I had just come home after my own stay at the University of Michigan Hospital. I had been there for seven days. Then, I went to see an elderly friend in comfort care. It struck me before I even sat down, how familiar this room felt. We had laughed, ate lunch, made pictures, and worshiped…Read more Berries, Communion, and Grace
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Grace and Pain brings Opportunities
Psalm 30:2 — “O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.” Last Friday morning, I awoke at 2:15 a.m. in intense pain and overwhelming nausea. I quietly slipped downstairs so I wouldn’t wake my family. For the next several hours, the pain would not ease, nor would the…Read more Grace and Pain brings Opportunities
Promises Define Us!
Promises My promises define who I am. I have made promises to my beautiful wife, Rebekah, to our family, to our church, and to our community. I make those promises because of the promise God has made to us—a promise He has faithfully kept. In Scripture, God calls His promises covenants. To illustrate the power and…Read more Promises Define Us!
The Grace of Being Present: A Pastor’s Reflection of Recovering from Cancer
Sunday morning, I slipped in as quietly as possible. I worshiped with our church family in person for the first time since my second surgery for colon cancer. About an hour before the service, I made the decision to go. Becky had been at church for nearly an hour already. She did not know I…Read more The Grace of Being Present: A Pastor’s Reflection of Recovering from Cancer
A Brief Reflection on Retirement, Love, and Letting Go
I recently “retired” as the pastor of the most loving and wonderful church family. Woodland Church has been our family’s church home for 27 years and will continue to be our church family. This has been a joyful—and emotionally difficult—decision. One of my friends encouraged me to ignore the sadness I am experiencing and not…Read more A Brief Reflection on Retirement, Love, and Letting Go
Turning 70, Trusting God, and Treasuring the Journey: Week 4 A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
My 70th birthday was filled with family, joy, and the deep presence of God. But in the quiet moments before and after the celebration, I wrestled honestly with fear, faith, and the road ahead. One week before surgery, I want to share what’s in my heart—and the peace I’ve found in God's presence. This past…Read more Turning 70, Trusting God, and Treasuring the Journey: Week 4 A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
"I have never met anyone anywhere like Francis Schaeffer, who took God so passionately seriously, people so passionately seriously, and truth so passionately seriously." Os Guiness That quote has touched me so deeply. It resonates within me like a the sounding of a bell. I so want that to be true of my life and…Read more Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
Finished Well!
The picture above is of one my good friends, Randy Stokes, and the best networker I have known. Wednesday evening, before our midweek service at Woodland Church, I called Randy. We talked about his sister's upcoming funeral on Friday of this week, his health, his family, his job, and future. Before we finished our call,…Read more Finished Well!
Reading the Bible this Year
The rewards of reading the Bible in community is growing in our knowledge of God together. Throughout the year, we will discover promises, prophecies, peace, and direction together. Individually we will grow, but we will also grow as brothers, sisters, and friends. Remember that God calls us together into a kingdom. Let me invite you…Read more Reading the Bible this Year
Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Christianity is a joyful faith! Jesus speaks of the gift of fullness of joy! This Sunday was an especially joyful day of celebrating God's love through music, worship, prayer, generosity, Communion, the sermon on joy, and the baptism of eight people. Our church family was blessed as each of those baptized briefly shared a bit…Read more Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Coram Deo 