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Missing Connections…

January 15, 2026

Yesterday was marked by a series of what I will call missed connections.  Most of these ‘missed connections’ were a series of technical issues. Devices not syncing, missing charging cables, internet outages, and Zoom meeting interruptions.  At some point, I began to feel like someone was playing a cruel trick on me.6

I was missing connections.

We rely on connection to access the energy we need.  We rely on connection to maintain communications. Without connection, we are not only isolated but we are powerless. 

As Christians, our connection to God is supreme, only to be followed by our connection to one another – this means our commitments to prayer and community are not optional but necessary.  Otherwise, we succumb to isolation and ultimately render ourselves powerless!

Get it?

Learn from my cautionary tale from these previous days.  Seek, maintain, and protect your connections to God and one another!  These are lifelines for us!

So…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Colossians 3:16 

Stay connected!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Perfect?

As one who tries to give my best effort in whatever I try to do, I’ve learned this valuable lesson:

Perfection, as we are taught it, is a myth that enslaves us – an elusive carrot that compels us but rarely elicits any peace.  The pursuit of this idea of perfection is soul crushing…

Perfection, as we are taught it,  has become a relentless specter that holds shame as its consequence when we are confronted with its impossible demands.

We need a new and better definition.

In Scripture, perfection, when applied to our humanity is not an achievement accomplished through performance but rather a condition conferred upon us by grace and through faith.   

Perfection is a process – a witness to one’s growing understanding and acknowledgement of one’s need for grace – a state of being achieved not by achievement but by acceptance.

Perfection is completion, wholeness, and maturity realized through a humility that liberates us from performance based pressure and stress.

Paradoxically, to become perfect, in the eyes of God, is to acknowledge one’s imperfection and accept the sufficiency of grace alone that allows our weaknesses to become witnesses to God’s providence, wisdom, and power!

Remember Paul’s thorn? 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Yes,  do your best, but never forget that God’s grace is enough!  In a word – Christ is perfect, so needn’t be. 

Release yourself from the burden of perfectionism – be kind to yourself today!

God’s grace is sufficient!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Secure Your Own Mask

January 12, 2026

Lessons from Flight Safety

I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve flown around the world. I’ve practically memorized the safety speeches they give at the beginning of each flight. The one that stands out to me is the one about changes in cabin pressure that require the deployment of oxygen masks.

The flight attendants make it clear that if there is an incident, the first thing everyone should do is to secure their own mask. And if you are traveling with someone who cannot secure their own mask, always make sure to secure your OWN mask first.

The Underlying Principle

For me this translates to a simple truth.

We cannot care for others well, when we do not care for ourselves. We set up unhealthy habits and codependence’s based on guilt-savior complexes that can ultimately break us and stifle the growth of those we are aiming to care for when we compromise caring and loving ourselves well.

Secure your own mask.

Encouragement for Caregivers and Leaders

So, if you are a parent, a caregiver, a manager, or a ministry leader, I encourage you to ask for support and seek prayers from those you trust. But when these are missing, do NOT feel bad or guilty about taking time to care for yourself. This is not selfishness; this is wisdom.

Secure your own mask.

The Overlooked Needs of Supporters

While prayers are easy to remember for those who are struggling, those who are ill, or for those who require special care, sometimes prayers for those who provide support and care are lacking. And oftentimes, the actual support for those who care for others is conspicuously absent.

So, the wisest and most compassionate thing you can do for yourselves and for others is to learn to…

Secure your own mask.

We cannot help anyone if we are incapacitated. Get it?

We love others AS we love ourselves.

Matthew 19:19

Now, secure your own mask.

Good Morning, I love you all.

ihs,

just adam 

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Stillness…

January 9th, 2026

Slowing Down in the Mornings

I have been intentionally working to slow down in the mornings. This choice helps me carve out time to breathe, think, and pray before I get caught up in a daily routine that often pulls me in many directions.

Rethinking Discipline

In the past, I thought discipline meant always moving forward—staying on task, reaching goals, and taking care of every detail. I thought discipline was about checking off boxes and being productive. But over time, I’ve realized that discipline also shows up in moments of stillness.

Finding Maturity in Calmness

There’s a kind of maturity in calmness—the ability to resist the urge to be constantly busy. I now see that much of my busyness comes from internal reactions to anxiety, fear, and insecurity. These feelings show up as worries about being unprepared, fear of failure, and insecurity about my abilities.

Reflecting on Busyness and Drive

Even though my busyness can lead to productivity, it’s not always necessary. Likewise, my drive might lead to external accomplishments, but these successes don’t always bring true fulfillment or happiness.

Learning to Be Still

As I get older, I’m learning to slow down so my soul can catch up with my body. Being still isn’t the same as being idle; it’s an act of trust—trusting that God has everything under control.

So, as we close out the first full workweek of this new year, I pray we all learn to trust God more, lean into His promises, and accept the grace that allows us to rest, renew our minds, restore our strength, revive our spirits, and rediscover joy.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thankfulness, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

An Ounce of Prevention…

January 8th, 2026

Regardless of your stance on vaccinations, I’m grateful to have followed my doctor’s advice and kept up with them. Even when doubts crept in, I chose to trust the process—and this week, that decision made all the difference. After feeling unwell, I bounced back quickly, reminding me that vaccines aren’t cures, but powerful tools that help us recover more quickly and face challenges with greater resilience.

Faith works in much the same way. It doesn’t shield us from every hardship, but it equips us to respond, endure, and grow stronger through adversity. Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

So, what can we do to prepare ourselves for life’s ups and downs?

  • Stay connected through prayer, meditation, and fellowship.
  • Practice your faith in service.
  • Take care of your body with rest, exercise, and healthy habits.
  • Nourish your mind and spirit with scripture and reflection.

These disciplines build resilience, helping us not just to survive, but to thrive when challenges come our way. Take care of your health, nurture your soul, and step into each day with confidence and hope!

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8

Good morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Under Construction?

January 7th, 2026

For the last several months my family has been living in a construction zone.  We had to have a new roof installed and because of the damage from the old leaky one, our living space was impacted.

Drywall needed to be replaced and repaired, electrical outlets and lighting repaired, but then we had the bright idea to go ahead and make some much needed updates…

We’ve watched our share of home improvement shows, and while there are disruptions in the plans, problems are resolved and things are beautiful in less than an hour…. 

I probably don’t need to say it, but reality is very different…

It’s been months of noise, dust, inconvenience, disruption – and we are still not done! Somehow by God’s grace we have learned to live in this construction zone…

We successfully navigated the holidays and the New Year – it was weird and awkward but progress has been made and the work continues…

I was joking with our contractor about how most people make it through the challenges of home repairs and renovations, he offered this sage advice, “You just gotta do the best you can…”

I offer those words to you this morning – just do the best you can!

When it feels like you’re living in a construction zone, somewhere between already and not yet, surrounded by dust and noise – just do the best you can.  

Some days will be better than others and sometimes progress will seem to lag, but just do the best you can, hang in there, and in the words of my wife, ‘it’ll be worth it in the end…’

Living in a construction zone?

Do the best you can, and it will be worth it in the end!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 

1 Corinthians 2:9

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Hot Water?

January 6th, 2026

There’s a saying that always sticks with me:

“The same hot water that hard-boils an egg will soften a potato…”

I like to add a little twist:

“If you’re making potato salad—you need both!”

Just like hot water changes an egg by making it tough, and a potato by making it soft, the same challenge can shape each of us in unique ways. Our struggles may harden or soften us, depending on where we start and how we respond.

We all face tough times, and each of us finds comfort in different places—maybe in faith, in our loved ones, or through personal reflection. No matter where you turn, resilience is built by letting those experiences teach and transform you.

For me, when I let Christ meet me in my struggles, I find compassion and strength. Scripture reminds us that when we are comforted, we’re better able to comfort others:

“Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:4

When you find yourself in hot water, ask yourself: How is this shaping me? Where can I find comfort and growth today—and who can I encourage in return?

Whatever your journey looks like, may you be strengthened and softened in all the right ways. Good morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

A Brand New Day…

For many of us, today is the first full workday of the New Year.  Reality has sunk in, the holiday season is over, and we are back to our regular schedules.  

Part of me longs for another day –  another couple days before getting back into the routine, but even as I consider it, I realize the slippery slope I am standing on…

Today is a brand new day, a gift if you will, that has been granted, and if we begin by wishing it away at its onset, we have already begun a downward spiral…

So, let’s reset.  

Let’s begin this day with gratitude at the grace that God has given us.  Let’s begin the day with clarity and joy as we imagine what new opportunities and blessings we will encounter… 

As with each day that God gives us, let’s acknowledge the privilege of each moment and set aside the tendency to take it for granted.  Let’s cherish this day and remember:

23  This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.

24  This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:23-24

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

A Time to Remember

January 2, 2026

As the last holiday lights are packed away and the festive season fades, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a new year. For many, this transition brings a mix of emotions—some feel anxious about returning to routines, others welcome the comfort of predictability, while most of us experience a combination of hope, gratitude, and uncertainty.

The start of a new year naturally prompts questions: What challenges will we encounter? What unexpected joys might appear? Will we have what we need? Will things turn out okay?

It’s normal to feel both wonder and weariness as we look ahead. But remember, we’ve faced new beginnings before—and we’ve made it through, one step at a time. There will be moments of difficulty and moments of delight. The key is to take each day as it comes, focusing on what’s within reach right now.

A familiar song reminds us:

“One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from You
Just give me the strength to do every day
What I have to do
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord, help me today, show me the way…
One day at a time.”
—Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson

When uncertainty feels overwhelming, lean into faith and trust in a compassionate Creator. Even the fastest runners and the most skilled climbers move forward one step at a time.

As the scripture says:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 

Matthew 6:34

May we find peace, strength, and encouragement in each new day.

Good morning, I love you all.

ihs,
just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

A Time to Remember:

January 1, 2026

The year has drawn to a close, and we stand at the threshold of a new one. As we mark this transition, we remember the experiences that have shaped us over the past twelve months. We reflect on all that has transpired, acknowledging both our joys and our sorrows, the lessons we have learned, the burdens we have carried, and the blessings we have received. Through it all, we have found opportunities to repent for our shortcomings and to rejoice in the growth and grace that have emerged from our journey.

Gratitude and Praise

In this spirit of reflection, we offer sincere praise and glory to God for His enduring goodness. We are grateful for what the elders have described as His “stubborn grace”—a grace that has sustained and protected us from “yonder to here.” This unyielding mercy has been our anchor through changing seasons and uncertain times.

Marking the Moment

As midnight arrived, a prayer rose from our hearts, marking the start of a new year. In keeping with tradition, the beans and greens have been lovingly prepared, symbolizing hope and prosperity. The laundry is complete, closets have been tidied, and the house has been dusted. Each act is a gesture of readiness for what lies ahead and a way of honoring the rituals that give meaning to our lives.

Embracing God’s Grace

Once again, we have taken time to remember, reflect, repent, and rejoice in the abundant goodness and grace that God has shown us. These practices root us, reminding us to be thankful and humble as we move forward.

A Fresh Beginning

With hearts renewed, we now resolve to step forward into the new year. We begin again. We resume our journey with hope. The witnesses of our past give us wisdom, our present blessings provide strength, and the promise of a hopeful future compels us onward.

A Promise for the Journey

We are encouraged by the words of scripture, which remind us of God’s faithful intentions toward us:

 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Happy New Year!

Good morning, and know that I love you all!

ihs,

just adam