Help Heal Our Hurting Body

February 3, 2026

We have set up an Immigrant Neighbor Crisis Fund to collect donations to go directly to the immigrant families in our partner church. Why? Because we are part of them, and they are part of us. To continue applying the metaphor, “The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” just as the white part of the Body cannot say to the black or brown part, “I don’t need you.” “All of you TOGETHER are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (12:27). … More Help Heal Our Hurting Body

Casting Pearls

January 23, 2026

today I began my campaign of flooding the Facebook zone, not partisan talking points or angry rants, but the words of Jesus with a bit of commentary. We’ll see what becomes of these gospel pearls as they land on the wet, mucky ground of the Facebook pigpen. Here’s my first post. … More Casting Pearls

Planet of the Apes & Politicians

January 22, 2026

I’m not prophesying the imminent downfall of the political establishment or the nation as a whole. I am offering a timeless warning that reckless, animal-like behavior and a lack of “humanity” in places of power and influence can set in motion a slow downward spiral into self-destructive chaos—personal and societal. Exchanging “the mind of a man for the mind of an animal” is, after all, Paul’s diagnosis of sin-infected humanity in his great letter to the Christians in the capital city of Rome. Where does this lead? Read on. … More Planet of the Apes & Politicians

Drinking the Kool-Aid

January 21, 2026

I reject dismissively labeling a fellow Christian as “woke” or “brainwashed by mainstream media” or a “lefty” just because they may critique the Right or fall left of center on certain issues. Why? Because many like me have come to hold their views by virtue of being a faithful Bible-believing, Evangelical Protestant upholding the conservative value of standing on the ancient text and testing (and often changing!) one’s views in light of the teachings of Jesus. … More Drinking the Kool-Aid

A Timely Word

January 20, 2026

My wife and I moved to the Twin Cities 20 years ago. It’s the place where we’ve lived the longest, where we’ve raised our kids, where I have taught theology and pastored churches and grown rich in friendships. People sometimes ask me: Do you ever want to move back to Texas? Get out of that Minnesota weather? I always answer the same way (with no offense to my Texas roots). … More A Timely Word

Our Need for MLK

January 19, 2026

On this MLK Day, we are reminded how badly we leaders of moral character and wisdom. This generation of well-meaning protesters filling the streets of my city lack the training in non-violent resistance that MLK taught and embodied. If we don’t hear words like following these days coming from our political leaders, maybe we should be turning our ears again to preachers like MLK. … More Our Need for MLK

Remaining Calm in the Societal Storm

January 16, 2026

Jesus was no stranger to bad weather. Once he criticized a first century weather forecaster, saying: “You can predict the weather, but not the signs of the times” (Matt 16:3). It doesn’t take a spiritual sage to read the signs of our times. A societal storm is raging and one scene in the Gospels seems to resonate with what we’re feeling. … More Remaining Calm in the Societal Storm

The Least of These Are Crying Out

January 15, 2026

Over the weekend dozens of refugee families in Minnesota who have fled war, violence and religious persecution were cruelly and unjustly detained. U.S. federal immigration agents, some in plain clothes, deceitfully lured them — including children — from their homes. They were placed in detention, many transported to holding facilities out of state. Every one of these families used legal pathways under the Refugee Act of 1980, completing one of the world’s most rigorous vetting processes. … More The Least of These Are Crying Out

On Repentance

January 15, 2026

Both Jesus and John the Baptist begin their preaching with the same word: “Repent.” The “R-word” has lots of baggage and needs a second look and more expansive understanding. For repentance is good news, not a gloomy indictment. Listen to the words of Bishop Kallistos Ware today. … More On Repentance

This Is Why We Pray

January 14, 2026

A trusted ministry partner of the Northwest Conference and MainStreet Covenant, Transform MN, has put words to this moment in which we find ourselves in the following essay, “This is Why We Pray.” Mission Friends, let’s seek the Lord together in our time of need … urgently, fervently, continuously, desperately. … More This Is Why We Pray

Paul’s Handkerchief

January 13, 2026

My faith was tested a couple years ago sitting in the ICU as our son battled for his life. I leaned friends and family who showed up with visits, cards, meals, and words of love. But I’ll be honest: words alone felt impotent. Even Scripture rarely penetrated my soul. What did minister to me powerfully was Apostle Paul’s handkerchief. Let me explain! … More Paul’s Handkerchief

No More Mr. ICE Guy

January 7, 2026

Nothing can provoke anger quicker than mercy, when it’s directed to the wrong kind of people.

Marking the church’s Year of Jubilee, Pope Leo XIV invoked biblical language calling for kindness to migrants as human beings made in the image of God. There’s nothing the least bit controversial about this. It’s what the Bible says, what Christians have always believed, what official Catholic teaching makes explicit. Some people didn’t like this. … More No More Mr. ICE Guy

Soul Medicine: Full Serenity Prayer

January 5, 2026

Years ago a therapist prescribed for me the daily practice of praying the famous Serenity Prayer to help me navigate anxiety. While this prayer is usually associated with recovery groups, it has much broader application for many other personal afflictions. I was asked to look up the “full version” which I didn’t know existed. It is medicine to the soul. … More Soul Medicine: Full Serenity Prayer

Beware of ICEy Conditions

December 18, 2025

I’m a pastor in a multiethnic denomination of immigrants, where my brothers and sisters are being terrorized by ICE raids and growing hostility and fear caused by this administration’s rhetoric and tactics. Our immigrant churches are half empty on Sundays, as families are afraid to leave their homes. No presents are under the tree, and cupboards are growing bare as they are afraid to go shopping. … More Beware of ICEy Conditions

Blessed Are the Horoscope Readers

December 17, 2025

Do you think the magi would be welcome in our churches if they showed up this Christmas Eve? I suspect these ouija board playing, crystal ball rubbing, tarot card reading visitors would be met with suspicious looks and hushed whispers, brushed off and awkwardly avoided. They certainly would not be invited to come forward and play a central role in the worship service.  … More Blessed Are the Horoscope Readers

Blessed Are The Speechless

December 15, 2025

We are only reading half the story if we focus only on the speechlessness of Zechariah. Before long the mute becomes a minstrel, the silenced one a songbird, the castigated becomes a crooner for Christ. From that day forward, Mercy and Joy are the theme of Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah’s song. Blessed are those who have been mesmerized by God’s mercy, silenced by salvation, flabbergasted by forgiveness, and enraptured by God’s rescue. … More Blessed Are The Speechless

Blessed Are the Carnies

December 11, 2025

Ebenezer Scrooge had a hard time grasping and embracing the spirit and message of Christmas. The rich and self-sufficient always do. Their own personal kingdoms loom so large that they have a hard time making room for God’s Kingdom.
This is why the glad tidings were given to poor shepherds instead of wealthy aristocrats. Shepherds were the carnies of Jesus’ day. They had a reputation for being  dirty, smelly vagabonds. … More Blessed Are the Carnies

Flesh-Ripping Words & the Word Become Flesh

December 10, 2025

In these days of online retribution, excoriating political opponents, and defaming others’ character, we do well to remember that in the middle of the Christmas story stands a man who goes out of his way to protect another from public disgrace. The historical record gives us very little on Joseph, but one description stands out: “Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man.” … More Flesh-Ripping Words & the Word Become Flesh

Blessed Are the Fed Up

December 9, 2025

The fourth Beatitude of Bethlehem announces that God’s favor rests upon those who wake up each morning with the smell of a more just society wafting through the air, and whose heart’s growl from an inconsolable hunger for God’s Kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” They carry with them secret recipes and samples on a toothpick of the delicious promises God will serve up when His Kingdom comes in full.  … More Blessed Are the Fed Up

Blessed Are the Underachievers

December 5, 2025

The central message of Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom is that He offers good news to the poor and needy losers, and offers a stern warning for the proud and self-sufficient winners in society. He’s not opposed to the winners and hard-working overachievers; he just knows that such folks tend to be less receptive, and at times openly hostile, to His gospel message about free handouts of grace and forgiveness to undeserving screw-ups.  … More Blessed Are the Underachievers