Pastoral Reflections

Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Asian Hate Crimes Intolerable

Evil is hideous. And in the outpouring of so many facets of it in the news we read about mass shootings at Atlanta spas. Eight people were killed. This is abominable. It is senseless evil.

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Hope in Times of Fear

Here is an interview with Tim Keller about his new book. Be encouraged: “Tim Keller has written more than 20 books, including several bestsellers. But he’s never felt more” divine guidance…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

It is very difficult to secure a COVID vaccination appointment. The demand is off the charts. Available spots are taken in a matter of seconds. I’ve heard countless stories of how frustrating it is being so close yet so far. Websites easily crash. Phone lines are jammed. Lines are too long. People want their vaccinations!

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Motivation from the Psalms

Having just finished a sermon series through some of the Psalms of lament, I came across this encouraging article by Ed Welch on Psalm 23 and 110. Please be motivated as you meditate more on the Psalms:

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Shocking

Last May, in the tenth entry of my pastoral reflection, I wrote a tribute to one of my heroes of the faith, Ravi Zacharias. I included an article written about him during his battle with cancer…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

A Prayer from the Valley of Vision (Part 4)

To the Great I AM: I need healing, Good Physician, come and manifest Your power. I need faith, You who have given it to me, maintain, strengthen, increase it. Center it upon the Savior’s work…

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Bethel Church EM Bethel Church EM

A Prayer from the Valley of Vision (Part 3)

To the Great I AM: I need healing, Good Physician, come and manifest Your power. I need faith, You who have given it to me, maintain, strengthen, increase it. Center it upon the Savior’s work…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

A Prayer from the Valley of Vision (Part 2)

To the Great I AM: I need healing, Good Physician, come and manifest Your power. I need faith, You who have given it to me, maintain, strengthen, increase it. Center it upon the Savior’s work…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

A Prayer from the Valley of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou has brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Ultimate Trust

The Capitol building is a symbol of freedom. It houses the legislative branch of government vital in the checks and balance of political power. It is the government of the people, by…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Solitude

I’ve been reading a book by Raymond M. Kethledge and Michael S. Erwin entitled, Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude. At first glance, this book seemed quite irrelevant…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

The Glory of Christmas

I pray you will have a blessed Christmas! As you meditate upon Jesus, please be encouraged by this article from Ligonier Ministries…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

The Wonder of Advent

The arrival of Jesus is wondrous. The Infinite became an infant. The King made Himself vulnerable. The Perfectly Strong became weak. This wonder exceeds our comprehension…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Waiting

Waiting is hard. And it seems to be only getting worse. The efficiency of technology raises our expectations for instant response. Wifi speeds are increasing…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Advent in Distress

I drew great encouragement from this article by David Mathis. Please be encouraged: “These have been dark days in 2020, even in the light of spring and summer…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

A Thanksgiving Prayer

I pray that you are having a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. And here is a prayer by author Trevin Wax for this season: “Father Almighty, as I look back on your work in my life over the years…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Thanksgiving Even in a Pandemic

“By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Conversing Well

Conversations can easily degrade into angry shouting matches. It’s especially difficult to navigate charged topics such as the election or the coronavirus when opposing views exist…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Learning from the Election

The election polls set an expectation that proved quite false. Again. Instead of a one-sided victory, there’s a tight race. Ballot counters are laboring. And in time, the electoral balance…

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Tony Mershon Tony Mershon

Unity in Diversity

As the election draws near so does a sense of urgency. Candidates and supporters are giving their all. Nothing is left on the table. It’s do or die. And in the fight to persuade, battle lines become…

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