Is Jesus the Author of Your Story?

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 / pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5 NKJV

Most of us love a good story. Whether in a book, a film or a song, we enjoy listening to new stories. Some make us laugh, others cry, and the best ones motivate us to become better human beings. Stories help us to understand things, in ways that clinical explanations end up leaving us feeling more like a suspect in a crime, than an eager recipient of a gift. Maybe that is why when Jesus spoke to HIs followers, He often used stories. Even in the famous Christmas story of Mary and Joseph, with angels, wise men and shepherds, the Bible tells us that Jesus came to us as God’s Word, in made flesh. So, in a way we could even say that Jesus came as God’s story for us to hear. He came as the story of God’s love, as well as the story of His holiness. Jesus is the story of God’s mercy, as well as the story of His truth. Most important of all, Jesus came to earth, to live, to die and to be raised from the dead in order that He could become God’s story for us. He only asks that we listen with ears of faith and then receive Him into our hearts, and then in one miraculous moment, Jesus can become the author of our own faith. Then He puts His name on the book cover of our lives, and every chapter that He writes inside of us will be included in His best-selling story of all – The Book of Life!

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Is That a Trumpet?

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 / pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. Revelation 1:10 NRSV

In Hebrew, the word translated as trumpet was a ram’s horn called a shofar and God chose the shofar to be used for many important occasions. The shofar was blown at the beginning and ending of religious festivals, called the people together for meetings and its blast was also used as a signal for armies to advance in battle. When God blows a trumpet in our lives, we should not be afraid because it is HIs sign that we are His people and that He has a message we need to hear.

At the time of the writing of the book of Revelation, the apostle John had been exiled to an island used for prisoners called Patmos. On that island, John was as far from home as he had ever been in his life. But even in his isolation, instead of surrendering to despair, John chose to worship. Though very few of us will ever experience circumstances, like John did, all of us have our own times of difficulty, isolation and even despair. But Gd, even at those worst of times, is still with us and wants us to hear his voice. We never know what unusual ways He may choose to speak, so we need to be always ready listening. Then when we least expect it God just may come to us today and blow a trumpet and bring us news from Heaven.

Prayer: Father recently I have been battling fears and feelings of isolation. Thank you for remembering where I am and blowing a trumpet so I can hear your voice in my life today!

Dried Flowers Bloom

February 21, 2026February 21, 2026 / pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Some Black-eyed Susans, some lilacs sweet
Join Roses and Foxgloves for one short week
In the vase on the table and displayed with pride
Till their petals fall and are gathered and dried
Then tenderly placed with one long last look
And pressed between pages in our memory book

When our petals fall and our beauties fade
We search for our rest in life’s growing shade
In the book written by the hand of the Lord
Where souls are remembered, and hopes are restored
While we wait for Spring by the empty tomb
And the word of the Lord makes dried flowers bloom

The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV

Dried Flowers Bloom by Peter Caligiuri
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