Living in Gratitude- in at least 7 personal life ways

If you read this blog often, you know that gratitude has become a regular sub-theme of sorts here for me. So when I saw a friend ask the other day for strategies for promoting gratitude in daily life, I decided to think about what my daily gratitude practices look like. I’ll admit, I am human. Some days I lose sight of, or at least take … Continue reading Living in Gratitude- in at least 7 personal life ways

Easter Once More- Joy, Prayer and Risk

Hello readers! It has been awhile. There were no posts on the blog during April as I was on parental leave, but now that I have returned from leave, posts will again appear here. This first post actually shares a bit about our new daughter Caroline, and is the manuscript I preached from today (May 13, 2018) for the Seventh Sunday of Easter at Salem … Continue reading Easter Once More- Joy, Prayer and Risk

God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

It was a great joy to be invited to preach today (March 11, 2018) at Salem Lutheran in Fontanelle, by my wife and the congregation’s pastor, Allison. What follows is the majority of the manuscript I preached from, based on the revised common lectionary’s appointed gospel, John 3:14-21, and epistle, Ephesians 2:1-10 for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Lent 4B). Grace and peace from God … Continue reading God’s Story, Our Stories, and God’s On-Going Story for Us

Ashes and Dust- Time, Love and New Life

Confession time. This isn’t going to be a post with anything profound theologically. This isn’t going to be some great stewardship piece. No, this is purely a personal reflection of the jumbled thoughts that are in my head, the smorgasbord of feelings on my heart, and an attempt today to try and make some sense out of it all.  “Remember that you are dust, and … Continue reading Ashes and Dust- Time, Love and New Life

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 29, 2017

During the Twelve Days of Christmas, just as in the 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 … Continue reading Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 29, 2017

O Come, All Ye Faithful- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 26, 2017

During the Twelve Days of Christmas, just as in the 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 … Continue reading O Come, All Ye Faithful- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 26, 2017

I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve- an Advent devotional for Dec. 23, 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 I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve- an Advent devotional for Dec. 23, 2017

Once in Royal David’s City- an Advent devotional for Dec. 12, 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 Once in Royal David’s City- an Advent devotional for Dec. 12, 2017

This Week’s Links

Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things that I have read and found interesting over the past week. To help make sense of the links, I have grouped them in the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Leadership Thought & Practice; Stewardship; and Vocation. I hope you enjoy this edition of the links. Church and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Great Aunt Sophie

My Great Aunt Sophie Ommedal passed away earlier this week at the impressive age of 100. Sophie had just celebrated her birthday a week and a half earlier. Sophie was impressive, to say the least. She graduated valedictorian, one of many in her extended family. She served as an organist and church musician, also one of many in her extended family. She lived the longest … Continue reading Great Aunt Sophie