The kids are back in school! Now a strange silence fills the house after our three kids all get on the same bus this year at 7:30. In this stillness, my contemplative soul can breathe again and find space conducive to creative pursuits. But in the stillness and quiet, many of us can also feel and hear the deep sigh of weariness that broods just beneath the surface. … More Feeling Weary? You’re Not Alone.
Sneaking this one in before this beautiful Saturday is over. Keri put this song by Bob Schneider on a mixtape that she gave to me when we first started dating. It has always struck a deep chord in me. Enjoy! … More #SaturdaySong – “Metal and Steel”
As a gift to my Mom and Dad on their 50th anniversary, I took my first stab at being a “recording artist” and recorded this special song for them by Paul Overstreet. After a week of recording and trying to mix the audio well (watching HOURS of sound mixing tutorials), I spent this past week creating a music video featuring old family video clips and photos. … More 50th Anniversary Song: “What God Has Joined Together”
In this episode, I announce the upcoming release of my latest book, “The Tale of the Grandfather Clock”, dedicated to Mom and Dad who celebrate their 50th Anniversary this week! To introduce the book, we turn to our friends Sarah and Doug who unpack it in their latest “Deep Dive” episode. … More Podcast #212 – Wedding Bells & Clanging Clocks
This week my Mom and Dad celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary! So, it’s the perfect time to announce the release of my latest short story picture book, “The Tale of the Grandfather Clock: A Wedding Parable.” The book is dedicated to them. Here’s a sneak peek. … More NEW BOOK: Tale of the Grandfather Clock
Our church recently completed a 12-week exploration of “The Cruciform Kingdom,” focusing on the essence of Christ-like love, non-violence, and peacemaking. Jesse P. Nickel’s “A Revolutionary Jesus” highlights Jesus’ role as a peacemaker, emphasizing the significance of the cross in understanding his victory over evil through non-violent means. … More The Victory of the Cross
Part of the magic of my marriage with Keri these past 20 years is that we have similar music tastes. The one tragic exception is she does not like Elton John. Even more inexplicable, she does not even like THIS song, which may rank in my top 10 of best love songs of all time. … More #SaturdaySong – “Your Song”
I bought a “new” vintage guitar – a restored 1949 Gibson LG-2 acoustic, and it sounds great! In today’s podcast episode, I talk about “incarnational spirituality” and how God delights in working in and through ordinary objects like dirty handkerchiefs and old wooden guitars. Then Doug and Sara discuss an old piece I wrote reflecting on life and faith through the metaphor of music and Willie Nelson’s old guitar “Trigger.” … More Podcast #211 – Vintage Guitars & Incarnational Spirituality
We celebrated the life of my Uncle Gary a couple weeks back. I was privileged to participate in the service, along with my kids and other grand nieces and nephews. Peter and I led us in some hymns, and we performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (without breaking down, somehow). I shared the sermon and am including the script here for anyone interested. … More Looking for the Living Among the Dead
Happy Saturday. Grab your morning coffee and newspaper, or book, or crossword, or lap dog, and enjoy this song by Storyhill that I played for Keri at our wedding reception 20 years ago! … More #SaturdaySong – “If I Could”
I’ve been on vacation this past week, so no action here at Kingdom Harbor. My worlds collide in this stack of books I’ve been plodding through this summer — theology, spirituality, music and art. What are you reading these days? … More Worlds Collide: Summer Books
Happy Saturday! Each Saturday I try to share a song – usually a rough, first take recording from the basement music room. Still, hopefully they sound good enough to brighten your weekend and put a smile on your face. This is a special song Katy Perry sings with her daughter that Abby shared with Uncle … More #SaturdaySong – “Cover Me In Sunshine”
In this episode I pay tribute to my Uncle Gary who passed away this week. About a month ago I recorded these thoughts on my phone during an evening walk as I pondered Gary’s humble service to his church as cemetery caretaker. Here’s a rare glimpse of me “thinking out loud” on one of my Jesus Walks. … More Podcast #210 – Uncle Gary: Cemetery Caretaker
This song is for my love, Kjerstin Jo, on our 20th wedding anniversary this week! The song is by Pete Murray, one Keri sent me last week. It’s been in my head ever since. I hope she will accept it as an alternative to flowers; it will last longer. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “Home to Me”
Me and the kids are performing tonight at Surfside Beach in Mound between 6:30-8:30 as part of the Westonka Showcase to kick off our city’s Spirit of the Lakes Festival. Grab a lawn chair and come hear us! Perfect night. … More Live Music Tonight!
20 Years is a BIGGY. I’m usually not short for words, but today I’m gonna just share a few photos and let them do the talking. And I recorded a remix of my song “Angels in the Sky”, giving it a different vibe.The song tells the story of our first few dates. I love you, Keri Jo. Here’s to 20 more! … More Happy 20th Anniversary, Keri Jo!
This is a tender moment caught on video. I was joined by music therapist Chris playing amazing Grace for my uncle Gary in hospice. These music therapists are angels in disguise, having a powerful impact. … More #SaturdaySong – “Amazing Grace” in a Hospital
In this hodge hodge episode, I share some of my summer adventures, roadtrips, readings, and some thoughts on recently being selected for my high school athletic hall of fame! … More Podcast #209 – Midsummer Meanderings
The author shares insights on three impactful books: “Van Gogh: The Life,” which deeply explores the artist’s troubled psyche; “Blood in the Tracks,” highlighting the overlooked Minnesota musicians behind Dylan’s masterpiece; and Dallas Willard’s new “The Scandal of the Kingdom,” revealing the transformative significance of Jesus’s parables in contemporary life. … More Vacation Reading
Some all-American music for this Fourth of July weekend. One thing Americans can still be proud of in these not-so-great times is all the great music that this country has given to the world. PS: Peter enjoys going shirtless in the summers…especially on lazy Saturdays. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “All Shook Up”
An American song on this holiday weekend. … More “America” (Simon & Garfunkel)
Greg Speck is hilarious. He’s also anointed to bring the message of God’s amazing grace and undying love to squirrelly middle schoolers and too-cool high schoolers. At the end of every event, he invited everyone to send him a friend request on Facebook. Once you become “friends,” you are on Greg’s list. And once you are on it, you cannot get off of it, but why would you want to? I am on Greg’s list. … More Are You On Greg’s List?
This episode of the Anchor Podcast comes to you from the Pepin Forest Tree House where I am spending a night away for my birthday. In this episode, I share a bit about ministering to my uncle in hospice, recommend a great Tom Petty song, and then pick up part 3 of the story of my call to ministry in my hometown 20 years ago. Enjoy! … More Podcast #208 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 3
My uncle Gary is nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage. Hospital rooms and end of life ministry are what the Irish call “thin places” where our earthly realm often bumps up against the heavenly realm. Today, Gary shared something very special. “Last night Mom came to me in my sleep to say hello.” Mom (aka my grandma) is in Heaven, so tears welt up in all of our eyes. … More Uncle Gary’s Southern Accent
Happy Saturday! Here’s a classic Alan Jackson song, one of the “newer” songs in my classic country show that takes us on a trip through the 20th century, going back as far as the 1870s and spending most time in the 1960s and 70s. Wink, wink. ;) … More #SaturdaySong – “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
Jeremy Berg 