Pastor’s Reading Corner
Lately, many of the books on my desk seem to be circling around one common theme: spiritual formation—how God shapes us, renews us, and forms Christ within us as we follow Jesus. That feels especially meaningful because discipleship is not simply about learning information; it is about becoming a certain kind of person.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-14 -- 12 Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. 14 And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
One book that I picked up (and contributed to a recent sermon) is Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard. In this beautiful reflection on Psalm 23, Willard reminds us that the words “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” are not just poetic comfort—they are an invitation into a transformed life. To live without lack does not mean life is easy or free from struggle. It means that in Christ, we can learn to live rooted in trust rather than fear, in contentment rather than anxiety, and in peace rather than striving.
That message speaks deeply to our hurried and anxious age. Many people are exhausted, carrying burdens they were never meant to carry. Psalm 23 reminds us that the Shepherd leads, provides, restores, and remains present even in the darkest valleys. Spiritual formation begins when we stop trying to be our own shepherd and allow Jesus to lead our lives.
That same theme echoes through several other books I’ve been reading. The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by ordained Methodist pastor Rev. James Bryan Smith, explores replacing false narratives about God with the truth revealed in Jesus. I am trying to reread Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer which offers practical rhythms for apprenticeship to Jesus.
What ties these books together is this truth: discipleship is formation. We are always being shaped by something—the culture around us, our habits, our fears, our routines. The call of Jesus is to be intentionally shaped by the Holy Spirit through worship, prayer, Scripture, service, community, and love.
My prayer for our church is that we would be people who do more than attend church occasionally or believe the right things intellectually. I pray we would become people whose lives reflect the character of Jesus—people marked by peace, joy, compassion, courage, love, and trust. Not just in our hearts, but evidenced in how we live in the world and in community with each other.
Try reading Psalm 23 daily throughout the month of May. How might you be different if that became your heartbeat in this anxious world? How might that bless you, your family, and your community?
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
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