Faith That Works

The Bow That Points Away Devotional Blog Post by Pastor Jon Burnham After the flood, when the chaos settled and the dove found land, God hung a bow in the clouds. Not a weapon aimed at us, but one pointed away. A promise written in light refracted through water: I will remember. We forget promises. We break them, twist them, qualify them with fine print. But God remembers. Every storm that passes, every sky that clears, there it is again. The color wheel of mercy. What strikes me most isn't just the promise of "no more floods." It's the admission that we're still us. Stubborn. Wayward. Running from callings we don't want to answer. And God knows this. The rainbow doesn't say "because you'll be better now." It says "because I am who I am." Kind of like Jonah, actually. That reluctant prophet spent half his story running from God's mercy (toward Nineveh, no less) and the other half angry that God was merciful anyway. If you've ever wrestled with why grace gets extended to people you'd rather see judged, you're in good company. I wrote about this wrestling match in Jonah's Mission: Mercy, Message, and Metamorphosis . It's a short study, but it sits with the uncomfortable truth that God's mercy is bigger than our scorekeeping. The rainbow reminds us: transformation isn't about us finally getting our act together. It's about God staying committed to the relationship even when we're at our worst. So next time you see one arcing across the sky after a storm, maybe don't just grab your phone for the photo op. Let it be what it is: a love letter written in physics, light bent into beauty, saying I'm still here. I still remember. This isn't over. Dive Deeper Speaking of storms and promises and showing up imperfect, that's what we do every Sunday at St. John's Presbyterian in Houston. We're not the polished megachurch with fog machines and perfect families. We're real people bringing our real mess to a real God who keeps His promises even when we don't. If you're curious what that looks like in practice, I've written some honest reflections about our community: Why St. John's Presbyterian Stands Out , Imperfect Faith in Houston , and What Makes Our Worship Unique . Come see what happens when a church stops pretending and starts remembering that grace is the whole point.

Fall Sermon Series 2025 - Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount by Pastor Jon Burnham This fall at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Houston, we're walking through a sermon series called Kingdom Stewardship: Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount. Each week explores how Jesus' words shape the way we care for what God has entrusted to us—our time, resources, influence, relationships, and faith. True stewardship begins when we recognize that everything belongs to God, and that our role is not ownership but faithful care. Jesus teaches that where our treasure is, our heart will follow, so this series helps us set our hearts on God's kingdom first. If you'd like to go deeper into what it means to live as faithful stewards, I've written a book called Stewardship: Faithful, Fruitful, and Flourishing that explores how stewardship touches every aspect of the Christian life. It's the first book in my Christian Spirituality series, and several St. John's members have found it helpful for personal reflection and small group study. The series weaves together the teachings of Jesus with the rhythms of the church year. As we approach All Saints' Day and Christ the King Sunday, we're reminded that faithful stewardship isn't just about giving—it's about belonging. These special days remind us that our lives are part of something larger: the communion of saints and the reign of Christ that renews all things. We begin October 12 at 11 AM worship with Blessed to Be a Blessing, based on Matthew 5:1–12 and Psalm 24:1–6. The Beatitudes open the Sermon on the Mount with a portrait of kingdom life: humility, mercy, and purity of heart. Psalm 24 reminds us that "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it." Together, they show us that every gift—every moment, every resource, every breath—is a blessing meant to flow outward. We are blessed not for comfort alone, but for service, generosity, and joy in advancing God's purposes on earth. Through this series, we'll rediscover stewardship as a spiritual practice—a way of aligning our daily choices with Christ's vision of the kingdom. Each act of gratitude, compassion, and generosity becomes a small reflection of God's abundance at work in us. Join us for Sunday worship at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 5020 West Bellfort Avenue, Houston, TX 77035. Looking for a Christian church in Houston that values deep Bible teaching and authentic community? We'd love to welcome you. Call 713-723-6262 or visit http://stjohnspresby.org . Learn More About Presbyterian Worship Want to learn more about Presbyterian worship and theology? If you're new to St. John's or curious about what makes Presbyterian worship distinctive, we invite you to explore two helpful articles on our blog. First, discover what sets our tradition apart in Presbyterian Church Houston: What Makes Our Worship Unique . Then, if you've wondered about our approach to church leadership and women in ministry, read Do Presbyterians Allow Female Pastors? . These resources offer a deeper look at the biblical foundations and historical roots that shape our community of faith. Whether you're visiting for the first time or considering making St. John's your church home, these articles will help you understand the heart of who we are as a Presbyterian church in Houston . 

The Epistle for October 8, 2025

The Silence of Heaven: Seeking God When God Feels Distant - Job Sermon Series - Sermon 2 of 5

Job Sermon Series - Sermon 1 of 5 - September 7, 2025

Understanding Women in Presbyterian Ministry

What Makes Our Worship Unique 

Worship and Celebration at St. John's Presbyterian 

Christ the King as Our Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27 Sermon)