Category Archives: Pastors

May 23, 2026 · 9:00 am

Pentecost Sunday Again

This Sunday, May 24th, is Pentecost Sunday. In my opinion it is the 3rd most significant day of the Christian or Church Year. #1 goes to Easter, hands down, as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and victory over sin and death. #2 goes to Christmas, the celebration of the Word made flesh, come to dwell among us – Emmanuel, but #3 is Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the promised Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

In too many cases Pentecost takes a back seat to other calendar events this time of the year. Memorial Day weekend often occurs near the Sunday of Pentecost, and Mother’s Day can also supplant the holy day. Pentecost occured 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and 10 days after his acsension. Without Pentecost we would likely not have the Church, the living Body of Christ. Without Pentecost we Christ followers would be trying to do this Christian way of life without the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.

Maybe you, like me, grew up in a Christian culture that did not pay much, if any, attention to Pentecost. There may have even been some fear of becoming too cozy with the concept of the Holy Spirit. Or fear of Pentecost sounding too much like “pentecostal”. Many orderly, straight-laced, Protestant churches wanted to stay clear of any kind of association with being “slain” in the Spirit, or speaking in tongues. Consequently Pentecost was overlooked. In non-liturgical church traditions, where Hallmark holidays (ala Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) or Civic holidays (ala Memorial Day) tended to carry more water than a funny sounding high-church day; Pentecost was left in the shadows.

This seems a sad oversight. What’s to neglect in the third person of the Trinity? What’s bad or questionable about celebrating a Comforter, Counselor or Advocate – the Paraclete – that is the Holy Spirit? Why wouldn’t the greater Church, and each local manifestation of it, want to acknowledge it’s inception as is recorded in Acts 2?

And, if those historical or theological reasons are not enough, who among us Christ followers, in today’s world, doesn’t benefit from the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives? Imagine facing the divisiveness of today, or the life challenges of today, without the comfort or counsel of God’s Holy Spirit! Imagine being left behind as orphans after Jesus’ acsension because the Holy Spirit did not descend. Thankfully, we do not have to imagine such things.

So, whether or not Pentecost is featured in your place of worship this Sunday, I challenge you to remember it and celebrate it. Memorial Day is a meaningful holiday, worthy of our acknowledgment as citizens of a free country, honoring those who gave their lives and service for that freedom. Here in Indiana it always comes coupled with our premier capital city festival, the Indianapolis 500. But this year, with Pentecost also coming on the same weekend, there is a trifecta for the Christ follower.

Were I to rank those three, I’d have to tip my hat to Pentecost. Why? Because, to quote the Apostle Paul, “our (primary) citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20) and our body “is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor. 6:19). And, to quote Jesus, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38), planted there by “the Spirit of truth” who “abides with you and will be in you”. (John 14:17)

Consider these prayerful lyrics from Hillsong’s, Holy Spirit Rain Down

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Oh, Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again
Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down

Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your word

Holy Spirit, rain down

No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No mind can know what God has in store
So open up Heaven, open it wide
Over Your church and over our lives

Amen.

© 2026 Daniel M. Cash

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May 14, 2026 · 9:00 am

Ascending to Embrace the Ascension

As a Baptist pastor, and part of the Free Church tradition, I have never focused too much on Jesus’ Ascension. Sure, I know it is recorded at the end of Luke’s Gospel and again in the beginning verses of Acts, Luke’s second volume; but I do not recall ever having preached a sermon or led a Bible study on the topic. Until this year, when that is exactly what I am planning to do. Why?

In part my interest in Jesus’ Ascension is sparked by my having leaned of late on the Revised Common Lectionary schedule of texts in my preaching. I determined to not leave Easter behind too quickly this year, so have mostly followed the recommended Gospel or Epistle readings for the Sunday’s of Easter. But this is not the only reason.

For the past three years I have also been working part-time as a chaplain in a Catholic hospital. It seems every time you turn around there is some kind of special feast day or saint day being recognized either in the communications shared with staff, or at a chapel service led by one of my priest chaplain colleagues. And, of course, Jesus’ Ascension (celebrated on May 14th) will qualify as one of those special days. Seeing the advertisements for such a “special day” and “special service” peaks my interest.

We Baptists never want anyone telling us what to do, what or how to preach, or really much of anything else. We are an independent (some might say “stubborn”) lot. But, I began to think maybe it was about time I investigated this holy day (The Ascension of our Lord) in the Christian calendar, and ministry of our Lord Jesus. What’s it all about? Why is it important? Is it important? (Yes it is!)

Let me lay the foundation for my affirmation in this way. To “ascend” is to “move upward, climb or rise to a higher point”. This can be done both physically and/or figuratively. Someone might ascend a hill, for example; but they might also ascend to a position of more responsibility. Turns out ascending is not all that uncommon in life. People do it all the time. They climb mountains, they scale the corporate ladder, they achieve degrees in higher education – they ascend.

Jesus’ ascension is a bit different from this, and yet, it’s not. At the close of his ministry on earth, 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven. He “goes up”, physically moving from earth to the heavens. There are eye witnesses to his ascension, some of whom, like Dr. Luke, record it for our benefit. But what does it mean?

Jesus’ ascension signals the completion of his earthly ministry and his return to glory. It marks his elevation and exaltation to the right hand of God, where he assumes his role as our High Priest and mediator before God. This is important. It means that Jesus is advocating for us as our High Priest with God, our creator. In this priestly intercessory role Jesus, who suffered for our sins on the cross, is uniquely interceding for all those who suffer and call out to him. He is looking upon us – seeing us – as followers and disciples; loving us and making intercession for us. Doesn’t that give you some goose bumps? It should!

In addition, his ascension happens, as he repeatedly taught, so that the Holy Spirit can come and dwell within us. Jesus does not “leave us” as orphans, but he sends the Spirit to be our comforter, advocate and guide here on earth. This happened 10 days after The Ascension of our Lord, on the day of Pentecost.

Finally, in his ascended role, our High Priest/King/Savior/Lord is also (according to John 14) “preparing a place for us” and he will “come again” to take us to be with him, they we may be where he is. (Sit with that for a moment or two!). To put it another way, Jesus ascends in anticipation of returning for the Church. He cannot come back until he goes, and his going has everything to do with his plan to return. Luke says it this way, quoting the angelic messengers present at the ascension of the Lord: “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” There’s been an ascension, and one day there will be a descending of the Victor Jesus, returning as promised to begin his judgement and reign as our King of Kings in the new heaven and new earth.

So, I ask you, doesn’t all of that add up to some solid reasoning from which to say “thank you” and recognize the role of Jesus’ acsension? Can’t even an independent, stubborn Baptist get behind that? I plan to. How about you?

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February 24, 2026 · 2:45 pm

Wilderness & Lent

The traditional lectionary text for this past Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent, recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. This comes on the heels of Jesus’ baptism and is shared in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-23, and Luke 4:1-13.

When I think of wilderness my mind goes to western United States topography. I think of the wilderness of Arizona – specifically around Superstion Mountain (see photo below), or the wilderness of the Badlands in South and North Dakota. These are arid places inhabited by sage brush, cacti, rattle snakes, heat or frigidity (depending on the season). The topography is rugged and unforgiving. These places are filled with life, but its a kind of organic existence that has learned to negotiate the hard scrabble climate and terrain.

Imagine spending 40 days, alone, fasting in these kinds of places. It would be nearly impossible. One would not only face the physical elements of the region, but also the physiological realities of food deprivation, both of which could easily contribute to sleep deprivation. So, why go there?

In truth, wilderness is not always a place you choose to enter, as much as it’s a place you find yourself. Matthew and Luke both say that Jesus was “led” by the Spirit into the wilderness. Mark says “the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness”. There seems to be acknowledgment that Jesus needed this experience. Into wilderness existence can come wilderness discovery. Which is, of course, is the essence of Jesus’ temptation experience. He comes face to face with the mental and spiritual challenges presented by the Evil One.

Wilderness demonstrates how closely these three are interrelated – physical, mental and spiritual. Jesus confronts and combats wilderness, with all of its mental, physical and spiritual challenges through prayer. His fasting is a compliment to prayer, which is also sustained by Scripture meditation, used to thwart Satan’s tempting.

Periods of self-reflection and testing may be bouyed by such practices (prayer, fasting, meditation). In deploying these things we combat the aloness of the wilderness periods of life. God, Spirit, Christ are “with us” in Word and prayer, in fasting and meditation. Strength and awareness come from our engagement with these resources, leading us ever and again to the creation of all that is good.

Emerging from such times we do well to also follow Jesus’ example of rest and recovery. He was tended to by the angels, the Biblical accounts tell us. Perhaps we can seek the “better angels of human nature” found in care givers, loved ones and friends to tend to our needs as we rest and recover. Here too the ministry of the spiritual, companions that of the physical, and we emerge the stronger for the struggle.

The season of Lent is oft described as “wilderness time” meant to offer the Christ follower a penintent path to Easter. May this path lead to a re-consideration of the connectedness of all that the wilderness constitutes, including that link between physical, mental and spiritual.

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December 8, 2025 · 8:00 am

Jesus’ Birth Changes Everything

In choir we have been working on Christmas anthems over the past several rehearsals.  We are singing a variety of beautiful, sometimes ethereal, songs that give expression to Jesus’ natal story.  Many good words are found in the lyrics. Some catchy rhythms comprise the music, with more than a few disconsonant chords, which are there by intention.

Jesus’ birth comes unexpectedly to a world embroiled in oppression for some, domination by others. It comes as “light” into darkness, hope into despair, life into barrenness, and spark to tender. Jesus’ birth changes everything, though humankind continues to act and believe otherwise.

Jesus’ birth is about redemption and reconciliation.  It’s about hope and promise, covenant renewed and restored, mission set in further motion, and the fullness of time being realized. Jesus’ birth is the “already but not yet” of the Kingdom of God, inaugurated and begun, set forth and set free.  It’s a morning song bursting forth at daybreak.  And it’s a mourning song coming to a mother’s lips at end of day.

Everyone has a unique birth story, yet in Jesus’ birth we each have the ability to find our story of rebirth as well. Birth is hard. It’s difficult to enter this world. It’s the stuff of “labor” and pain, moaning and groaning. Let us not be glib in thinking otherwise. Yet, there’s little said of that side of Jesus’ birth in the Scriptures. We do not get a report of Mary’s waters breaking, or the length and struggle of her labor. The closest thing to Joseph’s anxiety we see is the difficulty he has in procuring lodging for his family in a “stuffed to the rafters” Bethlehem Town.

The gospel writers, like the hymn and anthem writers after them, do not choose to dwell on the struggle, save for what can be deduced about the difficulty of a registration pilgrimage at 9 months of gestation. Why? I suspect it’s because like most birth stories, the focus moves quickly from the pain and struggle of the process to the joy and relief of the outcome.

A newly born, healthy baby is greeted with awe and fascination at the Creator’s design. We wonder who this child will become, and how they are already blessing and making our lives more full. From the moment of safe arrival a birth signals that all has changed. That which we didn’t even know was missing has now brought fulfillment. It’s as if this was always meant to be.

So it is with Jesus’ entry into our world, our lives and hearts. This is the wonder of Christmas.

© Daniel M. Cash 2025

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November 25, 2025 · 1:05 pm

A Thanksgiving Exam

There is an ancient practice found in the history of the Church called “The Examination of Conscience” or “The Examen”.  I learned about this practice years ago and have found it to be a helpful exercise. Today I taught about it in my Introduction to Christianity class, as an example of a practice of faith that helps us in the Christ way of living.  I’m not sure how it connected with my group of 18–22-year-olds, but maybe it landed with a few of them.

Revisiting this ancient practice, during this Thanksgiving season, gave me pause to consider its merits for the practice of thanksgiving. Here’s how an adapted version of the practice that I call “Stop, Look and Listen” might work for you:

Stop: Stop what you are doing, find a comfortable place to sit with both feet on the floor and your body relaxed (no arms or legs crossed) with palms open.  Breathe – pay attention to your breath, “let go” of any stress, worries or mental squirrels you are apt to chase. Just stop!

Look: Look back over the past year.  Ask yourself: “What is there to be thankful for?”  Make a mental list or perhaps write down your list.  What are you grateful for?  How has God blessed your life in the past twelve months?

Offer those thanksgivings to God in prayer – this can be naming the list itself, or just mentally revisiting what you’ve listed.  No need for fancy language.

Now, looking back, ask yourself: What am I not grateful for? What do I need to repent of, let go of, seek forgiveness for, or say ‘I’m sorry’ about, and to whom? 

Once you’ve made that list – take action.  Bring these things before the Lord or resolve when and how to address them with the people whom you’ve identified.  Let go!  Release these hindrances to thankful living.

Listen: Be still.  Sit in silence. Try for at least five minutes – longer if you dare. Light a candle as a focal point for your listening.  Use a mantra to focus your mind: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”.  Or read over a favorite scripture.

Listen. Allow God to speak and read your mind, your person. Just be still and know that God is God.

Don’t rush this part of the exercise.  It’s ok to feel a bit uncomfortable. Just be still!

When you are ready, recite the Lord’s Prayer or Psalm 23, blow out your candle (if you lit one) and move into the remainder of your day or season with thanksgiving.   Amen.

© Daniel M. Cash 2025

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