It’s not like it is unique, but I live in a fairly extreme tension every day.
I have the most amazing wife and marriage. Just last night we had a date night where we got a babysitter, took a walk by the river, had an amazing dinner at a slightly too expensive restaurant, then went to...
Every December, we hear people talk about Christmas magic, Holiday Joy, and the warm, intangible feeling that makes the season so special. I’ll be honest - I’m here for it. I believe that eggnog literally tastes like Christmas Joy in a cup and I’ve spent the past 15...
Whit was leading a team of 11 college age Bethel students on a 4 day mission trip last weekend. They focused on the primarily hispanic neighborhoods of Sacramento, CA and went out to love and serve the people, then offer invitations to a worship and ministry service led by local pastors...
There a song by Casting Crowns that hits a certain vibration in my spirit every time I hear it:
All my life I’ve longed to be a hero. With my sword raised high running into battle. I was gonna take giants down - be a man you would write about. Deep in my chest...
Okay Jake—focus on Jesus. What do you notice?
Her black sweatsuit is soft. She's leaning slightly forward with a cane in her left hand. She's in her late 60s, and her body clearly reflects years of chronic pain, limiting her mobility. My right hand rests on her left shoulder, and Chad moves...
Here is one of the most box breaking, religious spirit destroying theologies I’ve ever come across: God doesn’t just love you - He LIKES you. I’m saying that when you’ve been ‘too busy’ for Him for months and you finally find the space to say hello,...
There’s a saying in sports coaching that I absolutely love. It’s so deep in my spirit that if I were ever coaching anyone, it would be my go-to philosophy. The saying is this: “Drills make you good at drills." The implication is that if you really want to excel in the game,...
“This is new,” I thought to myself, as Nicko ran over and gave me a huge hug. It caught me off guard. I didn’t even realize he remembered me from our first meeting. But Nicko’s energy was contagious, and the next thing I knew, he was diving right in.
“Bro! I’m...
“How do you know it’s even real?” I’ve asked that question a few times. Let’s be honest, I’m currently asking that exact question about this whole crazy dream-based faith adventure I’m part of right now. The entire thing is built on a dream Chad had. The...
You know it's going to be an epic trip when the rental shop owner stares at you blankly and says, "No one’s ever done that before." That’s exactly how this adventure kicked off when Abi and Tiara explained their noble reason for renting the paddleboards. This wasn’t just any...
Have you ever played "The Stick Game" with a group of friends?
One person holds two sticks and taps them together, sometimes with the right hand on top, sometimes with the left, while chanting: "Stick game, stick game, I can play the stick game. I can play the stick game. How ‘bout you?"
...
When I looked up we were in the middle of Siskiyou Lake floating on paddle boards. I was leaning back on my locked out arms with Whit reclining against my chest - laughing uncontrollably. As the rest of our crew began to open their eyes and sit up, we realized we were completely surrounded...
