Inside the Minds of Valerie and Mike (and Anna)
In all reality, VMWishes.com was born August 19, 1989. On that date, Valerie and I married in Champaign, Illinois. The moniker “VMWishes,” did not come around for another year or so... Just married and just out of college, Valerie had just started her first real job and I was in graduate school. Bottom line... we could... Continue Reading →
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell... Continue Reading →
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13 for sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who... Continue Reading →
We recently had the opportunity to spend time with friends at their little place in a small village in Pennsylvania. When the skies and the moon cooperate, it’s a pretty decent place to star gaze, at least compared to where we live in the suburbs. And even though the moon was full, it didn’t rise... Continue Reading →
Due to some unusual circumstances and given that I was already prepping a children’s sermon, I was asked if I would lead worship using the Service of the Word liturgy. The invitation also included the note that a sermon was not expect on such short notice…24 hours. It was enough to consider how to adjust... Continue Reading →
As we enter this Advent season, I'm finding it difficult to contemplate what is down the road for the next four years (and beyond). Like so many folks, I feel betrayed by so many of my countrymen that wear the banner of patriotism while espousing ideas that are so far from why I am proud... Continue Reading →
The world seems to be tilting in the wrong direction these days. There's a lot, too much, to process. What is laying heavy on your heart? Something on this list, or something else? The list is unfortunately not all inclusive. How are you lessening the heaviness? That list is also not all inclusive. Being in... Continue Reading →
In a clearing, in the woods, at the edge of a mountain, sits a little house. The living space stretches to the porch, the patio, the stone walls, and the yard beyond. A sign for a local church on the street marks where to turn, from there, find the gravel lane, its curves concealing the... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year I wrote a piece reflecting on my first semester of seminary and at one point I mentioned about the unexpected “church crisis”. In part the result of the sudden concentration of church history, biblical studies, and theology, a disconnect started emerging for me. The disconnect centers on the tension between the church... Continue Reading →
So, here we are at the end of Lent. We have arrived at the Triduum, the Three Sacred Days, observed by some communities with a worship service which spans well, three days. Worship starts Maundy Thursday with foot washing and Holy Communion, continues on Good Friday with Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and ends Saturday (in... Continue Reading →
I have been mulling this one over for some time, like more than a year. My seminary readings for 3 of my 4 classes have landed on hospitality at some point this semester. Hospitality comes in all sorts of forms and styles, and happens in a variety of places. In the past few years we... Continue Reading →
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