It’s been just over one month since I was given the opportunity to talk about passing the baton. In the time since it has been so encouraging to see how this church continues to grow together. Just last week we held our annual Harvest Festival. This is perhaps our...

Halloween has come and gone for 2019. I always break out in a small smile when that celebration is over. Why? Because at its best, Halloween has become a celebration of the mindless paganism our ancestors wisely turned their backs on. But now the best holidays are in...

Every once in a while, the Back Page ought to provide practical advice. I wish I was smart and clever enough to provide witty banter every week, but I’m not. The kids have left the nest, so my best material went with them. Parenting is great fodder, at least for me. I...

I had walked by this place while I’d been alone in Jerusalem. And I scoffed. It bothered me that here in the land of Jesus, there’s a place devoted to Santa Claus. Come on, no Santa here. When we were out on an evening excursion for gelato, we walked by this house...

Twenty-five years ago this week, I preached my first sermon here at Peninsula. The message was a blur, but I still have the notes and may just preach it again someday. It was no barnburner; I can guarantee that. How do I know? Because I’d used my two best sermons to...

Every once in a while, it is great to hear a fresh perspective on life and the Word. This week, we hear from Brett MacKenzie, fireman, paramedic, Jesus lover. This is all Brett. Thanks, my friend. — Pastor Jim I’ve been thinking about something for a little while now...

I am back in Palos Verdes. But, I’m not sure what time it is. My body says one time, the brain quite another. Such are the joys of international travel — and it’s common to us all. I’ve just started thinking about the start of the trip, the Uganda part. When I was in...

As I sit on my bed I can see the Citadel of David peeking out between some very ordinary rooftops. The Citadel of David has nothing to do with King David, you should know. The tower does have something to do with Herod the Great. His palace was destroyed and, in the...

This has been a bit of a mixed week for me. I’m writing before the tour group arrives (Thursday early evening) and my much-anticipated time in Jerusalem has been different than planned. Well, there wasn’t much of a plan to begin with, to be honest. I didn’t feel well...

Sometimes it takes an experience in life to teach you clearly some biblical truth. The last half of the week at the medical clinic in Bombo, Uganda, I had delegated most of my tasks to others. That left me with not a whole lot of pressing matters to consume my time....