powerfully for mission and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to all nations as the sign of Christ’s return…
When God Holds Our Hands
The other day, I was playing the piano for Marleigh. I set her in her little Bjorn bouncer and started singing “Jesus loves the little children.” I don’t know if it’s just me, but…
Is Vacation Necessary?
Is vacation necessary—or just a luxury? Here in San Diego, September is considered the best time to…
Never Alone
Baptism is a beautiful and deeply personal experience. Many of us look back on this moment in our lives with great fondness and joy. It marks a decisive point…
Time to be bold
For several consecutive years, we have encouraged and challenged our youth to overcome fear and anxiety when sharing God’s message from the pulpit. I’ve worked closely with them in…
Can’t unsee it
You know that moment when you notice something, and you can’t un-notice it? Like when you finally see the arrow hidden between the “E” and “X” in the FedEx logo, representing the…