For better or worse, I don’t take the time to read many novels. I read biographies, some history, and a good bit of other non-fiction works, mostly connected to my work as a pastor. Recently, however, a title in the book list of a club I’m in caught my eye,…
I grew up and spent most of my adult life in a church tradition (GARBC and Independent Baptist) that, at best, frowned on the word “liturgy.” The only time I heard it used was negatively. “That’s a liturgical church, not a biblical one!” “Liturgy is just cold, dead, formalism!” And…
I enjoy hiking. There’s something refreshing about being out on a trail somewhere, away from stuff and buildings and noise and traffic. Most of my hiking has been the day-hike variety. Arrive at a trailhead at some point in the morning, lace up my boots, grab the hiking pole, and…
Reading the title of Brandon Crowe’s little book, Every Day Matters, might leave one wondering its emphasis. Is he suggesting that every day counts, is important, and makes a difference? Or is the focus on every day, as opposed to say, every year? Or is the book about stuff—matters—that require…
Pop singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan scored a hit with the song Ordinary Miracle, which included the following lyrics: It’s not that unusual When everything is beautiful. It’s just another ordinary miracle today. The sky knows when it’s time to snow, Don’t need to teach a seed to grow. It’s just another…
For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed being outdoors, especially camping and hiking—just didn’t do much of it. If I’d had my druthers growing up, I would have joined Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts; however, being a pastor’s kid, it wasn’t an option. Scout meetings always conflicted…
As a somewhat casual Minnesota Vikings fan, I should have watched the entire recent NFC Wild Card playoff game between the Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. If I were a die-hard fan, I would have. But, I figured the Saints would get revenge on the game a couple years…
A couple years ago, while attending a conference for those in Christian ministry, I attended a workshop on avoiding burnout. Within the previous year or two, I’d come across colleagues in the ministry who shared their experience of being burned out, and they were men in the same stage of…
Facing the end of another year often thrusts us in evaluation mode—it does me, anyway, and I suspect I’m not the only one. Usually before looking at what was accomplished, I tend to focus on what wasn’t accomplished. “Surely I could’ve done so much more!” I find myself lamenting. The…
Not sure about you, but around this time every year I get to thinking about the next. The new year is fast approaching, and it’s time to evaluate, plan, and set goals. I’m not a natural at this whole process, so in the past few years, I’ve turned to some…
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