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. →

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 →

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. →

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 →

Four Lessons I learned from My Father

For my Dad, on Father's Day, 2020. Well Dad, it's father's day. This year I want to tell you about a few of the lessons you taught me. I'm very thankful for them, and I'm very thankful for you. Happy Father's Day. 1. Levity is helpful, in nearly all situations. Something I noticed about you … Continue reading Four Lessons I learned from My Father →

A Decidedly Christian Virtue

If you had to pick a list of virtues that mark a consistent Christian, what virtues would make the list? I think there are many virtues we would naturally list (love, joy peace, etc.) and rightly so. But I remember noticing one that flew under my radar. And I only noticed when I began to … Continue reading A Decidedly Christian Virtue →

Summer Breaks

We are on the precipice of summer break at the college I teach at. I just finished two weeks of summer classes. The last of the students are finished with their spring semester. This year the students have been home for about two months. The pandemic meant all students had to leave, and have been … Continue reading Summer Breaks →

A Place To Think

Welcome to my blog. Reading and writing are essential to the Christian's life of the mind. After all, as my former professor (Kevin Bauder) used to say, "writing is thinking." So my meager goal is to cultivate the habit of writing. So much of what we think about in life is simply not developed or … Continue reading A Place To Think →