I love small-town festivals. I grew up in a town that celebrated its Bicycle Days every summer. Marci and I had our first date at the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival. And I’m always on the lookout for other interesting observances that … Continue reading
A group of us from H2O Kent traveled to Youngstown, earlier today, to meet up with our friends who moved to Youngstown over the summer. Together, we hosted a tailgate party outside of Youngstown State University’s Stambaugh Stadium before their … 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
We’ve got oppressive humidity. We’ve got Back-to-School advertisements. And — as of this week — we’ve got Handel’s Peach Ice Cream. It must be August in Northeast Ohio! The ice cream itself is incredible. But I’ve got a story that … Continue reading
We’re back from our family vacation! First, we had seven weeks at the Collegiate Church Network‘s Leadership Training program in Estes Park. Then, Marci, Cor, and I took the better part of two weeks to swing further west: to enjoy … Continue reading
There was a moment yesterday when I felt like I was standing on a different planet. The landscape around me featured dazzling white soil, matte black rocks, and a sea of tepid, rose-colored water. It was weird. Yet, weirder still … Continue reading
There’s a quirky little place on the West side of Estes Park. I’d describe it as a gas station / convenience store / tourist shop / donut shop / burger restaurant. And I know that’s a lot to fit into … Continue reading
Marci and I are celebrating twenty-four years of marriage this month. So we decided to mark the occasion by traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for a three-day, two-night getaway. Charleston is a lovely city, with a rich history, distinctive urban … 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
Today has been a day of contrasts! One might say “Morning Grit” and “Evening Grace,” to adapt a phrase I recently heard from a friend. I started out the day by waking up early and driving an hour north of … Continue reading