2019- A Year of Balance?

Happy Valentine’s Day! To celebrate, I am sitting down to write what was going to be my 2018 year in review post, and then over the course of January shifted to my 2019 Goals post. And well, now that it is Valentine’s Day and we are half way through February, I figure if this post is going to ever be written and posted, today’s the … Continue reading 2019- A Year of Balance?

God’s Deep and Abiding Love is a Gift and Promise- a stewardship sermon for Epiphany 4C

I am grateful to have been invited by Pastor Carm Aderman to be with the good people of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha this past Sunday (February 3, 2019) and preach on stewardship. Unfortunately, a stomach bug that rampaged through our family and house over the weekend kept me from making it there on Sunday morning, and I am looking forward to being with … Continue reading God’s Deep and Abiding Love is a Gift and Promise- a stewardship sermon for Epiphany 4C

“Every Valley Shall Be Lifted Up…” – it’s God’s work, but we’re a part of it too!

It was a joy to be with the good people of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ralston, Nebraska on Sunday December 9th. Thank you to Pastor Greg Berger for the invitation, to come and preach on stewardship as part of the congregation’s Consecration Sunday, and lead an adult forum conversation between worship, as well as join the congregation’s lunch bunch for food and conversation after the … Continue reading “Every Valley Shall Be Lifted Up…” – it’s God’s work, but we’re a part of it too!

“You Are Bearers of Hope and the Kingdom”

It was a joy to be with the good people of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Nebraska on Saturday December 1, 2018. I was scheduled to be with them for Sunday (December 2) too, but because of a winter storm, the congregation cancelled worship for Sunday morning. I am grateful for the opportunity to be with them, and the welcome and invitation from Pastor Paul … Continue reading “You Are Bearers of Hope and the Kingdom”

Butterflies, Cornucopia, and Gratitude

It’s early Sunday morning. Lately this means I would be getting ready to hit the road, or getting ready to preach later this morning. I was planning to be waking up on the Panhandle out in Western Nebraska this morning. But for the first time in two and a half years, my preaching and visit plans were thwarted by the weather. Pastor Rich Sheridan and … Continue reading Butterflies, Cornucopia, and Gratitude

Preaching on Stewardship- November 4, 2018

Usually every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. Because of schedule demands, this week is a bit different. Realizing it’s Wednesday (Reformation Day and Halloween) and many of you preachers are already working on your sermon, this may be a little late. But if useful, I am going to offer just a few short … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- November 4, 2018

Dear Child of God- a new father’s reflection on their child’s baptism

Yesterday our daughter Caroline was sealed with the Holy Spirit, and marked with the cross of Christ forever. It was a wonderful day with the whole people of God, the wonderful congregation of Salem Lutheran of whom I am happy and grateful to be a part of, and a fantastic day of gathering with family and friends. All of this has me breathing a deep … Continue reading Dear Child of God- a new father’s reflection on their child’s baptism

“The Kingdom of God breaks into our world, in part through stewards like us”

I had the privilege of being with the good people of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Falls City, Nebraska today (October 7, 2018). Thank you so much to Pastor Andrew Chavanak for the invitation to come and preach, and for the warm welcome I received by the whole congregation in a time of conversation about the synod, ministry together, and stewardship before worship, and … Continue reading “The Kingdom of God breaks into our world, in part through stewards like us”

“Lord, to Whom Can We Go?”

I had the privilege of being with the good people of Grace Lutheran outside of Wahoo, Nebraska this morning (Sunday August 26, 2018). It was a wonderful morning, and it was an honor to be invited to preach by Pastor Glenda Ferguson. What follows is the majority of the manuscript I preached from, based on the appointed gospel lesson for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost … Continue reading “Lord, to Whom Can We Go?”

Generosity- a counter-cultural life as a disciple & steward in a world full of fear & worry

It was my privilege to be with the good people of St. John Lutheran in Beatrice, Nebraska this morning (August 19th, 2018). Pastor Greg Gabriel invited me to preach in worship on generosity and stewardship, share and facilitate an adult forum on stewardship and gratitude between worship services, and then meet with the congregation’s stewardship team afterward. It was a wonderful day- that included the … Continue reading Generosity- a counter-cultural life as a disciple & steward in a world full of fear & worry