An Unlikely Christian
Hi, I am Tom Neary, founder of Pastor Unlikely. I am glad you are here. No matter your current relationship with Jesus, your perspective, or what brought you here, you are welcome and appreciated individually. We may never meet, but I care about you as a person and I want to help.
(Please feel free to reach out directly to me at pastorunlikely@gmail.com.)
About Me and Why it Matters
God gave me a love of people. This love makes me honestly want good things for you. I want to help despite not knowing you. He also had me walk through really hard times before Jesus, which is why I include my story here. I share it so that you understand two important things:
1 – No matter where you are right now, I have either been there or was in a similar life situation. This is not meant to minimize your pain or to say that I understand it completely. Life is far too complex for that. Rather, it is to let you know that I am not preaching at you. My goal is to come alongside of you and share what the Lord and others did for me.
2 – More importantly, there is always hope. If Jesus saved me despite how determined I was to be lost, He can save anyone. Jesus led me out of those dark valleys and saved me from me. He then patiently showed me how to live an entirely new way. He is there to save you and grow you in the same way. No one is beyond hope and every Christian can walk closely with Jesus.
Though I write about myself, it is only so that you can know more about the greatness of Jesus.
Who am I?
I am the kid who grew up in the chaos and dysfunction of an alcoholic family.
I am the kid who hid under the covers trying to stop my ears with my stuffed bunny so I could not hear the yelling and things crashing in the house.
I am the kid who hoped his dad would show up for him, was crushed when he didn’t, or hoped that his dad would leave when he showed up falling down drunk.
I am the kid who worried about my single mom scraping by financially and feared what would happen when she didn’t.
I am the kid who started drinking at 12 years old.
I am the unsupervised teenager who desperately wanted to fit in but was bad at doing so.
I am the guy who sought out all the things of the world to prove my significance.
I am guy who spent my early adulthood cynical, angry, and arguing against Jesus.
I am the guy who worked hard to grab onto the security, stability, and prosperity I never had as a kid, but found when I had it, it did not fix the pain I had inside me.
I am the guy who struggled with alcohol for most of my life and who spent years drinking every day.
I am the guy who had no plans of being saved and certainly none about becoming a pastor.
Despite all of the above and much more, I am also the guy who Jesus saved dramatically.
Admitting to my wife that I was an alcoholic was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I needed to stop drinking but did not know how. She responded with love, mercy, and grace and gently shared that she already knew that. She then suggested that we pray together, which we did in our living room. I went down on my knees with my bride with no expectations and something amazing happened. So the most important things about me:
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10
I am the guy who went down on my knees haunted by a desire to drink that had plagued me for decades.
I am the guy who stood up and knew that I was not only free, but that it was through a miracle of Jesus.
Since that moment, I set out to get to know Jesus and His Word the best that I can and to share Him with others.
I didn’t go from totally lost to living a joyful Christian life in the moment I was saved. It took research, Bible study, and discipleship. It took willingness to face my fears, failings, and strongholds. It also took Christians willing to disciple me, to share what they learned, and help me on my way.
Pastor Unlikely exists to do the same for you. I write to encourage you in the journey and help you avoid the pitfalls.
Are you searching? Are you interested in God but have questions?
Come and let’s talk about it.
Are you living a life that is not satisfying and wonder if there is something more?
Do you know that things are not what they should be?
Come, sit, and stay for a while. .
Congratulations on becoming a member of the many believers. I appreciate your visit to my blog and hope you will stop in again as you like!
Steve
I need christian advise, What should I do about the authorities writing lies about me for court. When the life I once lived is long past. help
Hi Afi – I am sorry you are going through troubles and that you have put the life you once lived in the past. That is wonderful. Your question is a really hard one for me to answer without knowing by itself. I would recommend speaking with a pastor that is local to you and with whom you have a relationship or can have a relationship and/or a lawyer. I will pray for you as you face these challenges! God bless you .
Do you have social media I can follow you on (or friend on Facebook?) Seems you have some solid theology here and I’d love to follow you further, but I don’t glance at my WordPress reader much.
No sorry Rebecca, just here. Thank you for the compliment – just trying to stay true to the Word.
Thank you for liking my post: “Entertaining Angels: The Sales Rep.”
You are welcome. It is a great post!
Pastor Unlikely, I just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award because I believe more people need to recognize what a blessing your blog is. Please do not feel obligated to participate in the rules, nor rush if you do. I just wanted to use the opportunity the Lord has given me to let you know your blog is appreciated, and to lead others to it through the link on my page. May God continue to bless you and your blog. God loves you!
https://gaillovesgod.blog/2017/11/19/thankful-2017-2-blogger-recognition-award-11-18-17/
Hi Gail,
Thank you! That is very nice of you to do. I appreciate it. It is a busy week for me, but I will participate when I get a chance next week. You have definitely blessed me this Thanksgiving Eve!
Tom
Praise God it was a blessing! Exactly what it’s suppose to be! 🙂 Take all the time best for you! Happy Thanksgiving, Tom!!
It’s great to finally talk to you, Pastor,
My name is God’s Warrior and I wanted to thank you for following my blog because it’s humbling to know how much of an impact God is allowing me to have on people’s lives. I am going to be reading your blog post about Sin and by the title, I can tell it’s going to be good.
I just wanted to know something; What was it about my blog that you decided to follow?
Hi – good to talk with you as well. I followed because I liked the title and the plan for what you were covering. Seemed like good content.
Hello, I am Akshata. I am a newbie to blogging and have started up recently. Would request you to have a look and help with suggestions for improvement.
Hi Akshata – welcome to the blogging world! I hope you enjoy it. Looked at your site – it looks good. Great job.
Thank you:)
Good day sir and blessings to you. Thank you for stopping by hisnamebpraised and liking a recent post. I pray blessings not only to and for you but also to all who would come into fellowship with you through this blog and other circumstances. In Jesus Christ’s Name. Sincerely, Doug
Thanks Doug. I enjoyed your work and will pray the same for you!
Ha! My Brother? Did expect you liking my comment, for sure. That’s doubtful me. Anyhow? It really amuses me the way Father fools and makes a believer out of me. Silly me, I should say.
In reading your About, I am fascinated with the accuracy of the way the Spirit of our Father/Creator deals with each one of us individually. The way He teaches us the meaning of Yahushua’s words. The meaning of the whole of the written words from Genesis to Revelation, and?
The way we react at each stage of His teaching. It’s really a joy to pass from one grade to the next. Only His way of grading us? No failures for sure. It’s all timing. Been called to journal my life to witness of the work He has done in me. My take of His commission?
I wanted to setup my ministry–I called it, Broken to Serve. I beg to be put on the stand to give my testimony. I wanted to help my people big time. Guess what?
A word came to my dear spiritual Sister Frances, “Thia, the Lord wants you to minister to Him with your writings.” A few days after I hear her but did not understand her meaning? I attended a meeting with a guest Pastor. At that time after the preaching? many of us stood in line to hear a word from the speaker.
Sure enough, my turn came. My request? How can I minister to my people? His response? “I believe the Lord wants you to minister to Him and forget about people.” I looked at Frances standing next to that brother. I thought for sure she had told him what to tell me, but Frances said to the brother, “That’s exactly what the Lord gave to me for thia.” Wow!
I went home and? From that day on? I have not falter one single day in this glorious ministry to Him. Why I refer to Him as my Father? Because that’s His command. “In this matter you shall pray, “Our Fathe…” Then? He said many times, “I and the Father are ONe.” Then He said, “Abide in Me.” Then He said, “The Father is greater than Me.”
Finally after all these 33 years? He has made clear the meaning of His words. If I am abiding in Yahushua? I am abiding in the Son. So? It should be obvious that I am abiding in Yahushua. The immensity of the love in my heart for the Father? That’s Yahushua’s love for Him.
What is the love of Yahuahua? What does it mean to love Yahushua? It means to obey Him. To do what He tells us to do even if we do not agree or feel like doing it. Feelings and emotionalism is not impressive to Him, but! He tolerates it because He knows the plan He has for us despite our emotional worship.It takes a life time for Him to sober us up.
For me? It took 79 minus the last 9 years for Him to sober me up. He brought me to the wilderness of this people to judge me face to face. Talking about sobering me up? Yeap! And it’s not over yet! Hahaha! His discipline hurts but O the joy the results are.
Anyhow? In retrospect? I see my journey in your journey, and? Rather than forming an opinion about you? It makes my heart rejoice! It amuses me to see the Father at work in each one of us. You are so especial to Him, and? So am I for sure. Hahaha! HalleluYah!
BTW Why I use the Hebrew name Yahushua instead of the English name. When one come to these parts? One learns the importance of the native name. Our Saviour was a Hebrew, thus, His name is Hebrew. Much to learn about all of that. Rather? Much He is now revealing to us all.
much love, thiaBasilia. 🙂
Dear Pastor,
I read your article about how your wife helped lead you to God (part 1) i was wondering if you have finished part 2 yet? I am eager to read this as your story has truly inspired and ENCOURAGED me greatly. Please do write me back. I would love to hear more on this if you wouldn’t mind.
Thank you so much
Amy
This is a wonderfully honest post, thank you! I related to much of it. My church experience was quite empty, and when it wasn’t empty it was stressful pressure to “do” and “be like everyone else” in the church. It was DRY, no living water or bread of life to be found. But it’s true that the Lord God is ever seeking the ones who are truly seeking Him–He could see me floundering, and during Easter week 2011, the entire Holy Trinity showed up in my living room–Oh what a Day!!! I’ve never been the same since–not a perfect saint, still deal with depression–but what JOY I have in spending time with Him, reading the Word like it’s an adventure tale!
The intimate personal relationship Jesus invites us into is a gift of Holy Spirit revelation, I’m convinced–because all my “trying” didn’t achieve it. And I’m finding that you can’t explain it to someone else in hopes they’ll jump on board too–their eyes just glaze over, they can’t see or hear or feel what you’re saying. So that’s where prayer comes in–I was reading in Genesis where Abraham’s servant, having been sent to find a wife for Isaac, prayed that God would show His “unfailing love” to the people he encountered; and that’s what I’m doing now, in hopes that those who need the Living Lord in their lives (and on the throne of their lives–that was a major turning point for me, too!) will be so attracted to Him that they won’t be able to resist Him anymore. Okay, I’ve taken up too much Comment space with my jabbering–but I’m a sister to you now, like it or leave it😊 May God abundantly bless you and your family!
Hi Rene – I am sorry. Your comment did not show up properly for me somehow and I am just seeing it. Thank you for the encouragement. Praise God for His rescuing you as well! Please comment as much as you are so moved, sister, it is such a joy to hear from other believers who are sharing that life changing perfect love of Jesus. The world can spend its time striving and “doing”, let us as the family of God spend it rejoicing and loving!
Thanks for your reply, I was wondering about the delay. God bless.
The perils of dealing with a spam filter. It keeps all of the bad comments out but occasionally a blessing like yours gets derailed. Life on this earth, I suppose.
So true, nothing’s perfect on Earth–and ‘Spam guardian’ is usually a good thing! Blessings to you!
Hi Tom, I noticed you gave a review on the film The Shack and I wondered if you have come across a book called The Common Rule by Justin Whitmil Earley’s ? I am feeling a little bit uncomfortable with it for certain reasons and I just wondered if you have any thoughts on it.
Hi – I’m sorry, I have not heard of it until your question. Do you want to bounce what is making you uncomfortable off of me? Sometimes even just the action of writing it out helps me clarify why my alarm bells are ringing.
I’ve been asking myself the same question. “How could this be the same Christianity that I was living?” To a degree had been doing outreach. But lately I’ve been sidelined with heart surgery and moreso with the recovery. Also being 75 and other health issues besides plus COVID has kept me indoors most of or almost all of the time. My continued rehab at home is going slower than it needs to. I need to get back to the spiritual hunger that you remind all of. Thanks. And thanks for the example of reaching out through your blog. I’ve just been writing and waiting for people to find my blog. I’m disingenuios in not seeking out other bloggers. I need to get the ordinary in my life together in order to do more personal outreach.
Thanks for the encouragement, friend! Let me now encourage you by saying it is ok to take it easy on yourself. It has been a rough year for all of us – seems like more so for you. Sometimes our job in the Lord is to be the one sitting at His feet and just enjoying Him like Mary at her house in Bethany. Rest in Him is a good thing. Sounds like He has been working during on you during your recovery. Hope you are feeling better.
You are the Balm of Gilead. Thx
Tom, read your article regarding the YMCA, and it is sadly true, I would like to know which of the 2900 YMCA’s in America you got this picture from? Also have you looked at any of the Worldwide YMCA’s – I only ask because I am a Christian Mission Director for a YMCA and I have been with them for 28 years. Ministry within the YMCA can often feel like salmon swimming against the stream, but some of us do make it and manage to be used by Jesus for the advancement of His kingdom. He still equips those He calls, even in the most unlikely places. I could not agree more with the sad state of our mission drift. However here is some hopeful information. Several YMCA’s in the USA still have chaplains, Christian Mission Directors, and even Christian churches within YMCA’s. And for the past eight years every Monday morning (yes, even if it’s a holiday) brothers and sisters gather on a call to read scripture and pray for the YMCA. Our heritage is rich with faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray with the words of one of the YMCA’s founding fathers, Luther Wishard, “where water once flowed, let it flow again, do it again Lord.”
fun fact* next week October 11th is the 200th anniversary of the birth of our founder George Williams.
Loved reading your story, Tom. You make me yearn for real Christianity. Are you in a church of authentic believers now? I hope so. Just a note on your website — not sure if it is my computer or yours but the slide out menu at left blocks reading your posts. I am sure I will be back. Thank you!
Hi Candace – thanks for the comment. It is very encouraging for you to say that as that is exactly my goal – to make people yearn for real Christianity. I know it can be hard to find, but it is worth the search, no matter how long it takes.
Yes, I am in a church of authentic believers now and I am very grateful for them. We are far from perfect, but we are committed to humility, not trying to put on a show, and loving and supporting each other – even if it is hard. My wife and I planted the church with the goal from the Lord to try to never let anyone feel invisible or unloved because they don’t fit into someone else mold – kind of like Jesus did:) God has shown me what His love really looks like since then.
Thanks on the site issue as well – I think I fixed it.
God bless you,
Tom
Hi,
This is not going to be a popular Q, but it is a necessary one. In my opinion.
You want to grow closer to God,
You want Jesus Christ in your life,
You want Him to guide you through life,
You want His will as opposed to your own will, yes???
Then..why are you (I’m assuming) still a protestant?!
Why are you not a Catholic?
And please, I beg you, don’t reply as so many do, “..because we worship Mary…because we worship statues..” That is a deliberate lie.That is untrue, and that accusation has been refuted more times than there are stars in the sky.
Sadly though, many protestant pastors ignore rebuttals of these untrue accusations and continue to claim that Catholics are not Christians, that we are idol worshippers. Those kinds of accusations come from satan, not from God. There are 40 thousand plus denominations of protestants, they all think they have the fullness of truth. Yet, Jesus created only ONE Church, and gave teaching authority to only ONE Church.
Here’s an interesting titbit…
If satan were to destroy all 40 thousand protestant denominations, what would he have achieved?
Answer: NOTHING AT ALL
The Catholic Church would still remain, and it would be bigger than ever, and more powerful than ever.
He would have shot himself in the hoof.
He knows that, and that is why the children of satan, Satanists and the free masons have for centuries concentrated their efforts to destroy the Catholic Church, for if he was to succeed, he would have destroyed all Christianity, Catholicism and Protestantism. That fact alone proves that the Catholic Church is the TRUE CHURCH OF GOD.
Thankfully God has promised that the gates of hell will NEVER prevail against His Catholic Church.
In fact, Martin Luther was satan’s greatest success.
Hi Alan – I appreciate the comment and the zeal, even though I obviously disagree with you.
It is interesting, you say that Martin Luther was Satan’s greatest success story but I assume that you own a Bible, feel entitled to read it, and believe you can understand it. That is thanks to Martin Luther and the Reformers. Before the Reformation, regular folks like you and I were deemed to unholy and not worthy to read or own the Bible by the Catholic Church. Do you take communion – wine and bread? That was Luther too as the Catholic Church’s doctrine viewed the sacrament as too holy for folks like us. Do you believe you are able to pray to God? Do you have individual worth? Are you required to work as an unpaid slave on church land for 10% of your year with no opportunity to object? Luther and the Reformation was responsible for getting rid of all that as well. Do you read a Bible in English? The Holy Spirit miraculously translated the words of Peter into many languages on the day of Pentecost to allow people to understand the Gospel in their language so this is great that you do. Yet, the Catholic Church killed people when they dared to translated the Bible from Latin (a language that Jesus and the Disciples did not speak) into English. This was Luther and the Reformers again. Many of the practices that you take for granted in the Catholic Church are a result of the work of Luther, are they from Satan as well?
But you asked a question so I will answer it. Why am I not a Catholic? I don’t believe the Bible or history supports the claims of the Catholic Church to being the successor church to Peter, to being the One True Church, or being anything like the church that it claims to succeed.
Historically, there is very little evidence that Peter was the bishop of Rome. There is ahistorical reference to Peter AND Paul founding that church, but there is no evidence he was there and acting as a bishop. There is also no contemporary historical evidence that the head of the church of Rome should have any authority over the wider church. The early church of the Bible has no hints of such a position. The historical records show the bishops of the churches treated each other as equals. The Council of Nicea that was called by the Roman Emperor to determine church issues that were big in the 300’s was not even led by the Bishop of Rome. It is not until later – the 400’s and on that the Roman Church started to make the claim that their Bishop was higher than anyone else, and guess what the rest of the church said? They denied that and refused to agree. The Catholic Church itself did not even begin to argue that Jesus was establishing the Catholic Church in the passage with Peter until centuries later. The church of Acts and for hundreds of years after Jesus almost uniformly denies the claims upon which the Catholic Church claims to be the One True Church with unbroken line to Peter.
In fact, directly related to this point, the heirarchy of the church that was in Rome as of 300 or so moved along with the Roman Emperor from Rome to Constantinople. They Eastern Orthodox Church has been there since that time and claims to be the successor of Peter based on this switch. The leader of that church has denied the claims regarding the Bishop of Rome for 2,000 years. The Ethiopian Church is likely older than the Roman Church as it was established through the Eunuch from Acts and has been in existence since that time. So the claim that this current Roman Catholic church is the one from the time of Jesus and was the only one through history is untrue.
Then there is the fact that the Roman Church did not really become what it is until at least the 8th Century. At that point, the Western Roman Empire was cut off from the East by the Franks and other tribes. The Roman Church stepped into the power vacuum and took over the secular ruling of the area. They made deals with the Franks to secure their position as princes of the earth and proceeded to build their secular power over the next 800 years. Much of the practices and trappings come from this time period – the robes and trappings of priests etc are from this time. The hugely wealthy DeMedici banking family was hugely influential in this rise as they used the positions to expand their power. Many of the popes were put in place after their family bought the position. They raised armies, waged war on other Christians, and oppressed the peasants. They killed anyone who threatened their power. This is what allowed them to cement the argument that they are the One True Church in the mind of many western people. They did not allow anyone to argue against it. They burned Jan Hus 100 years for asking about the doctrines of grace. They tried to kill Luther.
Then there are the many doctrines of the church that have followed this pattern that are contradicted by the clear Word of God. You say don’t bring up Mary – but claiming she is a co-redemptrix and sinless is a horrible affront to the sole mediator, Jesus. Claiming that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is insufficient and believers need to go through purgatory greatly demeans the completed work of Christ.
There is more – but the short version is that the claims of the Catholic Church don’t make sense and are unsupported. That is why I am not Catholic. Why you are is between you and Jesus.
Thank you for this answer to Alan. I too have dealt with people who are Roman Catholics and they are also loathe to try to discuss the differences because the other pastor was unkind and cutting in their remarks. I try to debate these issues with others in a loving and patient way. Many, not all, of these folks have not been saved or “born again” so they really cannot understand the truth because they don’t have the Spirit of God in them. What you said to Alan was very truth and the way you presented it to him was very kind as Paul said we should be in I Corinthians 13.
Thanks for the kind comments! You are spot on with 1 Corinthians 13 and, funnily enough, it was that chapter that taught me of the need to be loving even when I strongly disagree with someone. It is so easy to get caught up in scoffing or disliking a person who disagrees with you, but that just makes us a clanging gong. God bless you!
Shalom pastor Tom!I am trying to find the name of Church to which one you belong?
Hi – the church I belong to is Calvary Living Hope church. We are just outside of Baltimore, Md.
Pastor thank you I happen upon your website. I was reading your answer too why do we call ourselves born again and what do we believe? It was very helpful as I was studying about Nicodemus and John the Baptist in John. I had learned that John the Baptist was humble and bold at the same time. But I’d like to statement: (jesus) His followers were expected to be humble lights and salt to the dark world. made my smile thank you once more. Prayers to your ministry. Please pray for my nephew Derek who’s in Iraq now working at Christian hospital as the times are getting tougher there because of what’s happening in the Middle East now, thank you.