Shout- Day 12 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 10th was #Shout. Admittedly, I am a couple days behind, but I am trying to catch up on the series.  This weekend’s gospel passage, appointed by the revised common lectionary, is all about John the Baptist. Even though it doesn’t say that John was shouting, it’s … Continue reading Shout- Day 12 of Advent

Branch- Day 11 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 9th was #Branch. Admittedly, I am a couple days behind, but I am trying to catch up on the series.  The Gospel of Matthew begins by spending 17 verses explaining the genealogy of Jesus, laying out the branch and family tree of which Jesus comes. It’s … Continue reading Branch- Day 11 of Advent

See- Day 10 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 8th was #See. Admittedly, I am a few days behind, but I am trying to catch up on the series.  A key part of the Christmas story is seeing. For example consider the angels and the shepherds. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be … Continue reading See- Day 10 of Advent

Eternal- Day 9 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 7th was #Eternal. Admittedly, I am a few days behind, but I am trying to catch up on the series.  One of my grandpa’s served in the navy during World War II, and after the war he would serve as an English teacher, dean of students, … Continue reading Eternal- Day 9 of Advent

Come- Day 8 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 6th was #Come.  The shepherds came. The magi came. And we come to the manger. We come to see, to witness, to bow down and praise. One of the funny traditions now in my wife’s and my family is how our cat Buddy will always end … Continue reading Come- Day 8 of Advent

Greet- Day 7 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 5th was #Greet.  Yesterday morning pastors, staff, and other ministry professionals from the southern portion of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered for an Advent Eucharist service with the bishop at the church I am serving. One of the … Continue reading Greet- Day 7 of Advent

This Week’s Links

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

King- Day 6 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 4th was #King.  A favorite worship song which can be particularly appropriate for the time around Christ the King Sunday and the early Sundays of Advent is “The King of Glory” by Willard F. Jabusch. It’s a catching tune which does a nice job of connecting … Continue reading King- Day 6 of Advent

Story- Day 5 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for December 3rd was #Story.  Last night it hit me, my wife and I have a lot of stories already. It struck me as we unpacked box after box of Christmas ornaments how each one has some connection to a life experience, a trip, vacation, or hand me … Continue reading Story- Day 5 of Advent

Glory- Day 4 of Advent

During Advent this year, I will be reflecting daily using this Advent Photo Devotional. The word designated for today is #Glory.  When I think of “Glory” and Advent and Christmas, I usually think of the angels and their witness, such as the refrain “Gloria inexcelsis deo.” However, that’s not what I have on my mind today. Instead, I am confronted again by the senselessness of … Continue reading Glory- Day 4 of Advent