We had our final evening of Lenten worship at Bethel tonight. From where I was standing it seemed like a wonderful time for reflection and prayer. I led the congregation through a few guided prayers while offering songs of worship and devotion. I also shared briefly a few thoughts that had come upon me this […]
Category / Life
Three Years
Our little girl turned three this weekend. If you’ve not yet had a child of your own grow to the age of three, let me tell you that three years pass like the blink of an eye (and a thousand years are as a day). I can’t help but thinking that taking a similar journey four more […]
Meeting & Celebration
This past weekend members of the WMPL fellowship gathered together in prayer during our annual meeting and celebration. After some light refreshments, we began in worship by singing Come, Thou Almighty King and Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me. A number of our missionaries were able to join us and give brief reports on the work […]
Giving Up & Taking Up
Ash Wednesday and Lent are now upon us. I’ve always encountered some internal struggle when this season of the church year comes calling. It is common practice for Christians to give something up for Lent – to fast from that which might be detracting from a walk with the Lord. Though many things to distract in […]
Lenten Prep at Bethel
I’ve been trying to write this week. As I’ve mentioened, our pastor is on sabbatical. In his absence, I was asked to facilitate our midweek Lenten services and to use the opportunity to introduce our congregation to World Mission Prayer League and to explore the way of the cross from the perspective of an international […]
National Prayer Breakfast
This past weekend during our Bible class at Bethel, we had a conversation which I wish could have been had in every Christian gathering around our country. Our pastor (currently on sabbatical) and a few other individuals connected to Bethel, the Prayer League, LINC – Twin Cities, and other ministries in the area were privileged to join […]
Staff Retreat to Mount Carmel
This past weekend, our staff took time to retreat to Mount Carmel in Alexandria, Minnesota. It was a restful time. We discussed the topic of transitions, joined in worship, played games, broke bread, and partook in a number of antics. Aelah enjoyed her first taste of Jell-O. I missed her first look at it and […]
Jesus Feared God
Isaiah 11:1-5 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His […]
Vying for Authority
Disregarding God I have recently happened upon two things. Both are unsettling and both, in some sense, disregard the authority of Scripture. One, in looking to preserve the authority of scripture takes an extreme in which an attempt is made to confine the work of the Spirit among us. The other simply embraces a blatant disregard for the […]
Hello Old Friends!
Seeking Counsel I’ve found that with the itinerant life I lived for 15 years or so, it can often be difficult to connect and secure counsel from close friends. I’m attempting to map the past years, better grasp my current position, and seek clarity for what might stretch ahead. I’d greatly appreciate your assistance. We […]
How a Book Was Brought Back to My Memory
I’m not quite certain how or why the memory of this book came to mind over the past weeks, but I am most pleased that it has. During a recent Twitter conversation, I was asked for children’s book suggestions and it again entered my mind. I do know that the memory came only as a hazy recollection […]
Navigating Decisions With Spiritual Discernment
Have you ever read an article that just stuck? Years ago, while working at Camp Lutherhaven, I was introduced to Discipleship Journal, a now retired NavPress publication. In one issue, there was an article about the voice of God and how we can best tune our ear to hear Him. After having read the article, I jotted the […]
Joyfully Scattered Days
This new year has brought with it some good direction, clarity, and motivation for me personally, but we still have some scatteredness in our lives. Case in point, this weekend, Aelah sported an owl puppet mitten since we could only locate one of her mittens. It was a good and full weekend! Friday afternoon, I joined […]
A New Rich Mullins' Song
We spent the eve of the new year with Jenna & Pascal playing a few games of Carcassonne, finishing off left-over Christmas cookies, and enjoying a few brews from what is becoming our annual brother beer exchange. As midnight neared, I visited my computer to flip the album, as it were, and find some new tunes […]