Though Lent is a somber forty-day period of the Christian year given to fasting, reflection and acts of charity, here’s a story that will probably give you a smile – and serve as a reminder that those observing Lent need to interpret the practice to a watching, wondering world: I was immersed into Gentile culture…

A few weeks ago, I reviewed a book about spiritual pilgrimage from Thomas Nelson’s Ancient Practices series. Thanks to Nelson’s blogger review program (which they’ve dubbed “Booksneeze”, a cringe-worthy name if ever there was one), I had the opportunity to read another title in the series. This time, it was Nora Gallagher’s The Sacred Meal,…

A devotional, an invitation, a contest and an update – here are highlights of my recent newsletter: Home again?         If you’ve ever returned to your home town after a being away for a few years, you’ll discover that there’s truth in the old adage “You can’t go home again”. It’s not just that…

A fun but surreal moment: I took my seven-year old grandson to Mickey D’s yesterday. It’s kind of a tradition for us. Cold, damp late February days mean that the indoor playground is the hottest ticket in town. There wasn’t an empty table in the joint. Gabriel and I stood in the center of the…

I’ve written about my sermon fatigue before. Honestly, I’d rather just have the preacher hand out copies of the text of his or her message and let me just read (or skim) them. I’m a terrible auditory learner, and retain only a small portion of what I hear – just like most of the rest…

I’ve spent much of the last 2-1/2 months sequestered in the house due to illness and recovery from my recent shoulder surgery. I’m now feeling well enough to do something besides drive myself to physical therapy, so yesterday I treated myself to a quick trip north to St. Francis, WI. My long-time prayer partner and…