The day after Thanksgiving – the one-year anniversary of Robyn’s death – Melissa shared something with me. It was a reflection she had penned on life as we presently know it. She thought about what she would say to Robyn if she had the opportunity to chat with her for a few minutes. As I … Continue reading To Bless the Lord: A Guest Post by Melissa Stearns
Recently I have been teaching through Baptist beliefs in Sunday School. Last week we discussed the idea of individual freedom in regards to belief and church membership. One of the key aspects of a Baptist church is the idea of voluntary association. In some church models, for example the Catholic church, membership is often involuntary. … Continue reading Can a Speeding Ticket Change Your Heart?
Note: This article was originally published in February of 2024. Somehow it became a draft again and I haven’t been able to restore it without republishing. If this feels like déjà vu when you read it, you’re not crazy! The valley is so dark sometimes. I have written about this a little in a previous … Continue reading God Doesn’t Owe Me Kindness
All your friends sit in your living room, having just dined sumptuously at your table, and now take up residence on your furniture. Tea and coffee have been served all around and a lively conversation keeps on going. In a bit, you will break out a game of Settlers of Catan or maybe something more relaxed, like Carcassonne. Much … Continue reading Better Than a Party
Iowa Regular Baptist Camp at night 42 high-school aged guys huddled in the men's staff cabin at a camp. They were from every corner of the state with a few sprinkled in from out of the state. Many serving for a second or third time in the summer. Lifeguards, kitchen staff, archery, maintenance . . … Continue reading Whose life is it anyway?
Sunday Leftovers is an occasional series which shares a few "morsels" from the Sunday sermon. Some leftovers taste better the next day, but God's word always tastes good, no matter when you chew on it. So enjoy the "leftovers" from my pastor's ministry! Running from Responsibilities The first morsel I want to let you "chew … Continue reading Sunday Leftovers – Resting in God’s Presence
Some families have a tradition of a large or special meal on Sundays. We have often stuffed the crockpot to the brim, turned it on before we left for church, and been welcomed home to the smells of tasty food just ready to be eaten. Sometimes it is the Easter meal at my parents. Or … Continue reading Sunday Leftovers – 1/21/24
Robyn wanted her testimony read at her funeral. With a patch over one eye to stop her double vision, and with a finger on her iPhone’s swipe keyboard, Robyn composed her testimony. Sometimes she was able to use her laptop, but the awkward angle of her hospital bed didn't always allow this. But no matter … Continue reading Robyn’s Testimony: Her Final Words to the World
15,409 days. That's how long my dear wife lived on this Earth. When we were dating, we obviously had no idea. When we got engaged, there were no mystical revelation. And when we got married, this number certainly wasn't written on the back of the marriage certificate for us to see. In our twenties we … Continue reading 15,409 Days: Psalm 90 and Wisdom
Thoughts Worth Thinking 