Jesse and Rylee got engaged back in March. I saw it posted on Rylee’s Instagram. So when I saw them at Wendy’s, I offered my congratulations. And my standard “Watermelon Wedding” proposal, which is partly social commentary and partly Dad … Continue reading
I recently finished (re)reading Eugene Peterson’s memoir, The Pastor. It was my second reading (at least). But I especially enjoyed the reading this time around because it served to facilitate weekly discussions with two lovely young people who were doing paid internships … Continue reading
We’re saying good-bye to the YSU Team in stages. The big, whole-church, whole-Sunday Send-Off was great. I can see how it will also be important to help with actually moving boxes and furniture, starting this weekend. Both for practical reasons … Continue reading
This has been a special Sunday: a Send-Off Sunday. We had the privilege of commissioning two brand-new pastors for a team of ten brand-new church planters trusting God to start a brand-new H2O Church at Youngstown State University with the … Continue reading
“I’m sorry, but could you remind me of your name?” My Dad blinked, peered more closely at my face, and flashed a self-deprecating smile. It was all very gentlemanly. He would have done the same thing dozens of times as … Continue reading
Forty-two of us went to practice spiritual disciplines in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee this week. Most days, we started with a session in which we sang a couple of worship songs and taught a couple of spiritual disciplines. … 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
I’ve started a new discipline in the last month or so. It’s based around my personal study of the Bible and my translation from Greek to English. Every morning, I copy down two verses from the Greek. I do a … Continue reading
I’ve been busy ever since I got back from my time in the wilderness of southern California. My brother was in town for the first couple of days. Then my Aunt Jayne and Uncle Jim were in town. We had … Continue reading
For the past twenty years, a leader in our network of churches has been guiding people into the wilderness for spiritual solitude. He promotes the program very simply and directly: WilderneSS excursions are comprised of five days of complete solitude. … Continue reading