I recently received a message from a friend expressing excitement over the birth of my firstborn. To be honest, the word, firstborn, jarred me.
I am, indeed, expecting a Baby Girl in just a couple of weeks who – assuming all goes well - will be...
As a youth pastor, I'm privileged to walk with teens as they transition from high school into college. Typically, teens leave high school with huge dreams and aspirations, feeling as though they can conquer the world. All too often, four years...
I first heard Becca Stevens speak several years ago at the ELCA's Youth Ministry Extravaganza. That year, she also spoke at the ELCA's triennial Youth Gathering. I was intrigued by her work. She's an Episcopal priest who founded a non-profit, ...
I used to believe there was such a thing as a perfect church. Then I became a youth pastor and started working for the church. I quickly realized just how imperfect the church is.
Of course, this shouldn't be surprising. The church is made of...
I'm a book junkie. Just ask my father-in-law – who recently spent the better part of a day moving my library upstairs to make room for Baby Bradbury downstairs.
I wholeheartedly believe that you learn by reading. Even so, for a variety of...
What the book's about: From Moses to Jesus, in The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann highlights the prophetic vision found in Scripture and explores what it means for us today.
Why I read this book: After a friend recommended this...
What the book's about: Stitches: A handbook on meaning, hope, and repair contains celebrated author Anne Lamott's reflections following the shootings in Newtown, CT. As it's subtitle suggests, it's a book about meaning, hope, and repair.
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I typically love winter.
I love the holidays and our annual winter ski vacation.
This year, however, winter has drug for me... And since I live in the Chicago area, I know it's far from over.
Being pregnant, I can no longer ski....
I chose my word for 2015 – hope - while in the hospital for the last two days.
For the last two years, choosing a word of the year has been a healthy practice for me. In 2013, I chose the word brave. Last year, my word was enough. Both shaped...
It's January. That means that once again, it's time for K-Love's 30-Day Challenge – something I have some concerns about. In response to my concerns, today I'm continuing to critically evaluate some of the songs that...