Rev. Zach

A while back I started a blog for youth at a church I served in Savannah, GA. God called me to move on before the blog had a chance to take root, but I kept it open for a while anyway. The posts were reflections on life, faith, and pop culture. Recently I closed the blog and imported those posts into this blog just to keep them. The name of the blog was I.C.O.N. and it was an acronym for: I need God. Christ died for me. Only God can save. New life starts now. In some ways it was a play on the American Idol concept. If anyone is interested, you can find them tagged as ICON Blog. Peace, Zach

This was my newsletter article for June/July. It came out just before Memorial Day, so I thought I would share it here... Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. Psalm 103:1 “America, Bless God!” I remember seeing this phrase on a homemade sign in Chester, VA in the days following September 11, 2001. I thought it interesting and strange at the time. I don’t know who wrote it or why, but I believe they were trying to make a different statement than “God, Bless America.” It reminds me of a time during prayer when Zoe said, “Daddy, you’re being kind of demanding to God.” Of course there is more to it than all of that. Scripture tells us “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” So, there is nothing wrong with asking God to bless America, but there is more to it than that. A blessing can mean many things. We often think of it as getting something good. Som...

Leigh Peterson is a phenomenal young woman who runs a non-profit without pay and works for another one to pay the bills.  She takes in strays (people - not cats), and has been recognized in the community for her hard work.  She lives her faith, albeit imperfectly, as intentionally as she is able to.  Leigh has been suffering from something they can't define for a few months now.  She becomes dizzy and disoriented and has other neurological symptoms.  They have ruled out most of the major stuff (cancer, tumor, etc.).  They have monitored her heart to check for arrhythmia, and she is currently undergoing a sleep study.  Please pray that God will offer clarity.  Not because Leigh is so good - which she is even though she would deny it.  Pray for her because God is good.  Please pray that God's sustaining presence will be evident, that a diagnosis will be achieved, and that a treatment plan will be developed.  Oh, and that she has sweet...

Well, we finally did it.  The PC(USA) took a demonstrative stand on the issue of homosexuality, and it has become quite the media sensation without and quite the firestorm within.  I will admit to voting in favor of this amendment, and I will tell you why.  Primarily I felt the former language of the rule limiting ordained office (ministers, elders, and deacons) to those "faithful in marriage and chaste in singleness" to be disingenuous.  The church had no desire to become the bedroom police of it's heterosexual leadership, and no desire to take a stand on issues related to sexual promiscuity.  The language was simply there to keep a gate closed to homosexuals and to turn a blind eye to those following social norms.  I do not mean to say that the norm of marriage between a man and a woman is bad.  I mean to say that we all know which speed limits are enforced and where to push the limit. Beyond the double standard of the language, there are gays and ...

It is so hard to be thankful on a daily basis - especially during the season of Lent.  This is not the season for thankfulness.  It is the season for feeling undeserving, or so it seems at times.  Either way, it is a time to consider the blessings of God that we have received.  Some time ago I remember my sister challenging me to list all the things that I am thankful for.  I couldn't do it.  There was too much.  It is always easier to focus on the things we regret or that we wish were not so. That has been a tough one in the Sasser house today.  We had a great morning celebrating Earth Day at the Lafayette Middle School.  My daughter climbed a 30' inflatable rock wall, made a candle out of bee's wax, and got to touch a preserved shark.  What will she report?  "We didn't get to go canoeing!" As for me, I had some great time with my family today.  I had an opportunity to sit and visit with church elders who are passionate ab...