Gratitude and Gifts

As the rain falls and pours outside, it’s hard not to be a little nostalgic for the Pacific Northwest. Even as it rains, and its unseasonably cold here, its hard not to be grateful for today and the opportunities it brings. Last week I was reminded what gratitude can look like in different ways. First, as I mentioned previously, it was my wife Allison’s birthday. … Continue reading Gratitude and Gifts

Happy Birthday to Allison- A leader, neighbor lover, and church and ministry doer

I don’t usually write family related posts on my blog, so it is very rare that they come two posts, right after one another. But I think you will enjoy or at least appreciate today’s post. Today, it is my amazing and wonderful wife Allison‘s birthday. In the spirit and theme of this blog, here is a quick look at how I see Allison as … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Allison- A leader, neighbor lover, and church and ministry doer

Family Time, Processing, and Reflections on Holy Week 2014

If you read my blog often, then you probably are aware that this past week was Holy Week. On the blog I shared some thoughts as we journeyed from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, Holy Saturday and then Easter Sunday. What you may not know is that my Mom and Dad were out visiting us and joined us for the fun. That … Continue reading Family Time, Processing, and Reflections on Holy Week 2014

This Week’s Links

Tuesday means that it is time for me to share some of what I have seen and found interesting and thought provoking in the past week with all of you. This week’s categories include: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Vocation; Worship and Miscellaneous. Church and Ministry Thought & Practice Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Presiding … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Jesus Christ is Risen Today! Alleluia! Happy Easter!

“Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia! Now above … Continue reading Jesus Christ is Risen Today! Alleluia! Happy Easter!

Baptismal Promises and the Hope and Wait for Easter

“God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and … Continue reading Baptismal Promises and the Hope and Wait for Easter

Good Friday- Gawking at the Cross

Today is Good Friday. We have traveled through Lent, and this past week through Holy Week– from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday to today.  On Good Friday, we see ourselves as participants (in all of our good, bad, and ugly) in the darkest section and moment of our faith and belief. We are confronted with humanity in a way that we only face in worship … Continue reading Good Friday- Gawking at the Cross

Maundy Thursday Thoughts and Questions

As we continue to travel through Holy Week, today we observe Maundy Thursday.  Since Palm Sunday, the mood has turned more somber. In our observation of Maundy Thursday, we are called to remember Jesus’ love for us, the reasons for the sacrament of Holy Communion, and even to reflect on our common human responses to fear and challenge- fighting or fleeing, rather than wondering what … Continue reading Maundy Thursday Thoughts and Questions

This Week’s Links

Tuesday means that it is time to share some of what I have found interesting and thought-provoking over the past week.  This week’s topics include:  Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation; Worship; and Miscellaneous. I entrust these to you now and hope you enjoy them. Church and Ministry Thought & Practice … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Leading around the Potholes- Thoughts on Stewardship Leadership

Last week I shared what I believe are some potholes of stewardship. Today, I would like to offer some reflection about how leadership plays a role in navigating, responding to, and overcoming these potholes. Let me put a few assumptions out there before I begin. My understanding of a leader, is that they lead and guide with the values, mission, and vision of their congregation … Continue reading Leading around the Potholes- Thoughts on Stewardship Leadership