Pastor's Blog

24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

You know those moments.‍ When someone does something to you that you don’t appreciate.‍ After a sneer, a smirk, or an inappropriate verbal explosion, you turn to the offender and sarcastically say, “Thanks a lot!”

Ann Powell, age 92, died last week and for the past several days, every time I think of her, it puts a smile on my face.On Tuesdays she would come to the church office to answer the phones while we had our staff meetings. She would often bring in the crossword puzzle to work on and I would stop by her desk to help her with a couple of clues before the meeting.

The two weeks of fall we had were wonderful, but now the cold has come. It’s time to pull out the winter coats. We must bundle up before walking outside. It feels like winter!

It’s time for another COVID check-in. How are you doing? More importantly, how are your children? Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, godparent, teacher, or friend … how are the children in your life hanging in there? 

Since I shared a letter last week announcing my call to serve as a Navy Chaplain, Megan and I have received many kind notes of support and well wishes for which we are so grateful. We have also gotten some good questions. As a follow up, I thought I would use the Pastor’s Blog this week to try and answer some of the most common ones.

Since I shared a letter last week announcing my call to serve as a Navy Chaplain, Megan and I have received many kind notes of support and well wishes for which we are so grateful. We have also gotten some good questions. As a follow up, I thought I would use the Pastor’s Blog this week to try and answer some of the most common ones.

Every year. Do you do it too? I call it an exercise in futility. And it is hard work! You know. The annual ritual of trying to make something beautiful that has obviously struggled to thrive. Lack of care has led to its demise. And, once again, much effort and expense are poured into bringing it back to life. It seems futile. But, the annual lawn aeration, fertilization, and over-seeding exercise has been completed…again. Now, we’ll see if change happens. Do you do it too?

On the surface, the words Included and Inclusion seem to have very similar meanings. In fact, to most people, they have the same meaning, and they don’t give them a second thought.

I got a new IWatch for Christmas. At first, I didn’t want something so “smart.” The idea of constantly getting emails and texts on my wrist didn’t seem appealing. But I have grown to LOVE my watch. One of the best features is that I can answer my phone with my watch. Sometimes… ok a lot of the time, I lay my phone down and go into another room. Yet, I can still answer my phone. It’s great! But there’s one feature that I still don’t know what I think about it.

We all question the significance of our place in the world from time to time. We read how God has redeemed and claimed us as His own, and yet don’t truly understand what to do with such information other than to store it away in a mental filing cabinet or hang it on your wall as a bragging right. What are we honestly called to do with the message God communicated to us? Where do we fit into the greater story? Is the Gospel still relevant today?

As I watched my youngest son play his first soccer game Saturday morning, I was praying for those countless families who were directly impacted by the loss of a loved one. I grieved for them. Because no, even after 20 years, we as a nation haven’t just “moved on.” We have certainly “moved forward” but as with any grief, I’m not sure you ever fully “move on.”

You and your generosity continue to enable many ministries to make a difference in our local communities, throughout the nation and in the world today.This summer, you enabled me and a group of over 20 former classmates, friends and family to engage in a habitat build in my home-town of Yankton, South Dakota supporting a family who recently transitioned to the United States from Afghanistan. The Abraham family, a family of six, will in a few short months have a house they will make into a home.

Anyone who has struggled with fertility issues you understand deeply the joy and the heartbreak that often accompanies the journey for many families who are hoping for children. Sherry and I were on this journey many years ago. Colin and Shannon, our son and daughter-in-law, have traveled down this road. And, I know, many of you have been on this journey as well. But, for Colin and Shannon, and for Sherry and me, our infertility journeys resulted in a beautiful, healthy child. And, for that, we are all so very grateful.

Have you ever helped a person die?In John 12, it reads: Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. Some disciples thought she was wasting expensive perfume while others thought it could be sold and given to the poor. Only Jesus knew what Mary was doing. By pouring on this perfume, she was anointing Jesus for his burial. She was helping a friend die.