Disclaimer
I never intended to write a blog. Never, ever, ever!
Counterpoint
God moves in mysterious ways!
Goal
Follow God’s mysterious path to writing the best blog I can, and encourage wherever possible along the way.
Who Am I?
And what do I love, like, tolerate, dislike and "hate?"
Love – God, God’s Word, God’s grace, and worshiping God
Like – People (We are all God’s people in one way or another)
Tolerate – Increasing persecution against Christians … some subtle and some not
Dislike – How far society has drifted from Bible knowledge and morals
“Hate” – When I don’t act like God’s child
Love – My family
Like – Communication with my family
Tolerate – That my sons are all (or soon will be) taller than me
Dislike – My sons reminding me that they are taller than me
“Hate” – Being so far away from so many family members
Love – Sharing God’s wonderful love and truths with so many so often
Like – Interacting with the people of our congregation and community
Tolerate – Church meetings
Dislike – Counseling (Sometimes it’s so hard to know how to handle things)
“Hate” – Having to confront people I love about things God hates
Love – God’s gorgeous creation
Like – Campfires on a camping trip
Tolerate – Mosquitoes
Dislike – Water leaking into the tent during an overnight rainstorm
“Hate” – Blaring radios in the middle of the forest (And litter too!)
Love – Seeing the “fruits” of my labors in the garden, trees and flower beds
Like – Planning and planting
Tolerate – Necessary pruning and thinning
Dislike – Slugs! They can do so much damage to perfectly good plants
“Hate” – Weeds (esp. those little ones you can hardly see, but which get bigger)
Love – Watching my children compete
Like – Enjoying a Sunday-afternoon game after church (in my recliner!)
Tolerate – That my playing days are probably over (except for Fantasy Football)
Dislike – Rude and obnoxious fans sitting right behind me in a stadium
“Hate” – The Mariners haven’t been in the playoff in a very long time!
Love – Cooking something I really enjoy … and then enjoying it!
Like – Trying something new
Tolerate – Onions (They taste great! I like them but they don’t like me)
Dislike – Paying a lot for a little
“Hate” – That enjoying good food can so radically affect one’s physique
Love – Listening to songs while I work at my desk or read
Like – Live performances by gifted musicians, singers or bands
Tolerate – Certain genres of music (You wanted me to list them, didn’t you?)
Dislike – Songs with inappropriate words or messages
“Hate” – The rudeness of those who “share” their music with all within a 1/4 mile
Love – Unwinding with a good book on a retreat
Like – Stories that pull you in and won’t let you go. And clever prose
Tolerate – “To be continued”
Dislike – Sad stories
“Hate” – Wanting to continue to read but having to be responsible
Love – Viewing a spectacular vista for the first time
Like – Visiting new places and experiencing their culture and climate
Tolerate – Road trips (As long as they’re not too long!)
Dislike – Returning to “real life” again after being about
“Hate” – Having to wait so long until I travel again
A Brief Biography
I was born in Michigan in 1964, and grew up in the lovely rural town of Sebewaing. My youth was spent ramming about outside whenever and however I could. As I grew older, I worked and “played” in God’s great creation whenever I was able.
Eventually and unexpectedly the Lord guided me on to the Seminary. (Quite a story there.) After graduating in 1990, I have served as a pastor for 35 years — mostly in Washington State, but now in Michigan.
I shepherded St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA. for over 30 years. Now it is my privilege to be the pastor of a dual parish in central Michigan — at St. John in Clare and Faith in Harrison.
I am married to a wonderful Christian woman and blessed with 6 children and 4 grandchildren (with another on the way!)
I remain active in outdoor pursuits, and am in awe that we now live on a lake (a long-time dream of my wife and mine). I am able to take relaxing walks with her in our neighborhood, fish in my backyard and hunt deer in my father’s woods.
God is so faithful, loving and good!