The post emphasizes the essential role of peacemaking, inspired by Jesus’ teachings. It questions whether individuals embody peacemaking or merely add to societal discord. Encouraging humility, kindness, and bridge-building, it suggests that true engagement transcends conflict and highlights the value of a peaceful approach in a divided world. … More Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” But in today’s political landscape, it’s so easy for our hearts to become clouded. Anger, partisanship, bitterness, self-righteousness – these things creep in and blur our vision. We can’t resist this on our own. We need His help to keep our hearts pure. … More Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Mike Glenn discusses the ongoing debate within the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the role of women as pastors, criticizing the fixation on church titles. He argues that such disputes detract from the church’s real mission: engaging with the community as missionaries. In contemporary society, he emphasizes the importance of being proactive in spreading faith rather than worrying about titles. … More What’s in a Name?
Happy Saturday! I’m filling in for two weeks at a local nursing home chapel, and doing a two-part series called, “Wind & Fire.” Last week all the songs had a WIND theme, and this Sunday I’m doing a bunch of FIRE songs. Here’s a newer one I found by Jordan St. Cyr that I am learning. Enjoy! … More #SaturdaySong – “Fires”
A rabbi learns from Elijah that two jesters who make others smile are assured of the world to come. Jeremy shares how bringing music to senior homes uplifts spirits, especially for those like Betty, who is in hospice. Support is needed to continue this meaningful outreach ministry. … More Making Betty Smile
Politics often awakens a hunger to win: To argue. To feel superior. To prove them wrong. But Jesus invites us into something deeper: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” That kind of hunger doesn’t ignore injustice. Rather, it fights for what is good and true. But it fights with humility, not hostility. It seeks restoration, not revenge. It builds up, rather than tears down. … More Righteous Hunger
From Barna: Today’s teens are navigating a mental health crisis: 39 percent frequently feel uncertain or anxious, 29 percent are regularly lonely and 26 percent often feel isolated. But parents are feeling the strain too. Four in 10 say they’re too stressed to function most days, and many lack the emotional support they need to care for … More Gen Z is Hurting, and Parents Too
This fall we are spending several weeks meditating on the Beatitudes in a series of posts by the good folks at The After Party. This week we turn to Blessed are the Meek. I would like to start with a personal question: If the meek will inherit the land, then why do we allow the … More Meekness Isn’t Weakness
Jeremy reflects on a summer of stagnation, struggling with motivation and creativity while waiting for divine inspiration. He shares insights on faith, the challenge of being still, and the paradox of finding strength in weakness. Music has provided a refreshing outlet, stirring new creative impulses and a longing for spiritual renewal. … More Windsocks & Wind Chimes
Jesus called out predatory religion, disrupted economies of exploitation, named rulers’ threats without flinching, and still refused the sword. Loving our enemies never meant moral equivalence, but refusing to mirror their violence while committing to standing between them and the people they crush. … More The Way of Jesus is Still Narrow
This is a powerful sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber for this moment, originally shared in the wake of a mass shooting years ago. As a woman preacher, I can’t help but love St Mary Magdalen. When I first discerned my call to be a preacher I got a tattoo of her on my forearm. I felt that when I needed to, I could borrow her strength. … More Mary Magdalen & Showing Up After Violence
“Our society is experiencing change at unprecedented rates. Young people are navigating these changes alongside the challenges that adolescence and young adulthood present. Young people want and need safe spaces and relationships to talk about what they’re experiencing and find guidance on how to move forward” (Springtide). … More Helping Young People In Uncertain Times
It’s easy to look at the brokenness in our nation and just feel angry. Angry at “those people,” angry at leaders, angry at the way things are. We live in a culture addicted to outrage. Outrage mobilizes. It raises money. It fills cable news time slots.
But Jesus doesn’t say “Blessed are those who rage.” He says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” … More Do we Mourn … or Just Rage?
Saturdays I try to pick up my guitar, push record, and share a little impromptu, one take song to start your lazy (or busy!) Saturday. Here’s a classic song by Kris Kristofferson I just learned and will be performing Monday at my classic country concert at Founders Ridge. … More #SaturdaySong – “Help Me Make it Through the Night”
Yesterday, nine former directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who served under both Democratic and Republican presidents reaching back to President Jimmy Carter, published an op-ed in the New York Times warning that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “is endangering every American’s health.” … More Nine Former Directors of the CDC
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”
Kingdom Harbor 