Life
Before You Say Yes
It was a blistering hot day hiking in the Tetons. Keeping up with my sons and friends who were in better shape than me was quite a task. There were times they would get ahead of me and, in goodwill, wait till I caught up with them. And then we would all take off again…
Read MoreBeyond Fairness: Understanding God’s Inverted Kingdom
I am sure you have heard a child bemoan something that is not fair. Maybe something like, “My sister can stay up late, but I can’t – that’s not fair.” Or, “He got a bigger piece of cake. That’s not fair!” That’s because fairness is a natural way of making sense of the world for…
Read MoreBeauty Among the Flies: Finding God Amid Distractions
On the way to our cabin is a peacefully flowing mountain stream that tumbles between boulders. It sits in the middle of a forest with pine trees towering above it. As I drove past it during my sabbatical I felt very clearly that God was encouraging me to take the time to walk out into…
Read MoreBe Kind To Yourself
There is a song that I love by an artist named Andrew Peterson titled, Be Kind to Yourself. It is a beautiful ode to the reality that we are often far harder on ourselves than we would ever be on another person (if you’ve never heard it, stop reading and go listen to it right…
Read MoreSummer Reading Guide 2024
For most of us, the summer months bring a mix of busy ministry seasons and (hopefully) a few pockets of relaxation. While we don’t expect pastors and church leaders to be lounging beachside with a book for weeks on end – although more power to you, if you can make that happen, we do hope…
Read MoreWhy Stages of Growth Matter in the Church
As a 13-year-old, my extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins journeyed across the United States from Pennsylvania to California. The month-long trip was carefully planned so that we would arrive at my grandparent’s home on a pre-appointed day. Three cars and 14 people traveled from state to state, stopping at strategic points like the…
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