You can listen to the full unabridged audio here: Mandate of Mishpat - Call to Empathy
In August of 1997, my wife Amy and I flew to Jamaica for our honeymoon. It was one of those perfect, all-inclusive deals where everything is paid for upfront. We spent our days floating in the pool, kayaking in the ocean, and eating incredible food. It was a week of total relaxation—a great way to start a marriage.
An absolutely amazing weekend celebrating Libby’s graduation from Michigan State University. She leaves with life-long friends, amazing memories, and a degree in Public Relations with high honors. We could not be more proud of our Libby girl!
Today begins a full weekend of celebrating Libby and her graduation from Michigan State University in Public Relations. We could not be more proud of her!
For the unabridged audio listen here: Mandate of Mishpat
“Life is interesting. Life is hard. We are born with nothing, we chase everything, and we leave with nothing. So hopefully our soul gains more than our hands.”
That quote showed up in my Instagram feed the morning I was preparing this sermon, and it stopped me cold. It felt like a gift — a one-sentence summary of what Amos 5 is driving at. Because Amos 5 is deeply, urgently concerned with exactly that: that our souls win out over what we chase with our hands.
I am anxious about this Sunday’s message from Amos 5. I really want to do it “justice”.
The vibe here at Black Iron Coffee in Howell, MI is on point.
Finally! 18 holes on a perfect morning!
To listen to the full unabridged audio listen here: Chosen: On Empty Worship and the God Who Loves Too Much to Let Us Stay A reflection on Amos 3–4
There’s something unsettling about hearing God say, “I have something against you.”
That’s exactly where Amos 3 begins. “Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you — against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt” (Amos 3:1). If the Creator God of the universe looks at you and says those words, you should be trembling. And as we continue working our way through Amos, it is going to stay uncomfortable — because Israel and the American Church have so many parallels that we might feel like some of this hits awfully close to home.
But before the accusation lands, something beautiful appears in verse 2: “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth.”
A sweep of the Royals is always fantastic!
FIVE WINS IN A ROW ‼️
Promises kept. Boundaries broken. On Jackie Robinson Day we remember a man whose importance transcended baseball.
For our family, we will never forget a day spent with Jackie’s daughter, Sharon, after Ethan won MLB’s Jackie Robinson essay contest in 4th grade.
A reflection on Revelation 14:1–20
To listen to the unabridged audio subscribe to the podcast: Following the Lamb: Hope, Harvest, and the Gospel in Revelation 14
One of the easiest traps to fall into when reading Revelation is forgetting that we are reading symbols. It happens subtly — we encounter a passage that seems straightforward, one that aligns neatly with our expectations, and we quietly decide that this part must be literal. But Revelation doesn’t give us that option. John is telling us throughout: these are images. These are symbols. A principled reading of the text means we stay consistent, even when a passage seems to confirm what we already believe.
With that in mind, let’s walk through Revelation 14.
The sitting President of the United States posted this picture. He claimed today in public statements that it is him as a doctor supporting the Red Cross. He said only the media could come up with the idea that this was him as Christ.
Mr President, that sir is a lie. It is evident to any and all what this is. You are mocking the risen Christ. To claim otherwise, is nothing more than cheap gaslighting.
My fellow Christians, if his call for the commission of war crimes didn’t sway you. If his call for genocide didn’t sway you. If his dehumanizing behavior and rhetoric over the last decade hasn’t swayed you.
Perhaps, the open mocking of Christ during the season of Easter will move you.
The man is deceitful, unrepentant, and utterly abhorrent. He openly mocks our shared faith.
I am studying and preaching Amos and Revelation right now. There are parallels beyond parallels in both texts that ought to concern the follower of Jesus who aligns themself with one such as this.
An Introduction to Amos A sermon series on the Prophet Amos — Week 1
To listen to the full unabridged audio of this message: Mandate of Mishpat - When God Turns the Mirror Around
Let me be honest with you: the minor prophets get a bad rap.
It’s right there in the name — minor — as if Amos and Hosea and Micah were somehow second-tier voices. But the only reason they’re called minor is because they were concise. They didn’t ramble on like Isaiah or Jeremiah. My seminary professors taught me that to be concise is to be skilled. So maybe we have it backwards. Maybe the minor prophets are the real majors.
And if that’s true, Amos deserves to be at the top of the list.
I begin preaching Amos Sunday! The trepidation is real. This is not going to be a lighthearted or easy series to preach. 😮💨
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