Dear Olivia, Happy Birthday! My “little girl” is now officially, legally, an adult. And to be honest, that feels a little bizarre… sad… scary… surreal… but mostly — really and truly — amazing. You! Are! Amazing! I look back on … Continue reading
I didn’t know that the street preachers were going to be on campus. But it just so happened that I made plans to go for a walk with a student, starting from the fountain on Risman Plaza. And there they … Continue reading
Dear Cor, Happy Birthday, my son! Everyone seems to be talking about how quickly you’re growing up these days. People ask, “What grade is Cor in?” And I’ll say “He’s a sophomore in high school.” And they’ll say, “What?!? No … Continue reading
Today was the first day of classes for Kent State University students. And, as usual, we finished the day by hosting our H2O Kickoff event. But, in a more unusual twist, the venue for this year was the Student Green, … Continue reading
The Bible talks about heaven as a wedding feast: A grand celebration of love… Where friends and family adorn themselves with their finest clothes and jewels… For a sweet reunion and affirmation of relationships: both old and new… Wedding guests … Continue reading
I wanted to spend the morning walking with God. Like, literally: walking from our cabin at the YMCA of the Rockies to a site on the map called Cub Lake, with a heart to worship and connect with God. I … Continue reading
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