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Tom Sims

@pastortomsims.bsky.social

Coach, Writer, Pastor, and Intenet Citizen

662 Posts586 Follower477 Folgt
Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · 22h ago

A devotional reflection on Job 33:4 exploring how the breath of God creates, sustains, renews, and restores human life. The wind becomes a picture of the unseen movement of the Holy Spirit, inviting us to seek new birth and a fresh breath of life from God.

The Gentle, Mighty Breath of God

Photo by Nikola Vu on Pexels.com “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” —Job 33:4 We do not see the wind. We feel it. We observe it moving things, and we hear the whistle of its passage through objects that vibrate to its rhythm. That physical manifestation of the breath of God is always giving life. The wind lifts seeds from dandelions and scatters them so that they may take root and bring forth new life. It blows wherever it will.

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · 24h ago

In this edition of Pastoral Excellence, I explore why faithful leadership requires us to interpret the numbers, understand the community, and discern when it is time to grow, consolidate, downsize, or redream the dream. Read the article: lnkd.in/ga_cMZrz

When the Biggest Employer Leaves Town

Why Pastoral Excellence Requires More Than Counting Attendance Pastoral excellence can be measured in many ways. In conversations about church health, however, we often isolate one measurement: number...

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · 2d ago

What Does Forgiveness Require? What does forgiveness require—and what does it not require? In Matthew 18:15–35, Jesus brings together honest conversation, accountability, healthy boundaries, reconciliation, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Peter asks how many times he must forgive. Jesus…

What Does Forgiveness Require?

What does forgiveness require—and what does it not require? In Matthew 18:15–35, Jesus brings together honest conversation, accountability, healthy boundaries, reconciliation, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Peter asks how many times he must forgive. Jesus responds by taking away the ledger. The servant wanted mercy as a benefit but refused to live by grace. He left the king’s presence debt-free—but not ledger-free. Grace has the conversation.Grace seeks restoration.Grace establishes responsible boundaries.Grace stops keeping count.Grace remembers the mercy it has received.Grace keeps moving. The channel runs both ways: we receive grace from God, and we extend grace to those around us.

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · 4d ago

A devotional reflection on Psalm 139:9 and the comforting truth that no distance, burden, failure, or attempted escape can carry us beyond the presence and grace of God.

Wings of the Morning

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea…” —Psalm 139:9 There are things that have wings.There is a quality of life that sings.There is the bell tower of the morning that regularly rings.And all the cosmos brings its praise to the feet of the King of Kings! Birds, butterflies, and 747 jet planes all have wings. They flutter and fly, and we suppose they have an advantage over us in our limited mobility. We sometimes wish we could fly.

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · 6d ago

Even the Seas Praise Him “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.”—Psalm 69:34 To borrow from another season, my heart sings: Joy to the world! The Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing!—Isaac…

Even the Seas Praise Him

“Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.”—Psalm 69:34 To borrow from another season, my heart sings: Joy to the world! The Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing!—Isaac Watts Heaven and nature sing the glories and praises of God. Look at the sky. It is praising God. The multitude and magnitude of the heavens form a symphony of adoration for the One who thought it all out, spoke it into existence, and maintains its order through the strength of His resolve.

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · last wk.

Numbers matter, but numbers are not God. Reports describe our condition; they do not define our calling. What might God accomplish with what remains? Between the Piles: pastortom.blog/2026/08/04/b... #Judges7 #ChurchLeadership

Between the Piles

Pastor Mary Jones sat at her desk, contemplating the strategic-planning process she was about to present to her working team. On one side were the demographics: a community snapshot, perceived and …

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · last wk.

Between the Piles Pastor Mary Jones sat at her desk, contemplating the strategic-planning process she was about to present to her working team. On one side were the demographics: a community snapshot, perceived and documented needs, feedback from neighbors, and a growing awareness of the church’s…

Between the Piles

Pastor Mary Jones sat at her desk, contemplating the strategic-planning process she was about to present to her working team. On one side were the demographics: a community snapshot, perceived and documented needs, feedback from neighbors, and a growing awareness of the church’s mission. On the other side was the church-health report. An outside consultant had assessed the congregation’s strengths, weaknesses, facilities, debt, leadership, attendance, and long-term viability. The report documented ten years of decline—most of it before Mary arrived two years ago. The congregation had struggled to maintain its facilities and stretch every available resource.

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · last wk.

What does greatness look like in the Kingdom of God?

A Kingdom of Children

Photo by Gordon KY on Pexels.com Jesus turns our familiar ladder of greatness upside down. In Matthew 17:24–18:14, the free Son yields, a child becomes the model of greatness, the vulnerable are protected, and the wandering one is sought. What might change if we became: Free enough to yield.Humble enough to welcome.Serious enough to protect.Loving enough to seek. Read or listen to the entire message, “Children of the Kingdom”: On YouTube: The full study on Substack at Bible Chat Online: Share and discuss with your friend on Facebook:

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Tom Sims@pastortomsims.bsky.social · last wk.

Christian citizenship is a stewardship. Our liberty, vote, influence, and public voice are trusts from God. To love our neighbors, we must seek and speak truth, reject false witness, and remember that our words always bear witness.

Christian Citizenship and the Stewardship of Truth

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”—Exodus 20:16 I have recently published two related reflections on our responsibilities as citizens. In “You Have Been Appointed to the Oversight Committee,” I suggest that every citizen participates in the oversight of government. We cannot personally investigate every decision, attend every hearing, or examine every public document. Nevertheless, we are responsible for learning what we reasonably can, evaluating those who exercise power, and acting upon that knowledge. In the companion Medium article, “The Fifth Estate Needs an Ethic,” I turn to writers, bloggers, podcasters, influencers, and independent commentators.

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