The next time someone makes you feel guilty for taking a much needed vacation, consider sharing with them the following case for biblical rest and vacation. (Note: The following make the case for both a weekly day off (sabbath rest) and occasional extended vacations (a week or two)). We are a mess without sabbath. I think … More Thus saith the Lord, “Take a Vacation!” (Pt. 2)
I’m currently trying to enjoy some time away from work — for me that means church related stuff and ministry situations. My email ‘Out of the Office’ notice is on, and my voicemail alerts people that I am not taking calls. I asked our leadership team not just for a vacation (which typically means family time, … More Thus saith the Lord, “Take a Vacation!” (Pt. 1)
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 4 (Matt. 22:1-14)
Exactly 10 years ago today I married the most beautiful, fun, strong, life-giving, faith-filled woman on planet earth. I struck gold and now she’s given me 3 amazing kids and a life that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’ve shared bits and pieces of our story over the years but thought it’d be good … More Happy 10th Anniversary: Our Story
8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 3 (Matt. 22:1-14)
Ever been rejected? It hurts. Ever put yourself out there so far, and having been rejected so bad, you vow never to risk it again? Perhaps we can take some consolation in the fact that even God experiences rejection. I believe God doesn’t force his will on anyone, but rather desires for us to freely … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 2 (Matt. 22:1-14)
Let’s pick apart a parable together. Our modern American church culture is obsessed with the big and flashy. This “bigger is better” mindset usually cuts right against the Kingdom way of Jesus that celebrates small looking things that appear unimpressive- – like mustard seeds. But one thing Jesus and our churches both can unite around … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 1 (Matt. 22:1-14)
For fun I’m reposting a summer series from 2010 from when I took a paper route while trying to get MainStreet started. Enjoy! Almost every night on my paper route this past summer and fall, I would stop into Super America for junk food and pop. Don’t tell Keri. Richard is the cashier for the … More Nocturnal Summer 4
“What did you get on that hole?” the scorecard keeper asks. Your answer may not be as simple as just counting up your strokes. For many, this question immediately forces an ethical dilemma or sparks an internal wrestling match with one’s conscience. Do I tell him the truth– that I got “a snowman” on the … More GOLF & GOD (9): Mulligans & Scorecards
For fun I’m reposting a summer series from 2010 from when I took a paper route while trying to get MainStreet started. Enjoy! We live in a busy, noisy world. Sadly, much of the noise is self-induced as we constantly fill every potential silence and solitude with our iPod, a television, radio or constant activity … More Nocturnal Summer 3
We live in a world that has largely forgotten how to play. When our worth and value is measured primarily by what we DO for a living and how much we ACCOMPLISH individually, then just “wasting a day” in the pure enjoyment of a fun hobby or game is really a lost art and rare … More GOLF & GOD (8): Relax! It’s Just a Game
I’m reposting a fun summer series from 2010 from when I had a paper route while trying to get MainStreet started. Enjoy some late night ramblings! I’ve long been a ‘night owl.’ At first, I thought it was a college phase that would eventually fade. I thought ‘real adults’ become early birds like my dad when … More Nocturnal Summer 2 – Night Watchman
Ask any golf expert what separates the pros from the pack of beginners and intermediate “hackers” on the course, and they will all tell you its the putting game. Many people mistakingly believe that its the 300 yard drive that makes the pros so good. While a long tee shot doesn’t hurt at all, it’s … More GOLF & GOD (7): Mastering God’s Green
For fun I’m reposting a summer series from 2010 from when I took a paper route while trying to get MainStreet started. Enjoy! I picked up a weekday paper route this summer to earn some quick cash as we begin to plant a new church. No, this isn’t the cute little 30 papers in a … More Nocturnal Summer 1
I’ve been creating a baseball field on our lower lawn this summer. I’m letting the outfield grow wild in order to create habitat and let wild flowers and native grasses return. I’m also trying to create a Field of Dreams-like outfield grass fence — our own Green Monster. (Should I plant some corn out there … More Welcome to Stumphole Field!
There was a young man who did his best to follow all of the laws of Moses. But he knew that it was impossible to do everything the law commanded and lived in fear of God’s punishment. Then one day a new rabbi came to his village. This rabbi preached a message unlike any he … More The Parable of the Butterfly (Mike Fox)
Every golfer knows that what goes on between the ears is just as critical for success as all the other mechanics that go into a golfer’s game. In fact, long after you have mastered the mechanics of a smooth, skillful golf swing, the mental game continues to be the greatest obstacle for the advanced golfer. … More GOLF & GOD (6): The Mind Game
The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course of Idaho is the proud home of the world’s first floating green — an intimidating target with water on all sides. But remember, “everything breaks towards the water.” Ka-plunk! Splash! Ever have one of those rounds where it seems as though if there’s water to be found, your ball … More GOLF & GOD (5): Water Hazards
Almost every single sporting game involves the use of established boundaries and penalizes players for going “out of bounds.” Whether we’re playing football, baseball, soccer, the gymnastics floor exercise or the game of golf, every honest player accepts the established boundaries and agrees to abide by the official rules of the game. And, if you’ve … More GOLF & GOD (4): Out of Bounds
I’m reposting this from 2010 in light of my current series called “Going Green.” -JB I’m an “environmentalist” — but of a certain kind. I’m a Christian whose worldview holds that the earth is God’s good creation and human beings were created in the image of the wise, creative, caring God who gave us the … More VIDEO: Is Environmentalism a Religion?
I worked on the grounds crew at Burl Oaks Golf Club in high school for four years. I absolutely loved almost every aspect of this job — mowing the greens, fairways and roughs, moving the hole placements, landscaping, washing and gassing carts. I can still smell the fresh morning air as I remember mowing greens … More GOLF & GOD (3): Sand Traps: Blessing or Curse?
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt 7:13-14). The flag stands some 500 yards away on … More GOLF & GOD (2): Playing the Fairway
Dave Goldberg died tragically about a month ago on vacation with family. His wife, Sheryl Sandberg, is the COO of Facebook and a very thoughtful soul who bravely shared the following personally heart-wrenching thoughts on her grieving process. There is wisdom and humanity in these words. Read, reflect and hug your loved ones a little longer … More Honest Reflections on Grief and Loss (by Sheryl Sandberg)
Our first born is named Peter. This means, among other things, that we’ve been given many copies of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit books. I can’t count how many times I’ve read the tale of that fluffy, nosey rabbit sneaking into Farmer McGregor’s garden only to steal a carrot and barely escape with his life. While … More Peter Rabbit in the Garden of Eden
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of my heroes. He was a brilliant and gentle follower of Jesus. He formed an underground seminary in Nazi Germany and taught people the loving Way of Jesus. He stood fast and resisted the pressure to go along with the churches that were under the influence of Hitler’s regime. (I tried … More A Hymn for the Suffering by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Kingdom Harbor 