I loved the first season of Ted Lasso. The show’s character development was especially masterful. Many of the early “villains” became surprisingly sympathetic. Conversely, many of the early “heroes” became more complicated as the season wore on. And because the … Continue reading
I’ve been listening to a new podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. It describes the unique legacy of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, along with its pastor, Mark Driscoll. The entire life cycle of this church was … Continue reading
We sing weird songs to children. And we do it without even thinking about it. In the process, though, I wonder how much we’re carrying culture without even knowing it. Old MacDonald had a farm: E-I-E-I-O What do those letters … Continue reading
Negen jaar geleden, woonde we nog in Amsterdam. Onze huis stond wel leeg met een boordje in het raam: “Te Koop.” Maar onze vrienden… onze kerk… onze gezinsgeschiedenis… Die waren allemaal nog steeds daar, in Nederland. Tot de ochtend van … Continue reading
It’s Saint Patrick’s Day! The day we celebrate a British missionary to Ireland with green beer and Irish Pride parades. It’s not a holiday that meant a lot to me, growing up. However, my interest in Saint Patrick’s day has … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Penelope Wilcock’s book, The Wounds of God. It’s the second book in The Hawk and the Dove series, which was recommended to me by my friend Jason. And I must also thank my parents for giving me the … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Penelope Wilcock’s book, The Hawk and the Dove. My friend Jason recommended the book to me. He had heard about it in a workshop about Spiritual Direction. But he started falling in love with the story, as he … Continue reading
Dutch people go crazy for ice-skating. When a hard freeze starts, it’s a topic of casual conversation and serious news reporting. They know exactly the right conditions and the right period of time that’s needed for the right amount of … Continue reading
We’re in the midst of a hard freeze here in Ohio. For the past two weeks, we haven’t gotten more than a degree or two above freezing — and even those “spikes” in temperature were only for the briefest stretches … Continue reading
The last week of January was a big week for our family back in 2003 — a week of miracles and transformations and shock. Looking back, eighteen years later, I can hardly believe that so much happened in such a … Continue reading