Category: Personal

What a Weekend! Concert Recap

April 8, 2025

This past weekend is up there on my Mount Rushmore of most meaningful and monumental events of my life. It’s up there with my wedding, ordination, launch of MainStreet, the births of my children. You think I’m overstating it, but I’m not. A shy artist and musician has been living inside me for decades, longing to be seen and trying to muster the courage to come out of hiding. That part of me went public Saturday night! … More What a Weekend! Concert Recap

Spring Break in Myrtle Beach

March 25, 2025

Loaded up the minivan and headed south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for spring break. On our trip down we visited both The Ark Encounter in Kentucky and The Billy Graham Library near Charlotte, NC. Now it’s days of long walks on the beach counting beached jelly fish with Isaak, bumping a volleyball on the beach with Peter, floating in the lazy river with Abby or a good book, lots of sunscreen and random day adventures. … More Spring Break in Myrtle Beach

Untold Tales Series

March 10, 2025

Lent is a great time to check out my Untold Tales short stories! These imaginative and moving portraits of the passion present beloved stories and characters in new and creative ways. Collect all of these beautifully illustrated books, and give a copy to a friend for Easter. Read excerpt of “Love Cut the Rope.” … More Untold Tales Series

Suffering into Hopeville

February 25, 2025

Hope isn’t a wish or happy thought, a longed for result or creedal confession. Hope is an atmosphere of grace. Hope is a spiritual address. We live in Hopeville on Hope Street. We breathe its pure air. We run across its soft grass. Hope’s water bubbles up from the spring of Living Water and runs out our faucet. We have planted our family’s fortunes in Hope’s rich soil. Like a person who lives their entire life in a small town, we live in Hope and someday we will die in Hope. … More Suffering into Hopeville

Rooted and Accountable in an Age of Individual Expression and Outrage

February 14, 2025

I look to the collective wisdom and perspective of my larger Covenant family and leadership when trying to make sense of the chaos of our world and thinking through complex issues. Far too many people with power and a platform lack accountability. People rant on social media from their gut, with loose words and little thought of why they speak or who they speak for. … More Rooted and Accountable in an Age of Individual Expression and Outrage

LIVE in Concert!

February 13, 2025

SAVE THE DATE! It’s really happening! Our break-out show is on the books, and we want all our friends and family to come pack the place! Our concert will feature two different sets: (1) a 75-minute set performing the music of Bob Dylan and (2) popular cover songs spanning the decades and genres the second half of the night. … More LIVE in Concert!

Bob Dylan, Yuppies, and the Most Important Thing

January 21, 2025

I’m debuting my Bob Dylan Tribute show later this week, and hoping to bring a simple twist of faith to my performance. I even bought a special shirt for the gig (see photo). This has me revisiting a piece I wrote a while back. Enjoy some wisdom from the now 83-year old Bob that he shared on his 50th birthday. … More Bob Dylan, Yuppies, and the Most Important Thing

Giving Thanks!

November 27, 2024

Here I sit on another Thanksgiving week, trying to put into words what God has been doing among us and through us as this past year. Once again, I humble myself and admit my utter dependence God and his people to raise a modest salary to continue this ministry. I don’t like it, but humility is a Christian virtue and crucifying one’s ego a worthy spiritual practice. … More Giving Thanks!

Tony Campolo: Red Letter Evangelical Dies

November 20, 2024

Tony Campolo came into my life twenty years ago and I am forever grateful for his voice that has called generations of Evangelicals to lean into the Red Letters of Jesus instead of opting for partisan politics. This past week I rediscovered him, picking his book off my shelf to prepare for a class only to hear that he died yesterday at age 89. Here’s a tribute. … More Tony Campolo: Red Letter Evangelical Dies

What a Week!

October 28, 2024

Last week was exhilarating, meaningful and exhausting reaching some 350 people with Kingdom hope! Here’s some highlights from an uplifting week filled with 3 performances, heading back into the classroom, and spreading Kingdom hope as a Happy Sower! … More What a Week!

Podcast #176 – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble (Deep Dive)

October 23, 2024

It’s the anniversary we never wanted, nor will ever forget. One year ago we rushed Isaak (11) to the ER with abdominal pain, and ended up in the ICU at Children’s for 31 agonizing days. To mark the anniversary, I’m instead sharing a podcast episode celebrating his baptism this summer and the sermon I gave on that occasion. Listen as Sarah and Doug do a Deep Dive into my message. … More Podcast #176 – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble (Deep Dive)

Bonhoeffer’s Family Confronts Eric Metaxas

October 21, 2024

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a hero of mine, on my Mt. Rushmore of Christian influences. His legacy is being hijacked and twisted for political purposes. The Bonhoeffer family has recently spoken up and sent a letter signed by 86 family members to Eric Metaxas saying: “We are horrified to see how the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is…being distorted and misused…” … More Bonhoeffer’s Family Confronts Eric Metaxas

Podcast #175 – Wandering on Purpose

October 16, 2024

In this episode of The Anchor Podcast I give a personal update touching on life, ministry, identity, left brain vs. right brain, seasonal depression and my latest musical adventures. I discuss my new wandering lifestyle as a hometown troubadour and conclude that the bumper sticker is true: Not all who wander are lost. Some wander with a purpose. … More Podcast #175 – Wandering on Purpose

#SaturdaySong – “The Kingdom of Jesus”

October 12, 2024

I’m playing a lot of music these days – funerals, fundraisers, senior homes, and picking in the basement. Sometimes I hit record and perhaps I’ll share them here on Saturday mornings. Here’s a first take, rough cut (partial) cover of one of my favorite political songs in these days of confused allegiances. Feel free to skip my singing and just read the lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “The Kingdom of Jesus”

Podcast #174 – Me and Scotty B (Deep Dive)

October 9, 2024

Podcast episode #174 is another Deep Dive with Sarah and Doug discussing my latest piece on my 40-year friendship with local legend and restaurant owner, Scotty B. What does it mean to put down roots in a community and invest yourself in one place for decades? What does any of this have to do with the song “Me and Bobby McGee”? Listen and find out! … More Podcast #174 – Me and Scotty B (Deep Dive)

Me and Scotty B

October 8, 2024

The piece reflects on the lasting friendship and community impact between Pastor Jeremy and Scotty B, a beloved local restaurant owner. It contrasts their story with the song “Me and Bobby McGee,” highlighting Scotty B’s generosity, service, and the deep-rooted connections forged over three decades. They are collaborating for a fundraising luncheon on October 23, 2024. … More Me and Scotty B

Hometown Troubadour

September 24, 2024

Some thoughts on my journey as an unconventional pastor, currently with a bit of a “wandering” lifestyle. I explore the idea of being a modern troubadour — using music and storytelling to connect and minister to those outside traditional church walls. Is this a midlife crisis or the beautiful unfolding of a new season of ministry as a Home Troubadour? … More Hometown Troubadour