This morning I attended Network of Community Ministries’ annual Convocation of Stakeholders. This was an organization I knew nothing about before last week, when I ran into Tom Purcell outside of my office. Tom’s passion for Network is obvious, so when he invited me to attend the meeting and take a tour of the new…

Mark 1:32-39 Jesus’ ministry spreads 32 That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered near the door. 34 He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they…

A couple of weeks ago I was nearing the end of my office decorating. I remembered how many Zoom calls I had participated in over the previous three years- how the background behind my head communicated so much to the people on the other end of the video call. Put something visually interesting there; think…

Luke 3:21-22 Jesus’ baptism When everyone was being baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” About…

From my family to yours, thank you for the warm welcome on Sunday during worship and the lovely reception afterward. Christy, James, Miles and Linus all transferred their membership to Spring Valley. We’re ready to move forward in ministry here! Sometimes it can be helpful to pause, step back, and reset things. More often than…

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 That day Jesus went out of the house and sat down beside the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he climbed into a boat and sat down. The whole crowd was standing on the shore. He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter…

Greetings from somewhere east of Tucson and west of El Paso. I am returning to Dallas following my epic 29 day baseball road trip- aside from two car rentals, two buses, and one airplane, I did all the traveling on Amtrak. For many years I had the goal of visiting all of the Major League…

  And so the adventure begins: Day 1 of renewal leave.  I am in East Texas waiting for my train to Chicago. Why Amtrak? The slow pace. The scenery. Someone else doing the driving. No stress or hurry at the airport. Podcasts, a book, naps, repeat. On this trip I will see games at 11…