Happy New Year! It’s January again…which happens to be my favorite month of the year as everything has my name on it (ok, it’s not really my favorite month but almost everything does say “Jan.” on it!). I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year’s celebrating with...
Christmas is one week from today! I’m not sure how that is even possible. I feel like I just asked everyone to mark their calendars for the Hanging of the Greens and here we are only 7 days from the big day. For the last several weeks, I’ve asked you...
Oh the things that come out of my mouth! Sometimes I say the most thought-provoking things and other times I say things like, “I’m given to understand that most families open up their pajamas on Christmas morning.” In case you missed yesterday’s sermon, we all had a good laugh at...
A lot has happened in this past week. As always, with life, things crawl along until suddenly they fly past you. As I shared yesterday morning before the sermon, our roof at HBIC has been having issues ever since the tornado hit two years ago. With each passing storm, more...
Year after year I proclaim that there shall be no Christmas celebration until my turkey is eaten. Year after year my family challenges me on this concept and tries to sneak Christmas music and festive trees into everyday events. I guess you could call it our tradition. And then, without...
This is the week that we specifically pause to give thanks. As we prepare our turkeys, stuffing, and multitude of desserts, we also set our hearts and minds on the things for which are thankful. In our fast-paced world, it’s always nice to slow down for a few minutes to...
One thing I don’t miss from when I worked with preschoolers is playing board games. When it comes to playing games, I tend to be a little competitive. Maybe it’s because I’m terrible at sports and so I need at least one competitive area to excel in. Maybe it’s because...
We had a great time in Tennessee! Not only was it warm and sunny in the south, but more importantly, we all had some very intimate quiet time with God. I find it interesting as a former youth pastor that we plan and organize retreats for youth in order to...
So are you a goat or an elf? After yesterday’s message, I hope, if you’re a goat, you have a little more interest in theology. If you’re an elf, then I’m sure you’re even more excited than usual! If you missed yesterday’s sermon, you are vastly confused and need to...
As we come through this week, it looks like fall weather will finally be descending upon us! As the weather gets cooler and crisper, the days get shorter. Can you believe we turn the clocks back in less than two weeks! I love this time of year when it’s no...