There were twenty-five of us who signed up to hike a four-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to a geological feature known as Charlie’s Bunion on our Free Day in the Smoky Mountain Retreat. That’s a pretty … Continue reading
I love our church’s Spring Break trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for many reasons. The change in scenery… the opportunity to practice spiritual disciplines… the community and camaraderie… All of these are lovely. But on our recent drive from … Continue reading
My wife, Marci, comes from a long line of strong women. Marchelle Louise Anderson-Asp, daughter of Fleta Louise Hettinger-Anderson… daughter of Virginia Beatrice Fackler-Hettinger… daughter of Fleta Marie Pittinger-Fackler… daughter of Ida Belle Baker-Pittinger… Going all the way back to … Continue reading
I believe it was 2015 when our church first started using pancakes as a way to connect with bar-hopping college students in downtown Kent. We’d heard about the strategy from some other ministry leaders in the Pacific Northwest. And since … Continue reading
It’s the two-year anniversary of the week when COVID came to Ohio and everything shut down. Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are strangely triggering — reminiscent of that crazy week when I first started learning judge the ”irresponsibility” of those who … Continue reading
Rex Orange County just released a new album titled “WHO CARES?” He wrote the album title and all of the song titles in all-caps, which I don’t like. But otherwise (and note the more-strategic, more-intentional use of all-caps here), I … Continue reading
After the snows of late-January and early-February, I seriously thought that we’d have total snow cover through most of the month of March. But Spring surprised me. Spring is lovely like that. It feels like a surprise every year! Warm … Continue reading
It’s comical how many permutations of the name “ManMaker” exist within the H2O Network, within our own church, and even within our own staff team. ManMaker… Manmaker.. Man-Maker… Man Maker… Man Maker’s… Man-makers… Man’s Maker’s… I think the time may … Continue reading
I’ve been friends with Jim for over a quarter of a century. I love him like a brother. But sometimes, he makes me roll my eyes. I cringe at his football-coach fashion… He has a way of making bombastic statements … Continue reading