I like to eat. I enjoy eating out. I've brought these two things together in a manner that can be shared with the world by writing Google restaurant reviews. In recent years I've written 80 reviews that include 444 pictures. And those pictures have now been view just over 11 million times (up from just over 4 million a year ago and just over 1 million two years ago). Leading up to Thanksgiving in 2022 I shared my then Top 10 Plates (based on total views). This time last year, I shared an Read More …
You Belong: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (#2170)
Today I wrapped up a six week sermon series inspired by Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024). Today, we focused on belonging. Sermon My message, “Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity” was based on John 14:1-14. Belonging You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt In fact, this morning’s modern reading was an excerpt from the book’s introduction. A Faith of Many Rooms begins with Read More …
Goodbye Twitter, X, or Whatever You’ve Become (#2169)
Yesterday I deleted my account on the platform formerly known as Twitter and now renamed X. After investing thousands of hours on the platform over the last 15 years, it became clear that it was time to part ways. Memories I've reflected on my experience at several points along the 15 year journey, including: So What? Social media has changed a great deal over the last fifteen years. Importantly, the platform formerly known as Twitter has changed dramatically only over the last Read More …
Giving Thanks – Top 10 Experiences in 2024 (#2168)
Welcome to the month of giving thanks, a month that includes the Thanksgiving holiday. In recent years (2023, 2022 2021), I've taken time in early November to reflect on all of the life experiences I had since the prior November. Below you'll find my Top 10 Experiences from the past year along with links to any relevant blog posts here on So What Faith. I invite you to consider crafting your own list and sharing it with someone dear to you. Read More …
Wrestling with God (#2167)
This morning, just days after the elections in the United States, I preached the fifth message in a series inspired by Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024). Today, we focused on wrestling. Sermon My message, “Wrestling with God” was based on Genesis 32:22-31. Wrestling You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript (while I was informed by the manuscript I ended up preaching without referencing any Read More …
My First Year as an Ordained UCC Minister (#2166)
One year ago today I was ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ and installed as the CEO of White Rock Center of Hope through a four way covenant (for more on that experience from my experiences as a Member in Discernment to the ordination service see My Ordination and Installation). On the occasion of the first anniversary of my ordination, I decided to reflect on some of what this first year included. White Rock Center of Hope I serve as CEO of White Read More …
Beyond Simple Answers (#2165)
This morning, on All Saints' Sunday, I preached the fourth message in a series based on Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024). Today, we focused on paradox. Sermon My message, “Beyond Simple Answers” was based on Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, and John 11:32-44. Story You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt Presbyterian Pastor Richard Hansen captured how widespread paradox really is Read More …
Great New Books for November 2024 (#2164)
The best new books I've read in the last 30 days are When God Became White Grace Ji-Sun Kim is the author of 24 books, including Hope in Disarray: Piecing Our Lives Together in Faith by Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Pilgrim Press, 2020), which received a rating of 4.5 here at So What Faith. Additionally, she is the co-author of Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World (IVP, 2018), which also received a rating of 4.5. As a well-educated, Read More …
Living the Stories (#2163)
This morning, on Reformation Sunday, I preached the third message in a series based on Debie Thomas’ new book A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity (Broadleaf, 2024).Today, we focused on story. Sermon My message, “Living the Story” was based on Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36. Story You can watch the sermon below or read the manuscript. Excerpt I know many of you came to church this morning expecting me to say something Read More …
Turning Your Vehicle Into a Religious Billboard (#2162)
It happened to me again last week. I found myself behind a vehicle with a religious message I couldn't help but notice. For whatever reason, the driver chose to pull over not long after I'd determined to snap a picture of the message, which reads, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." You don't need to be a religion scholar to figure out that this is a quote from the New Testament. A quick Google search would show any curious Read More …