Mike Hoffman's blog
Rest
Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28. Our modern lives are full of restlessness of the spirit and the heart: multi-tasking, driving while texting, and answering cell phones that interupt face-to-face relationships and conversations. Come out of the world and rest in the arms of Christ! - Pastor Mike
Relax
Remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10? Martha was worried about how her place looked and how the food was to be prepared. Jesus told her that serving can degenerate into mere busywork that is no longer full of devotion to God. Don't be so busy doing things for Jesus that you neglect time spent with Jesus! - Pastor Mike
Transformed
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." - Romans 12:2. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew, reeducate, and redirect your mind so that you can truly be transformed. - Pastor Mike
Job
Job was a man that lost his wealth, children, and possessions and then was covered in sores all over his body. His friends told him that suffering was the result of sin or that God was humbling Job. Actually, God is beyond our comprehension and we simply have to remain faithful and develop a deeper relationship with Him, knowing that He alone is all we need. -Pastor Mike
Evangelist
I expereienced a few street evangelists in New York City this past week. One in particular captured my attention. He had multiple signs lined up along a fence and was actually training up spectators from the crowd to become evangelists themselves. New believers getting on-the-spot training and being released into the world. Awesome! - Pastor Mike
Away
I am going away for a couple of days, picking up our son from college in NYC. I don't like to be away from home because it disrupts my daily routine of "accomplishing". I need to focus more on looking at times like this as Sabbath, a time to break with routine, not worrying about getting things done, and spending more time with God and and those that I love. -Pastor Mike
Storms
Life brings storms in our lives that challenge our demand for control. A managable Christian life is what we prefer, but storms keep us from losing our vibrant, growing edge. Should I satisfy my needs, or the needs of others? We must find a middle ground between ultruism and self-fulfillment, keeping ourselves and others in the dance. - Pastor Mike
Deed
Words can carry much weight or be nearly worthless. I myself prefer to see people reach others through their actions. 1 John 3:18 says, "Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." To all the moms and other women who have had an effect on us during our lives thus far, "Happy Mother's Day" and thanks for what you do so well! -Pastor Mike
Comfort
We hear about comfort food, comfortable clothes, and Comfort Inns. But what is real comfort? Real comfort is being who you are with those who will not judge you unfairly. "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you..." - Isaiah 66:13 The closest comfort to that which God provides is the comfort of a mother. Happy Mother's Day! -Pastor Mike
New
"Batter my heart, three-personed God; For you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, And seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, And bend Your force, to break, blow, burn And make me new." - John Donne. Passion is God flowing through us. It is the presence of God, the Trinity, the River of Life that seeks to flow out of us, to do God's will. -Pastor Mike
