Author: Pilgrim Pastor

I am a Pilgrim follower of Jesus. A Pastor. A Husband. A Father. A friend to the orphan and widow. I am a Congregational Christian Minister associated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and all who profess Christ.

Tune in starting February 17th 2021… [Reposted from my Facebook Page]

Ecclesiastes 3:20

I’m signing off Facebook for a bit to prepare 40 days of devotional thought for the Lenten Season. (40 Days of heart preparation for celebrating Easter) I’ll publish the first devotion on February 17th. (Ash Wednesday)

They’ll be here:

First Congregational Church of Naples
Chris Surber
http://www.pilgrimpastor.blog

These devotions will be coming from a walk through the book of Ecclesiastes, anchored in Ecclesiastes 3:20. “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” (ESV)

Many Blessings in Christ!

[Of course, I’ll be using Facebook Messenger. This isn’t really a Facebook fast, just a preparation for the Lenten Season.] #pilgrimpath

Always changing always the same…

Coquina Naples, Florida.

This ancient piece of coquina is in my backyard on the edge of a stand of woods in a small natural preserve. There are lots of potential explanations for its presence there. Someone could have brought it from closer to the Gulf Coast. It’s really embedded in the soil and appears to have been there a long time, so it’s also entirely possible that it is evidence of the regular shifting of the coastline in Florida. It could be representative of Noah’s flood, when the water’s receded shorelines were different. In any case, it is ancient and has weathered many cycles of our changing planet.

Shifting sands, raging waters, the oceans rising and falling; all of these things are common to the constancy of our in-flux world.

The evidence of change is all around us. Political structures and personalities, social upheaval and periods of rest, our world is constantly shifting. Sometimes these changes are for the better sometimes they are for the worse. It is often only in retrospect that we can clearly identify what was a positive and what was a negative change. Sometimes it is immediate and obvious.

And a changing world, there is one who remains the same. In shifting social climates, there is one anchor which will keep us safe in the storms. He is Jesus! Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (ESV)

When Christ is at the center of our lives,We stand on sure footing no matter what changes happen, no matter how the wind blows. Interact with things below. Set our affections on things above! #pilgrimpath

[*Wiki Article on Coquina: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquina#:~:text=Coquina%20 ]

The Road To Justice…

The Road To Justice…

The road to Justice starts at your own front door. This image is literally the view as I depart the sanctuary of my home into the abode of humanity. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it is bent toward justice.”

In other words, justice maybe slow and arriving but the morality that God has woven into the fabric of creation leans heavily in the direction of justice. The length of that arc depends upon us…

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good— and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (MEV) #pilgrimpath

Christian Poetry – Adoration

Lord, I’ve grown so busy doing things for you,
I’ve forgotten to quietly adore you.
Father, my heart is so weary from running my race,
I’ve gone so long without simply seeking your face.
Jesus, my redeemer, my savior, my king,
I’ve toiled in my feeble strength without bringing you anything.
Holy Spirit, I’ve forgotten simply to be,
I’ve been so long in need, yet you’ve been right here in me.
My God, now that I’m with you, now that I’m near,
You’ve flooded my soul and cast out every fear!
My Creator, my redeemer, my God, and my King,
On my knees now, finally in prayer, I give to you everything!

Pastor Chris Surber

Naples, FL Beach Sunset.