The Widow’s Portion: a Story of Faithfulness

There's an old, old story. You know the one. The one about the prophet who goes to a faraway land, hungry and tired. And God tells him to look for a woman with sticks, and ask her for … Read more...

Midweek Service: Deborah — “The LORD Is Marching Ahead of You”

This week finds me dipping once again into that time when we were between senior pastors, when we were in the midst of transition and new construction at the same time. It's really good for me to … Read more...

Foggy Morning: Ruminations & Photographs

I spent Thursday morning at the Goleta Slough last week, and I spoke into my phone as I sat there. This is the transcript of that speaking. (Pretty much!) I'm thinking this was an artist's playdate … Read more...

Midweek Service: What Are You Afraid Of?

Continuing a summer series of sermons, posting them on Wednesdays to honor a tradition of midweek services, long since gone. This one was preached in the summertime about six years ago and it is … Read more...

A Book Review: When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

So I get this invitation in an email, less than a week before leaving for Europe. It's from a blogger and author I greatly admire, though we live on opposite sides of the country and probably have … Read more...

The Gift of Travel — Part 10: Prague Views & Re-Entry — A Photo Essay

Before we left home, we purchased one optional tour and it was scheduled for our last day in Prague. With that tour, we had lunch, enjoyed a spectacular 25 minute concert, and enjoyed the … Read more...

The Gift of Travel — Part 9: Prague! A Photo Essay

You know what? This will probably be the next to the last post in this series. Amazing! I can imagine that you are relieved. You will see a lot of church stuff in this post, especially windows - … Read more...

The Gift of Travel — Part 8: The Czech Republic — A Photo Essay

Somewhere soon after leaving Bad Spandau, we crossed the border to The Czech Republic, heading for the small town of Litomerice. This post will feature that town and our introduction to … Read more...

The Gift of Travel — Part 7: Cruising Saxon Switzerland — A Photo Essay

This just may have been my favorite day of the entire cruise, and that is saying something, because I LOVED the whole experience. This is our 4th outing with Viking River Cruises. We combined the … Read more...