It’s been a troubling past few weeks for our nation.  My heart is heavy as I read headlines and watch news stories, the majority of which are negative in content.  It seems there’s simply not much to uplift or encourage…

The year was 1995.  I was a senior in high school and finally starting to get through some of those “awkward life stages” but yet still geeky nonetheless (just picture acne accompanied by a mullet).  I can remember music…

I’ve been reading through Proverbs lately.  I love how verse by verse it wrecks me and then builds me back up again.  It is so meaty and full of wise instruction and godly truth.  One particular verse that keeps coming…

If I could teach a class on how to become spiritually wise, the textbook would simply be the Book of Proverbs.  The nuggets of truth found within are so relevant to our modern-day society.  I wish I could comment and…

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 

I’m always amazed by people that run.  I’ve never been a runner and have never been accused of running too…

Well we are seeing it in the media everyday, aren’t we?  This idea of #fakenews…primarily stemming from a certain President and a certain cable news network.  “Fake news” has become one of the buzzword phrases of 2017 and for good…

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with…

Right off the top, I’ve gotta be totally real about myself and declare something:   

I have a problem finishing things.   

It’s a startling revelation I know, ha!  Whether it’s some personality trait I possess or just simply sheer…

Attached to this entry today is a photo that I share with some hesitation, but knowing it (hopefully) will serve a point.  What you see is a picture of a middle schooler.  Late 1980s.  Stonewashed jeans.  Pilot jacket.  Minnesota…

I’m going to jump right into things this week.  I’m discussing worship…a topic that’s near to my heart.  But before we get started, I have a few questions: 

What drives you to worship?  Not just on Sunday, but throughout…

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”  Judges 6:15 

One of my favorite things about the Bible is God’s use…

Israel, trust in the Lord! 
He is their help and shield. 
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! 
He is their help and shield. 
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! 
He is their help and shield. …

Sports are a pretty big deal in my house these days.  It seems with 4 boys all under the age of twelve, their waking hours are spent talking about, watching, and participating in sports.  They collect all sorts of…

My hometown of Duluth, Minnesota is beautiful.  Yeah I might be a bit biased, but I think it has some qualities that make it a lovely place.  Seated on the shores of Lake Superior, it’s not your typical Midwest-looking town…

One of the passages God has been speaking to me over the past several months is Numbers 13:  the spies being sent into the Promised Land.  If you recall the story, you remember that this was the point where Moses…

Today is a special day.  It’s our anniversary:  my wife and I celebrate 15 years of marriage today!  At times, it’s really hard to believe it’s been 15 years already.  At other times, it definitely seems like it’s been…

I love Psalm 77.  When I was first starting out writing music and specifically, worship music, I would go to the Psalms.  Of course this was where any budding songwriter would go because the book is literally chapter after chapter…

Note:  For clarity’s sake in this discussion, I will sometimes reference things as “Big C Church" which is God’s Church universal.  “Little c church” is what I understand to be the local church on mission with God.  Slightly nuanced, but…

We’re continuing on in a series that I believe is more of an open discussion than anything else.  I’ve been impressed to write more topically for a few weeks because of the need to give certain issues specific attention…

Do you ever wonder as a Christian, as a believer in Christ…is all of this stuff we believe really real?  I mean, do you ever step outside of yourself, your background, your upbringing, your context, etc. and examine, “what if…

I’m not an exercise buff.  Not even close.  It’s been weeks, even months since I last worked out.  I used to be better about it and I’d go to the gym on a regular basis.  I had the Y membership…

What comes to mind as you think about the events of Holy Week?  What do you picture in your mind’s eye as you contemplate the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, the trial and conviction of Jesus, Good Friday and the…

Lots of times when I read Biblical accounts, I like to put myself in the shoes of those who were at the scene.  Like an actor, I imagine myself playing the role of a major character and wonder if…

I’ve been sensing in these weeks leading up to Easter, the need to focus some attention on evaluating the heart.  My church background did not include much in tradition as far as Lent, but I can see the value of…

Sometimes as I’m writing a blog post, the overarching theme or idea comes quickly.  The details of what I feel I need to write however, can come at a much slower pace.  This week is one such week where God…