This summer marks my 20th year in full time ministry, graduating from Bethel Seminary on this day in 2005. I will probably be marking 20 years with some fresh reflections this summer on 20 years in ministry, and most of those 20 years of ministry in my hometown. For today, I wanted to share what … More 20 Years Out of Seminary
“This show is very personal,” I said stepping onto stage wearing a black cowboy shirt with white cowboy hat. “We’re going on a 75 minute journey through the country hits of the 20th century, but more personally, a trip into my childhood memories.” This summer I’m playing the soundtrack of my childhood – literally – with the help of my little cowgirl, Abby. … More Precious Memories
Willie Nelson may be my favorite country singer of all time. His nasally pitch is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love his unconventional timing and phrasing, and his songwriting is as legendary as his unique fingering on his Martin classical guitar, “Trigger.” This song is a bit of a tearjerker full of regret, just as Willie will confess many of his broken relationships are as well. … More #SaturdaySong – “Always On My Mind”
Happy Saturday! Dipping back into my Dylan set this week, here’s a great Bob Dylan song from his 1975 Blood on the Tracks album. He was living on his farm on the Crow River in Hanover, Minnesota, when he was writing this masterpiece of an album. I drive by that farm whenever I am in the area, and imagine him writing songs like this one staring out the window at the river. … More #SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”
Abby has been obsessed with this Dolly song for weeks, and she performed it recently at the Country Jam at the Gillespie Center. The mornings I drive her to the bus stop, she practices it in the car while we wait. Here’s us rough cut from the Cavern with Peter experimenting on the drums. I dig Abby’s dance moves. … More #SaturdaySong – “Here You Come Again”
Here’s Abby and I goofing around in our Music Cavern, doing a rough first take on “Jackson” as part of our classic country set we’re putting together. My first full show is this coming Monday in Eden Prairie. Making good memories! We recorded a few others, so look forward to more #SaturdaySongs in coming weeks. … More #SaturdaySong – “Jackson”
In this episode I share a word on our upcoming Country Jam event this Wednesday, and a short reflection from a brief encounter with my high school cross country and basketball coach on a wooded trail one morning. Coach’s cliche coaching advice strangely lined up perfectly with the Holy Spirit’s whisper in my ears these days. … More Podcast #201 – Keep Shooting!
This spring and summer I am putting together an old classic country set to perform at senior residences and other venues. The highlight has been getting Abby (10) involved and watching her embrace old Dolly Parton songs such as “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again.” Come see us May 14 at the Gillespie Center’s “Country Jam.” … More Classic Country Show
I was 21 years old. I was in the honeymoon period of my newfound faith. I still remember how exciting it was reading my new Study Bible. Everything was new. I had highlighter in hand. Underlining relevant passages. Pondering remarkable truths. I get emotional pulling out that old Bible, and remembering the moment I first underlined this or that passage. God was speaking to me. I was reading His love letters and falling deeper in love with my Savior. … More Explosive Truth
I made a silent vow to myself a few years ago to spend the money and miss seeing “bucket list” musical legends when they come to town. So, I have a little slush fund of “gig” cash hidden away in one of my books, and I’ve been dipping into it recently. In the past few weeks, I saw two 83-year old legends — Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. … More Pure Art, No Frills
Here’s a rough cut, first attempt at a newer song. A powerful message and charge to keep laboring for the LORD, and to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up and quit” (Gal. 6:9). I like the rough unpolished vocal for the message of this song, just as Jesus graciously works in and through our rough and unpolished lives. … More #SaturdaySong – “My Labour Is Not In Vain”
We celebrated Easter this year under the shadow of disease and death. We sang victory songs nearer to the tomb than usual. Jesus’ grave is empty, but we will someday be lowered into ours — at least temporarily. I used to visit a cemetery early on Easter morning before showing up at church to proclaim God’s victory over the grave. It’s good to stare death in the face before you go on stage to publicly announce its humiliation and defeat! … More Swedish Pancakes By the Empty Tomb
Here’s an artsy video snippet of one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs we covered at our recent show. I find great joy listening to Peter’s happy piano in the background, and don’t miss Jared’s wink on the drums at the beginning. We’re having fun. … More I Want You
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
The local newspaper ran a piece on my 20 years of hometown ministry and upcoming music debut at the Spring Fling concert fundraiser at the Gillespie Center on April 5. Check it out! … More Making Local News
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
I’m like a kid in a candy shop these days, living out some teenager’s dream of forming a band and preparing to play our first gig. I’m certainly blessed to have musically gifted friends (and their kids!). Let me introduce the band and share a peek into our first rehearsal this past weekend! … More Introducing the Band and a Promo Video
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
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
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
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!
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
A first crack at a favorite Dylan song. I’m discovering quickly that covering Dylan songs isn’t so much musically challenging, as lyrically challenging. That is, figuring out where to fit all the syllables from his spiraling and sprawling lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “I Want You”
I recently saw “A Complete Unknwown,” a film about Bob Dylan in theaters. The film starring talented Timothee Chalamet has inspired a fun new project in the works to kick of the new year. Let me share what I have in the works, and a few thoughts on this film. … More A Simple Twist of Faith
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. … More A Christmas Benediction
Kingdom Harbor 