Essay

It’s a jungle out there

It's not a particularly good picture, but it'll have to do. That's our house up at the top, maybe fifty yards or so away from the camera and me. What's between us is five years' worth of sweat and toil…
Essay

No Worries

In Canada, I noticed that when I said “thank you” to someone, they most often responded by saying, “No worries.”  I love this. It’s because I’m a fairly worried person, on the whole. I think that when I thank someone,…
Essay

Three Cords Not Easily Broken

Last week, Diet Eman—whose incredible time in World War II as a member of the Dutch Resistance included rescuing Jews, gathering intelligence, and surviving stints in concentration camps and as a fugitive herself—died at age 99. My fellow 12er, Jim…
Essay

Crazy Eights

Anticipation has been growing. The excitement is almost palpable. Yes, it is true. Back despite absolutely no popular demand, for the fourth time, here is my most recent collection of profundities, oddities, trivialities, and observations. This year, eight of them.…
Second Reformed Church, Pella, IA
Essay

Christian Faith and the Depth of Reality

Recently, I invited students to consider what it means to say God speaks through paper and ink. That somehow this book, with different authors and genres is God's word to us. Scripture points us to God's action in Jesus Christ,…
Northwestern College
Essay

Of Cats and Whales and Souls

Bear with me for a moment. I’m going to equate the soul to my cat. Perhaps a little context first. I’m preparing to lead my church’s council retreat on Saturday. I’ll be using the book Know Your Story and Lead…
Essay

How to Improve Your Memory

Have you ever felt forgotten? My dad likes to tell a rather memorable story from when he was a small child. One Easter Sunday, when my dad was 5 or 6 years old, he woke up early, excited. That day,…
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