build a life that builds the world.
Last month I wrote about The Lovely Bones and The Road being turned into films, and how (correct me if I’m wrong) both novels are part of Oprah’s Book Club. Her latest pick is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, and while I haven’t read it yet it was the selection for my … Read more
I started reading Nerd World, a nerdy, nerdy blog co-written by Time Magazine writer Lev Grossman and The Simpsons executive producer and writer Matt Selman, because of Selman’s connection to my favorite show. Selman was also nice enough to donate Simpsons scripts to a giant trivia Simpsons trivia contest I organized in the housing & … Read more
My most-popular blog post is from 2019, Five Practical Gift Ideas for Your Pastor or Seminary Student. Every year, thousands of people find this website through that post, which is amazing, because it means people are thinking about how to show their appreciation for the pastor, clergy, or seminary students in their lives. Thank you … Read more
Three years ago, I wrote possibly my most-popular blog article ever, Five Practical Gift Ideas for Your Pastor or Seminary Student. Today, I’m writing this while on a 1-month spiritual renewal leave. This renewal leave is a true gift, and I’m grateful to be clergy in a system that has it built in and to … Read more
I scheduled this to debut on Thanksgiving Day because there are thousands of people who are out there working so, so hard to be a good host today. They’ve put in the time, energy, and emotional investment to clean that house, set up those tables, and cook up that food so you feel welcomed. If … Read more
I love officiating weddings. This year, I had the blessing of officiating four weddings, the most in one year for me since pandemic. One was outdoors and hot, one was outdoors and cold, one was indoors because of rain but with open-air wall-sized doors pulled open, and one was outdoors and a remarriage and the … Read more
Our family likes games. Our family doesn’t like fighting. It’s interesting how a simple game can get people riled up. Like, okay: picture Monopoly. Picture everyone at the table playing. Are people having a good time? Is everybody having a good time?! In your mind’s eye, is that game board still on the table or … Read more
A friend recently asked me if I had a book handy that they could either borrow or if I could at least help them out with a quote from a portion of it for their research. I don’t have that particular book in my collection, but I did find the portion they were asking about … Read more
It’s the holiday shopping season and if you have engaged friends – or newlywed friends, or someone is about to pop the question – in your life on your shopping list, chances are you have their marriage in mind. Good, because so do they! At the time of this writing, I’ve officiated at fourteen weddings … Read more
It’s the holiday shopping season and if you have a clergy person – or pastor or seminary student or church ministry professional – in your life who is on your shopping list, chances are you have their vocation in mind as a potential angle on the perfect gift. There’s a lot of “Christian Stuff” out … Read more