Pastor Dan speaks to Shiloh Church's annual covenant renewal by reciting the historic Wesley Covenant Prayer and inviting members into a deeper, intentional relationship with God and one another. The episode explains changes inspired by the Global Methodist Church’s membership guidelines, outlines four membership pillars—spiritual formation (discipleship), worship, stewardship, and service—and offers a call to renewed commitment, repentance, and grace-filled restoration.

Pastor Dan reflects on Isaiah 55 and his renewal leave, sharing a personal mountaintop story and the surprising moment when God met him in the valley. The sermon traces biblical examples—Ruth, Joseph, Mary—and shows how God's grace often arrives in unplanned, humble moments. He urges listeners to embrace "holy serendipity" by surrendering rigid plans, deepening prayer and scripture, and expecting God's unexpected work in the year ahead as they go further up and further in.

On the winter solstice, this message acknowledges the pain and grief many feel during the holiday season and invites the congregation to sit with one another in presence rather than offering empty words. The preacher emphasizes that grief is a natural response to permanent change, that God is present in our sorrow, and that the light of Christ offers enduring hope even through the longest nights.

This sermon for the third Sunday of Advent invites listeners to rediscover the joy of Christmas by embracing Christ’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s work in the world.It urges Christians to live with calm reasonableness, recognize Christ in both sacred and secular moments, and become a peaceful, generous presence wherever they go.

This is a "Deep Dive" AI generated discussion of the message delivered on December 7, 2025 (also available here). It was created using Google's NotebookLM. Enjoy! 

Readings from Isaiah 9 and James 5 frame a message about shalom — the deep, lasting peace offered through Christ — and how that peace shines in the shadows of our uncertain world.The episode explores living in the "in‑between" (the now and the not yet), calling listeners to patience, humility, and faithful witness as they wait for Christ’s return.

Pastor Dan explores the meaning of Advent through Isaiah 2, Romans 13, and Matthew 24, contrasting modern Christmas consumerism with the early Christian expectation of Christ’s return. It emphasizes the promise of God’s final judgment over evil and the hope of Christ reigning over all creation. Listeners are called to move from merely believing in Jesus to believing Jesus—being born again, living watchfully, and preparing their hearts for the coming King.

On Christ the King Sunday Pastor Dan reads Luke 23:33–43 and reflects on Jesus’s paradoxical kingship—reigning not with worldly power but through sacrificial love on the cross. He contrasts the mocking thief who sought earthly rescue with the penitent thief who trusted Jesus and received the promise of paradise.Drawing from Colossians and Revelation, the sermon encourages gratitude for temporary blessings while keeping hope in the eternal kingdom, urging listeners to live under Christ’s sovereign reign.

Using readings from Exodus, Hebrews, and Revelation, this sermon explores how spiritual life is not about reaching a final arrival but about recognizing God in each waypoint of the journey.The speaker shares lessons from a renewal leave, urging daily discipleship, active pursuit of holiness, and the invitation to move "further up and further in" toward deeper intimacy with God now.

Pastor Dan reflects on prayer and the biblical stories of Jacob and Joseph (Genesis 32–50 and Hebrews 11) to show how God turns our weaknesses and wounds into blessings and new identity. Through metaphor, scripture, and personal testimony, the episode encourages leaning into dependence on God, practicing regular prayer, forgiving others, and trusting that God can graft a new, redemptive story from our brokenness.

Read Luke 15:17 and hear the familiar parable of the prodigal son retold with a focus on sonship, God’s overflowing grace, and the path from repentance to transformation.This episode reflects on the father’s extravagant love, practical steps for prayer (PAUSE, REJOICE, ASK, YIELD), and how repentance opens the way for lasting change and restoration.

Pastor Dan explores Matthew 25's parable of the ten virgins to show that the real issue is not lamps but the oil of daily prayer. Drawing on his renewal leave, the stories of Daniel and the wedding at Cana, he encourages listeners to practice regular, focused prayer—uncluttered and rhythmic—to recognize Jesus' voice and be ready for his coming. Through personal reflection and biblical examples, the sermon invites believers to relax, spend intentional time with God, and cultivate a consistent prayer life that fuels spiritual readiness and authentic witness.

Pastor Dan reads from Isaiah 55 and reflects on a season of spiritual drought and renewal during his leave. Using the image of rain on parched ground, he shares how preparing the soil of the soul—through prayer, repentance, and releasing long-held burdens—opens us to God’s refreshing Word. The message emphasizes immediate response to the Spirit, forgiveness as freedom, and practical habits for receiving God’s renewing grace so we can bear fruit and walk in new life.

After a season of intentional rest and spiritual renewal, Pastor Dan returns grateful and refreshed, thanking the congregation and staff for their faithfulness. He recounts deep recalibration, honest reflection, and moments of writing, prayer, and family time that renewed his calling. He celebrates the church's growth in his absence, the courage of guest speakers and youth, and invites the congregation to keep moving "further up and further in" toward God's heart—embracing Sabbath rest, mentorship, and an ongoing journey of transformation.

Pastor Dan is back after a fulfilling renewal leave. Messages will resume here October 13, 2025. Thank you for your patience. 

Pastor Dan will be away from here for a short break. His recordings will resume October 2025.

This is another AI generated "deep dive" created within Google's Notebook LM. It may not be entirely accurate about subtle details. For example Steve Seitz was the founding pastor of Shiloh, not "a long time member" as described. Katrina is not Pastor Dan's wife, as described last week. Still, the discussion is very insightful and enriches the overall value of the recent sermon message. Enjoy, and let us know what you think. 

In a heartfelt message, Pastor Dan shares his mixed feelings about taking a renewal leave, emphasizing the necessity of rest and spiritual growth after years of continuous service. With honesty and vulnerability, he expresses gratitude for the support from his congregation while reflecting on his nearly thirty years of ministry, eight as pastor at Shiloh Church. Pastor Dan reminisces about the challenges and triumphs experienced together, drawing parallels to biblical journeys of renewal. As Pastor Dan prepares to step away temporarily, he discusses his hopes for both personal rejuvenation and the future of Shiloh Church. He envisions a period of spiritual retreat, reflection, and rediscovering his intimacy with God, while encouraging the congregation to continue their journey of discipleship and leadership development. This episode is a profound testament to the importance of rest, the power of community support, and the anticipation of God's unfolding plans. Pastor Dan invites the church family to embrace this season with faith and excitement for what lies ahead.

Hear's an experiment with an AI generated discussion of Pastor Dan's latest sermon, "Embracing the Sabbath Reset: A Journey to Spiritual Renewal". It was created using Google's NotebookLM. Let us know what you think. 

In this message, Pastor Dan will explore the profound significance of the Sabbath as a critical component of discipleship, comparing it to a reset button for our lives. Much like rebooting a malfunctioning device, Sabbath is about detaching from everyday distractions to restore our spiritual health and harmony with God. The discussion highlights Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of Jubilee and encourages us to trust and embrace faith in His grace. We delve into practical steps towards achieving true Sabbath rest, emphasizing the importance of self-love and renewing critical relationships—in particular, our relationship with ourselves, God, and others. As we align our hearts and minds with God's spirit, we discover the ability to extend grace and love to those around us. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to tune into God’s rhythm and seek intimate connections that transcend worldly achievements. Join us as we receive God's call to Sabbath rest, where we learn to breathe in sync with Him and transform our lives through His holy grace.