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

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; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; … Continue reading This Week’s Links

This Week’s Links

Tuesdays on the blog mean that I get to share 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; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Stewardship; and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

This Week’s Links

Tuesdays on the blog mean that I get to share 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; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Stewardship; and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

‘Turn, then, and live’ – an invitation to abundant life & our response to God’s Work & Word

I had the great privilege of being home at Salem Lutheran in Fontanelle, Nebraska today (October 1, 2017), and was invited to preach on stewardship by my wife, and the congregation’s pastor Allison. What follows is the majority of the manuscript I preached from, which was based on the revised common lectionary readings for the day (Lectionary 26, Pentecost 17A): Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, and … Continue reading ‘Turn, then, and live’ – an invitation to abundant life & our response to God’s Work & Word

Beyond Grateful

The month of May marks one year of serving in my current call. As I think about this, there are two words that surmise how I am feeling a year in. Beyond grateful. Serving as the Nebraska Synod Director for Stewardship is a blessing. Each day is new and exciting. Each day brings new experiences, new learning, new conversations, new ideas, and new stories. Serving … Continue reading Beyond Grateful

This Week’s Links

Tuesday on the blog means that I get to share some of what I have seen, read, and found interesting with all of you. To help make sense of these links, I have grouped them by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboraton; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation and Miscellaneous. I hope you … Continue reading This Week’s Links

What a Wonderful World

One of my favorite songs of all time is “What a Wonderful World.” I’m sure you know the song, but to refresh your memory about the song and its beautiful lyrics by George David and Bob Thiele: “I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you, and I think to myself what a wonderful world. I see skies … Continue reading What a Wonderful World

Passionate Love

The following is a sermon that I preached at Woodlake Lutheran Church this weekend. It was preached on the assigned reading from the Narrative Lectionary‘s summer series on “Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry,” Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7.  Over the past month, we have been reading and thinking about a couple of the less heard from books of the Old Testament. We have been reminded … Continue reading Passionate Love

7 Leadership Lessons from the Spouse of a Chaplain

This summer has been full of change, new experiences and transitions. Overall it has been full, challenging and rewarding. Over the summer, my wife Allison has been serving as a Chaplain Intern at a local hospital as part of her seminary program to become a pastor. (Technically this chaplain experience is called “CPE”- Clinical Pastoral Education.) For the summer, Allison has been one of a handful … Continue reading 7 Leadership Lessons from the Spouse of a Chaplain