Strong Winds, Strong Community, Strong Church.

The screen door clanged as it slammed past it's usual opening distance. The piston bent and there was no closing it after that. But 100 mph wind gusts can do that to a flimsy metal door. I just hoped those same winds would leave my basement windows in one piece. On Monday our little town … Continue reading Strong Winds, Strong Community, Strong Church. →

A New Podcast!

Today is an exciting day! A couple of friends and I have created a podcast that we think you'll love. It's called "The Thinklings Podcast". We plan to create weekly episodes during the fall and spring semester. Topics will range all over the map. We will talk about the books we are reading, Bible passages … Continue reading A New Podcast! →

Rom-Com Devotions: What should my time with God look like?

Romantic Comedies and "The Connection"The story that plays out is nothing special. It's the usual that we find in most Rom-Coms (Romantic Comedies) or sitcoms. The guy is minding his own business at a coffee shop, or library, or delivering a package to an office, but then it happens. As he pays for the cup … Continue reading Rom-Com Devotions: What should my time with God look like? →

The Democracy of the Dead

While studying the book of Proverbs, I stumbled on a quote that made me scratch my noggin. But this was only after I gasped in amazement because I thought I agreed with it. “Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses … Continue reading The Democracy of the Dead →

The Most Important Question to Ask in a Trial.

Jerry Bridges gives us the key to understanding trials in his book Trusting God. For those who have had a share of suffering and adversity, this nugget will be helpful. Bridges uses Job as a Biblical example of someone who experienced suffering and affliction. Bridges points out that Job asks God the same question we … Continue reading The Most Important Question to Ask in a Trial. →

Catalogue of Tributes to Dr. Myron Houghton

Monday is the day of Myron Houghton's funeral. Because of Covid-19 seating restrictions, it will also be lived-streamed here. While we grieve his absence, we do not grieve in hopelessness. He knew the Savior, the Lord of Lords. On Monday, we remember his life and ministry to us. But on Monday, as his is at … Continue reading Catalogue of Tributes to Dr. Myron Houghton →

Theology, Puns, and the Love of God: A tribute to Dr. Myron Houghton.

Dr. Bauder stared over his handle bar mustache. I knew I had said something that didn’t quite add up. His eyebrows communicated as much. Brett Williams had asked me a question, and I answered it in what I thought was a straightforward manner. But his confused look told me something was amiss. Another student asked … Continue reading Theology, Puns, and the Love of God: A tribute to Dr. Myron Houghton. →

Putting the LIT in LITerature

"A good book captures something about life, but in the end, it captures us readers as well."

Caffeine, zip lines, and the Word of God.

A climbing tower, a blob, bumper boats, archery, make-your-own tie-dyed shirts, buffet style food, campfires, disc golf, squinny ball, prayer walk, snake hill, frog pond....these are not even half of the entire list of all that a family can enjoy at family camp during the summer. I was able to be at family camp this … Continue reading Caffeine, zip lines, and the Word of God. →

Back to the 90’s: A Lesson from Youth Ministry

It was 1998. That sentence alone should strike fear into your heart. Ok, maybe not fear. But it should do something to you. The nineties were . . . well, grungy, rebellious, and low-tech. Businesses still used pagers, but some people had cell phones. Texting had been invented, but no one had heard about it. … Continue reading Back to the 90’s: A Lesson from Youth Ministry →