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About a month ago, a couple of the companies I order from online sent me emails—not unusual; I get more than enough of those. But these were different. They asked me something I didn’t expect: “Do you want to opt out of Mother’s Day emails this year?” And then, just this past week, they did the same for Father’s Day. The message behind these little checkboxes was clear: they recognized that for many people, these days are not always joyful. Or at least, not only joyful. There’s a complicated swirl of feelings that come with these holidays—some deeply grateful, others quietly grieving. And I thought,Read More →

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What if death isn’t the end? We know that’s the heart of the Easter story—and now, it’s showing up in an unlikely place: deep space. A recent study from researchers at the University of Sheffield suggests that black holes—those mysterious regions of space known for swallowing everything, even time—may not be the final, inescapable void we once thought. Instead, they may become white holes, cosmic phenomena that eject matter, energy, and even time itself back into the universe. Let that sink in: What we assumed was an ending might actually be a beginning. For decades, scientists believed that a black hole marked the absolute endRead More →

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At the end of Earth Month, I’ve been reflecting on the growing tree in our Fellowship Hall—not a real one, but one just as alive. As you can see in the photo, you can see what I mean: colorful leaves, blossoms, birds and pollinators sprouting across the branches, each one representing an action someone in our church has taken—or hopes to take—to care for God’s creation. Some of the leaves are simple and sweet:“Turn off lights when leaving a room.”“Walk to school instead of drive.”“Grow my own vegetables.” Others are bolder:“Stop using plastic water bottles.”“Plant a tree.”“Install solar panels at church.”“Switch to cloth napkins atRead More →

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Good Friday is somber. Easter Sunday is joyful. But what about Saturday? Holy Saturday—the day between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection—rarely gets the spotlight. There’s no big service, no grand tradition. Which sometimes makes it just another spring Saturday, but it’s supposed to be a quiet day. An awkward day. A day full of waiting. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly the point. The Gospels don’t say much about that Saturday. After Jesus dies on Friday, we’re told his body is placed in the tomb, and then… silence. Luke 23:56 gives us one simple note: “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” That’s it.Read More →

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Preaching on the ‘big Sundays’—Christmas and Easter—can feel a lot like performing in front of an audience with high expectations. You see, when I first started preaching those Sundays over ten years ago, I got caught up in the pressure to deliver a sermon that would be unforgettable. I wanted to make sure the message resonated deeply with everyone, no matter how often they came to church. But let me tell you, that pressure can be a bit overwhelming. The tricky part about preaching on these special days is understanding the diversity of the congregation. It’s not just the regular folks who come every Sunday.Read More →

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Last Sunday, my family and I did something that doesn’t happen often—we took the day off. A rare and much-needed sabbath for our household. We spent it in Chicago with dear family friends visiting from out of town, soaking in some of the city’s best: Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza (which never disappoints) and the Museum of Science and Industry. Now, even when I’m not preaching or leading worship, I can’t seem to turn off the part of my brain that’s always thinking about faith, theology, and the church. And wouldn’t you know it—this “day off” turned into a day of sacred discovery. Two exhibits atRead More →

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For the last two months, I haven’t been able to shake one scripture from my mind: Matthew 25:31–46. I think about daily. Take a moment and read it before you finish reading this blog.   It’s the moment when Jesus speaks of the final judgment—not of individuals, but of “all the nations.” That phrase matters. This is not just a personal reckoning. It’s a collective one. Jesus describes separating the sheep from the goats not just based on individual acts, but on how communities, societies, and yes—nations—respond to the most vulnerable among them. It’s a striking passage because Jesus doesn’t leave much room for interpretation.Read More →

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Something is happening at UMCG. It’s sneaky, but it’s real. We’re growing. Not in the way many of us might instinctively measure growth—not by packed pews or standing-room-only worship services—but in the way that reflects how church engagement has changed over time. For those who have been around church for generations, regular church attendance meant nearly every Sunday—48 weeks out of the year, give or take an illness or vacation. By 2010, that expectation had quietly shifted to about 1.9 times a month, or 18 Sundays a year. Then COVID changed everything. Now, regular attendance for many is once a month, or 12 Sundays aRead More →

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Leper: Touching the Untouchable In Mark 1:40-45, a man with leprosy approaches Jesus with a desperate plea: “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Leprosy in Jesus’ time wasn’t just a physical illness; it was a condition that led to social and religious ostracism. Many with leprosy were considered unclean and were forced to live apart from their communities, isolated and often forgotten – like AIDS patients in the ‘80’s. Jesus’ response is nothing short of revolutionary. Moved with compassion, he reaches out and touches the man—something no one else would dare to do. With just a word, Jesus heals him,Read More →