…these recent reads: Writing Tides: Finding Grace and Growth Through Writing by Kent Ira Groff (Because I need an occasional writing book to push me in new directions as a scribe) 11 Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without by Len Sweet (Because Len Sweet is a master of synthesis, a good thinker, and sees the…

At the end of this month, it’ll be four years since we left WI. Depending on how you look at it, it was either a hasty departure (our house sold one day after hitting the MLS listings) or a long time coming (we lived there for 9 challenging years – and those years were shaped…

I was reading John’s account of how Jesus turned the ancient equivalent of a Fish McNugget Happy Meal (sans the movie-themed toy) into a party for 5000 men, plus the women and children accompanying them. Today I was struck by these verses: “When they were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover…

I received a survey from the editorial team at this magazine in the mail yesterday. They were looking for information about my response to the most current issue, as well as seeking to obtain some general feedback about both the magazine and current evangelical topography. One question I particularly liked was the one where they…

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zeph. 3:17Two days ago while I was at work, I got this phone call from my son Ben. He told me…

Over 20 Chicago Public School students have been killed so far this year, most with handguns. (I believe two additional students have lost their lives since this story ran in last week’s Chicago Tribune.) These stories blur together on the nightly news: the impromptu memorials of flowers, notes and stuffed animals; the police statements; the…