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

Preaching on Stewardship- March 11, 2018

Happy Monday! Every Monday I share a few tidbits, nuggets, or ideas for incorporating some stewardship themes in your preaching. This week’s stewardship nuggets based on the appointed readings by the Revised Common Lectionary and Narrative Lectionary are as follows: Sunday March 11, 2018: Revised Common Lectionary- The Fourth Sunday in Lent First Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Second Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-10 Gospel of … Continue reading Preaching on Stewardship- March 11, 2018

Why I Started Wearing a Stole

One of the joys of my call as Nebraska Synod Director for Stewardship is to be out in the 245 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations across the state. I do this simultaneously with my consecrated and rostered ministry as a Deacon in the Church, one called to “Word and Service” ministry. I love this call, and I love this ministry. Being able to: … Continue reading Why I Started Wearing a Stole

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

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; Millennials; Neighbor … Continue reading This Week’s Links

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

Happy New Year! 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. Because it has been a few weeks since the last issue of the links, there are quite a few posts related to Christmas, Advent, and New Year’s in here. To … Continue reading This Week’s Links

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime- a Christmas devotional for Jan. 2, 2018

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 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime- a Christmas devotional for Jan. 2, 2018

Cold December Flies Away- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 31, 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 Cold December Flies Away- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 31, 2017

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 27, 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 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly- a Christmas devotional for Dec. 27, 2017