Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus- an Advent devotional for Dec. 9, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus- an Advent devotional for Dec. 9, 2017

There’s a Voice in the Wilderness- an Advent devotional for Dec. 8, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading There’s a Voice in the Wilderness- an Advent devotional for Dec. 8, 2017

Comfort, Comfort Now My People- an Advent devotional for Dec. 7, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Comfort, Comfort Now My People- an Advent devotional for Dec. 7, 2017

As the Dark Awaits the Dawn- an Advent devotional for Dec. 6, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading As the Dark Awaits the Dawn- an Advent devotional for Dec. 6, 2017

This Week’s Links

Tuesdays on the blog mean that I have the pleasure of sharing some links to things that I have found interesting and thought provoking over the previous week with all of you. To help make sense of all that I have read, I have grouped these links by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Stewardship; Vocation; and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Prepare the Royal Highway- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 5, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Prepare the Royal Highway- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 5, 2017

Preaching on Stewardship- December 10, 2017

Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday December 10, 2017: Revised Common Lectionary- Second Sunday of Advent (Year B) First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a Gospel of … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- December 10, 2017

Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 4, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 4, 2017

Hope, Connect, Go: A Stewardship Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent

It was a joy to be back with the good people of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah, Nebraska. Thank you friend and Pastor Tyler Gubsch for the invitation to help kick off an Advent series on stewardship. The sermon was based in part on the appointed readings for Advent 1B in the lectionary, especially: Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9, and Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19. What follows is … Continue reading Hope, Connect, Go: A Stewardship Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 3, 2017

This Advent season I am going to reflect on a hymn or carol daily as part of my spiritual practices. I am not sure where all these reflections will take me, but in conversation with my spiritual director, I am going to leave room for both “the head stuff” and “the heart stuff.” Some days might be more of one or another. I invite you … Continue reading Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah- an Advent Devotional for Dec. 3, 2017