I’m so excited to announce the launch of my latest book, Forming Faith, which I co-authored with two of my friends, Matt Markins and Mike Handler. Our heart behind this project was to help inform with the latest research, inspire with time-tested methods, and educate with engaging stories and life experiences. Each chapter teases out the […]
My New Book Forming Faith Is OUT NOW!! Read More »
We live in a world of perpetual outrage. We march for war and against war. We march for women and for babies. We block streets to save whales, turtles, and the polar ice cap. Long after we are too old to march or too sick to care about the turtles, we will realize too late
The Most Subversive Thing You Can do is Start a Family Read More »
We tend to think that our current cultural moment is the worst it has ever been. We tend to think that the past was much better, and things progressively worsen daily. Likewise, we tend to over-romanticize the past and long for the “good ole days.” Eric Metaxas, writing about the English Reformer William Wilberforce, said:
Revival of the Ordinary Read More »
Today my little blog is old enough to drive. A lot of life happens in 16 years. Sixteen years ago, my oldest was two our other three children were unborn. We would never have even considered owning a dog. There were many tears that had not been shead ther were many joys we had yet
5 Things I Learned From Blogging For 16 Years Read More »
I have felt its approach in the back of my mind, O Lord, like a burden tilting toward me across the calendar. I have felt its long approach, and now it has arrived. This is the day that marks the anniversary of my loss, and waking to it, I must drink again from the stream
A Liturgy for the Anniversary of a Loss Read More »
One of the things I enjoy doing is finding new or novel ways to do things that make life easier or more enjoyable. I remember ten years ago when online rewards systems were just coming online, and I started BibleBucks 2.0 to help churches streamline and digitize incentives. We still use BibleBucks 2.0 in our
How ChatGPT Can Make You a Better Pastor. Read More »
This summer has been crazy like most summers. It was so busy that an important milestone was passed, and I missed it. I just realized this week that this is my 26th summer in the same place. For some of you, that sounds unattainable. For others, I’m just getting started. It has been a battle,
25 Years in the Same Place Read More »
One of the more difficult things I have had to do in my years of pastoral ministry is talk with kids about death. Explaining death and sorrow to kids has a profound influence on kids and a refining influence on us. Recently a friend of mine gave me a book to read written by Jonathan
Helping Kids Deal with Sorrow and Death. Read More »
I bought a new Bible. A new Bible for myself and not for my kids. Purchasing a new Bible for myself is something I haven’t done in a long time. I bought a Bible for when I preach and for my devotional use when I am finished doing a devotional Bible for each of my
I Bought a New Bible. Read More »
In a culture where fear is ever-present and all-pervasive, we turn to almost anything to find comfort and to find help. There are a million things to be afraid of thanks to the internet and COVID; that number has tripled. One of the most repeated phrases in scripture is “fear not” “Do not be afraid.”
