Giving Thanks in 2020
2020 has been and continues to be a difficult year for many. So can we get a pass on giving thanks and simply agree that this year sucks?
Read MoreHow Stories Shape Us
Stories have the power to shape our worldview - how we believe the world functions and what our place in it is. But the big question remains - how do we judge the stories we tell? How do we know what stories are true?
Read MoreIf Only My Opa Met Bonhoeffer
My Opa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were both German. My Opa was a soldier in Hitler’s army. Bonhoeffer did all he could to oppose the Nazi state. How is this possible? One reason is that Bonhoeffer believed a very different narrative about Germany, Hitler, and those who were different from him.
Read MoreAn Ode to the Bode
In 2008, I went to Germany to attend Bible School at Bodenseehof. Were it not for COVID-19, the halls of the Bode would be full once again. I am sad that the school year has been postponed, but it’s also got me thinking about my time there.
Read MoreThe Gift of Rest
If we want to live as God intended, we need to include rhythms of sabbath - times when we stop and take a break from that which we consider “work." I find this extremely difficult because rest often feels unproductive and selfish. But it’s something I continue to work on.
Read MoreFinding the Kingdom of God at Camp
A few months ago, I thought any hope of still running summer camp this year was gone for good. But I’m so thankful that our camps have found an innovative way to open up their space to kids this year. Once again, I got to witness the kingdom of God at work.
Read MoreWhen Our Freedom Costs Others
Is wearing a mask an infringement of our freedoms? How should we respond to all the rules and regulations that are in place because of COVID-19? Surprisingly, Paul addresses how to deal with our freedoms in 1 Corinthians 8.
Read MoreGod Our Mother
I’ve heard a lot of fathers tell me that having kids has taught them more about God. But for me, at least for now, observing my wife be the mother of our child has taught me more about God than my role as a father.
Read MoreNever Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste
There’s an old saying: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” It often refers to people taking advantage of others during a crisis in order to get ahead. It’s not usually positive, but I think Christians should take time to consider it seriously.
Read MoreMissing Out On "God Moments"
This week we heard that some of our camping ministries have decided to cancel their programs for the summer due to COVID-19. Although I agree with the decisions, it saddens me because I was really looking forward to meeting God at camp again this year.
Read MoreWriting a Psalm for Clara
The Psalms are people's own prayers, poems, and songs that express thankfulness, praise, sorrow, pain, or lament before God. If I were to write my own Psalm today, this is how it would go.
Read MoreThe View from the Empty Tomb
Although we don’t always know what God is doing in our lives and in our world, we do notice when we’re going through dark times. But it’s often only when we come out of it on the other side that we realize how God has been with us and worked through those times to bring us life.
Read MoreLoving Away Fear - A Good Friday Reflection
I’ve often wondered what was going through the apostle Peter’s head during the last few hours of Jesus’s life. I can imagine the fear not only in Peter, but in all those around Jesus. It seems that Jesus was the only one who was not overtaken by fear. Instead, it was love that brought Him to the cross.
Read MoreWhen Lent is Forced Upon Us
I could never have guessed what was about to happen in our world as I began my Lent fast this year. It seems unbelievable, but maybe the season of Lent has something to teach us about what it means to walk through the wilderness.
Read MoreA Prayer for Our World
I’ve never experienced an international pandemic like the COVID-19 virus. Although this is a difficult time, I hope that this experience will bring us closer in touch with our humanity and deeper into our reliance on God for life. For that reason, I offer this prayer for our world.
Read MoreGod Doesn’t Want You to be Happy
If you were to ask most Christians today what they think about God, they might tell you that God wants us to be happy. But is that really God’s goal for this world and our lives?
Read MoreElijah and the Lord
When Elijah was at the end of his rope, even wanting to end his own life, God showed up to remind him that He is in control of the big picture. This encounter was a turn-around moment for Elijah, a moment that propelled him to the rest of his call.
Read MoreElijah and the Showdown
In Part 3 of the life and times of Elijah, the prophet, we are going to experience an epic showdown! In this case, it isn’t about who’s the strongest fighter, but which god is the true god. It is not a championship at stake, but the allegiance of an entire nation.
Read MoreElijah and the Widow
As we continue exploring the story of Elijah, we encounter a widow and her son and the reminder that God is the giver of life, and that our allegiance belongs to Him alone.
Read MoreCan We Talk About Death?
A couple of funeral directors told me that approximately 1/3 of the families they deal with decide not to have any kind of service for their deceased loved ones. It seems we’ve become increasingly apprehensive when it comes to the topic of death, but we need to learn to talk about it.
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