Jesus doesn’t make sense. It’s probably not a great thing for a pastor to say. But it’s true. Our community is studying one of Jesus’ most famous sermons. And he said such odd things:“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is …

This is a guest post from my very own dad! He’s a United Methodist pastor serving in Bend, Oregon. I enjoy chatting church leadership with my dad and it’s fascinating to see how our generational differences bring different perspectives to our calling a…

Has this interaction ever happened in your life? You’ve had something difficult happen in your day. You’re frustrated, angry, annoyed. You come home and see a loved one. They ask if something’s wrong. You say with a smile, “No, it’s fine.”Yes, som…

This sermon was given today at Marysville United Methodist Church. Or if you prefer, you can watch it. Enjoy!You can outgrow lots of things. Some allergies as young kids go away. We outgrow some of our fears. A job, a relationship, the ability to eat w…

“Mom, can you turn up the slow?!” My three year screeched. I smiled. We were driving somewhere and he believes he is Lightning McQueen.”Wesley, did you mean, can I turn up the speed?””Um, yeah.” This summer I got to turn up the slow. This is my at…

I’m a recovering perfectionist. I think I always will be. It runs pretty deep in my DNA. A high drive to produce, contribute and make the world a more beautiful place has merit. We need people like this.And it could destroy me if I’m not careful.I have…

I’m in a season where there’s so much I’d want to share here but when I sit down to write, words refuse to be shaped. New worlds hide. Life-shifting truths become fuzzy. Sometimes I stick with it to see what might come with a little time. But most of t…

Like some of you, I’m a master of to do lists. I’ve tried all the apps, paper lists, notes on my phone, etc. to figure out the best way to track seemingly every single thought that enters my brain space. I’ve often become overwhelmed with the sheer num…

It’s an unsettling feeling to be gazing out on Holy Week from the perspective of a pastor and not feel the…hype.In some ways, this is the Super Bowl for pastors. Lots of new guests and friends often join us for worship gatherings around Easter. We’re…