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Ask the Pastor: What do I do about Guilt?

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“How do I know if what I’m feeling is conviction from the Holy Spirit or just my own guilt talking?” The Bible speaks with remarkable nuance about guilt. It never denies that we are guilty before God or that our sin harms our neighbor. Scripture is far more honest about human failure than we usually are with ourselves. But it also refuses to leave us in the kind of guilt that collapses inward and corrodes the soul. The tension you’re naming—the pull of the Spirit’s conviction that leads to life and the weight of self‑driven guilt that turns inward—is something Scripture helps us discern. The Bible treats true guilt as an objective reality. We have sinned against God and one another, and that should trouble us. Psalm 51 is David’s confession that he has done real harm, and he refuses to minimize it. The prophets speak the same way: sin is not a feeling; it’s a rupture in relationship. In that sense, guilt is not psychological but moral. It names the truth about our condition. But Scr...
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A Communion Liturgy

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Exhortation   This table is for those who admit their weakness and need grace, not those who claim goodness. The Gospel confirms that Christ’s perfect sacrifice fully covers all our failures and moral debts. We examine ourselves not to achieve worthiness, but to confess our continuing need for his mercy and turn away from self-reliance. Approaching this meal without honoring Christ's work is a spiritual danger, yet receiving it with genuine repentance and faith brings deep spiritual union with him. Therefore, if you are relying on Christ alone for your standing with God, draw near. Come, then, and receive the bread and cup as concrete assurances of his love and the eternal life secured by his death. Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (CSB) - [23] On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, [24] and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [25] In the same way also he took the...
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Ask the Pastor | How Should We Think About Bible Translations?

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I was recently asked what Bible translation I use in the pulpit. The question came with a concern many of us share: Which translations can we trust, and which should we avoid? This is an important conversation, because the Bible is God’s Word given to us in human language. Every translation involves decisions about how best to communicate that Word clearly and faithfully. Three Broad Approaches to Translation Bible versions generally fall into three categories: Paraphrase – These aim to restate the meaning of Scripture in fresh, everyday language. They are helpful for devotional reading but not ideal for close study. Word-for-Word – These strive to stay as close as possible to the original wording. Examples include the NASB and KJV. Thought-for-Thought – These focus on conveying the sense of a passage in smoother, more natural English. The NIV is a well-known example. It’s worth noting that no translation is perfectly word-for-word. Languages don’t line up neatly. Translators must rend...
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People of the Word

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2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. Every day, we’re surrounded by voices telling us what to believe, how to live, and what matters most. Some are sincere, some misleading, and many just plain confusing. That’s why we need a foundation that doesn’t shift, a truth that doesn’t change. God gave us His Word not to complicate life, but to clarify it. The Bible isn’t just a book; it’s the living voice of God. It’s not only true, it’s trustworthy. It doesn’t just tell us what’s right; it shows us how to live well. When we build our lives on Scripture, we’re building on rock, not sand. God’s Word doesn’t restrict us. It releases us. Real freedom isn’t doing whatever we want; it’s doing what we were made for. Scripture tells us who we are, why we’re ...
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You are a Priest

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I've been reflecting a lot lately on authority in church life—who teaches, who leads, who serves. But sometimes that word can feel heavy or complicated. Scripture gives us a simpler, deeper truth: every believer is a priest . By faith in Jesus and through your baptism, you’ve been called—not just to belong to God, but to represent Him. “ You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light .” (1 Peter 2:9) This priesthood means you can draw near to God with confidence. Hebrews says, “ Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith …” (Hebrews 10:22). You don’t need to hang back or wait for someone else to go first. Jesus has opened the way for you. It also means you’re called to care for others. James writes, “ Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed .” (James 5:16) That’s not just for pastors or elders—it’s for all of us. Here are jus...
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Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition

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In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guilt. Michael S. Horton's article, " Comfort Ye My People " explains that early Reformers saw these practices as ways for ministers to help people, not to exercise power. Unlike the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, which often made forgiveness conditional, the Reformers viewed confession and absolution as simply sharing the good news of God's forgiveness. This approach has helped people avoid the deep uncertainty that medieval practices caused, and it also differs from the often confusing personal feelings common in some modern churches. John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformation, strongly disagreed with the medieval idea of penance, which he felt burdened people with anxiety. He taught that forgiveness comes from God's mercy, not from anything people do to make up for their sins. For Calvin, confessing sins wasn't about...
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Mindfulness and Mental Health

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When you hear the word mindfulness, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a yoga class, a monk in meditation, or one of the many apps designed to cultivate mindfulness. The concept has certainly gained popularity, but it’s more than just a buzzword—it’s a practice rooted in extensive research, consistently demonstrating its benefits for mental health. You’ll find mindfulness woven into meditation apps, self-help books, and therapeutic techniques, yet at its core, it’s simply about being fully present in the moment. Instead of dwelling on the past or anxiously anticipating the future, mindfulness invites us to focus intentionally on the here and now . The Science Behind Mindfulness Over the past few decades, researchers have explored the benefits of mindfulness on mental health, and the findings are consistently compelling. Studies have shown that mindfulness reduces stress, lowers symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves emotional regulation, and enhances overall well-being. One study ...
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