Skip to main content

Staff Trax

The Great Commission

Dear Salem Family,

We dwell in the word in staff meetings on the text two weeks out. And this week I was struck by something in the Matthew text, Matthew 28:16-20, 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him,…

Gathered to Be One

It is the night before he will be crucified and Jesus is with his disciples. As we know, he has been preparing them for his departure and assuring them that they have what they will need to continue his work, the work his Father sent him to do. He has done all he can do and it is now time for them to carry on. The problem is, this work isn’t exactly work that will get one rewarded in…

​Be Present

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father…

Gathered to be Transformed

Here we are, only a couple of weeks away from ending the Season of Easter, the time in the church year that we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and, yet, our gospel text isn’t focused on Jesus’ Resurrection, but instead, it is focused on the time just before Jesus’ death. For the past few weeks we have been reading about the teachings of Jesus just before he was arrested. We are trying…

​You’re Not Alone

My cousin Nate is on his way from North Carolina to Alaska…driving his motorcycle. He stopped at our house tonight, and showed me all of his gadgets so that he can ride alone, but still feel safe and connected. He figured with the list of friends and family “following” him, if he gets in trouble surely someone will know a way he can get help, no matter where he needs it. Every evening…

Gathered to Make Room

Everyone wants to know that there is room for them, regardless of where they are, or the group they are with. Here at Salem do we have room for everyone? Is there room for everyone, those who are already here and visitors & guests? I’m not just talking about physical space, although that is important, but is there room for their ideas, for their needs, and their dreams? And these same questions…

Room To Spare!

A couple of weeks ago, Jill and I went to Austin to visit our daughter and son-in-law. We had such a good time with them, and to be honest, we didn’t really do a whole lot except spend time with them relaxing and enjoying catching up on everything happening in our lives. I think part of what made it so relaxing and fun is their house. Up until a couple of years ago, they owned a very…

Gathered to Recognize His Voice

How do you know who to listen to these days? I mean seriously, there are so many voices out there trying to get our attention it is almost impossible to know who is the right person, group, movement, etc. to listen to. For parents it can be exceptionally hard to get your children to listen to you when so many others are offering different information. When our kids were young, we developed…

Gather Around the Table

Dear Salem Family,

I love food. Many of you know I love food. I love to cook, dine out, share a meal, experiment with new recipes, I love food. But, I think what I love most about food is that it brings people together. Whether it’s two people sharing a meal or a huge party, food brings people together. These last couple of weeks, I was reminded multiple times about how much I…