I alluded to it yesterday but in life we all need radical grace. Not just a little bit to make things warm and fuzzy, but grace that extends beyond all of our fears, failures and fouls ups. I need it. You need it. This guy needs it . . . And so did this guy. . . We all need grace. And you know what? No matter who you are or what you have done God’s grace is available to … →
There is snow on the mountains and you are cuddled up next to the fireplace. The Christmas tree is decorated and the stockings are hung. You are sitting in your favorite chair drinking a warm cup of hot cocoa. The snow begins to fall and Christmas lights shine through the beautiful twilight. It all sounds kind of wonderful, almost like a fairy tale. Life is not a fairytale for most of us. Everyone experiences something different during the holidays. For … →
. . . GIRL!!! 94 days ago I left this blog to spend time reflecting on my life, reading my Bible and allowing some of the things I had learned over the last year to sink into my thick skull. But I also left off just days after we found out we were pregnant. After 13 1/2 weeks I am back with all kinds of exciting news and insights, but for now I will leave you with pic of daddy’s … →
A few days ago I posted about our trip to Michigan and the fact that it left me wanting to deal with the demons from my past. The post ended rather rhetorical as I was looking for an idea of how to do things differently than the ways I had tried in recent years to deal with my past. I had an idea in my head that has been rattling around for a few months here it is: “Benji, you … →
What if your church didn’t exist anymore? Would anyone notice? One of my favorite pastors, Steve Deur, asks this question often of his church on the shores of Lake Michigan and it resonates with me as I visit other churches and think about my own. It is a hard question to ask yourself if you are a pastor or church staff member. But these types of questions must be asked. Last night I attended a free indie garage band concert … →
This past week my wife and I flew to Michigan for my cousins wedding and a little relaxation time with family. It was by far one of the best times I have spent with my family in a long time. We laughed, we cried, we made new memories and we visited old ones. It truly was a great week. However at the end of the trip I was confronted with some of the demons that lurk in my heart and … →
“WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN TODAY, I NEVER NEEDED ANYBODY’S HELP IN ANY WAY. BUT NOW THESE DAYS ARE GONE, I’M NOT SO SELF ASSURED, NOW I FIND I’VE CHANGED MY MIND I’VE OPENED UP THE DOORS.” – Verse from Help by The Beatles I hate feeling helpless. I think that is why I hated getting the sunburn this past week more than anything. The pain left me feeling helpless. As a lot of you know and … →
After a 10 day hiatus I am back and ready for you to scratch my back. What? Last week my wife and I spent a wonderful week in Michigan with my brother, his wife and my mom. It was one of the best weeks I have had back home in a long time. We visited old vacation hot spots, spent time with cousins, ushered at a wedding and even got to surf some of the slop on Lake Michigan. It … →
Singer and songwriter Josh Kelley has a song called “Old Time Memory” and a portion of the lyrics are as follows: “Cuz I belong to the best of you And you belong to the things I do Well this song is how i’ll remember you Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone Cuz I can tell you what its like to be gone You’re an old time memory” I love my family and miss them often. … →
Earlier this week a local pastor friend Lee Coate from The Crossing re-posted a Top 10 list from a local church that will remain unnamed. The pastor of a church of under 100 people in size posted the Top 10 reasons to attend a smaller church. Here is what the pastor wrote: Do you think this list is worth posting? Why post something attacking big churches in your neighborhood or community? Are any of the 10 exclusive benefits to a … →
