Finished reading: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson 📚
Another fun tale in the Cosmere. I really appreciate Sanderson’s handling of religion.
My next non-fiction read will be Will of the Many by Islington.
A very helpful episode that lends insight and understanding to the events playing out in Minnesota and Iran. I highly recommend this podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
“Dan, why aren’t you posting on Facebook about the current political issues? You have a responsibility to do so!”
As I watch other pastors post about these issues the “discussion” in the comment section is horrific. The conversations are too often not in good faith and attract the worst kinds of engagement. The rage baiting, the sea-lioning, the talking past one another, the trolling, the name calling, just to name a small bit of the issues that arise.
Ultimately, what I have seen that the online comment sections are unhelpful at best and too often create even more animosity.
Would you like to discuss the issues? Send me a private message, text, or email and we can set up a time to discuss, in person.
You don’t live locally to me? Then, perhaps we can set up a video chat or better yet, I would encourage you to connect with your own pastor in your own town.
I am realizing that my primary responsibility is to walk alongside those folks that God has particularly called me to serve. Those people being folks living along the US 23 corridor from Ypsilanti up to Flint.
When little bro flies in on the same plane you’re about to leave on…
God's Kingdom Come - God's Kingdom Reorders Our Lives
You can listen to the unabridged message here: God’s Kingdom Reorders Our Lives
Matthew chapter 5 opens what we often call the Sermon on the Mount. If you’ve ever read this section in a red-letter Bible, you know the feeling: suddenly the page looks packed, your eyes start swimming, and it can feel a little overwhelming.
This morning we’re focusing our attention on the opening 11 verses—the Beatitudes—as we continue our Epiphany series, God’s Kingdom Come. Each week we pray the Lord’s Prayer, asking:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
During this season we’re wrestling with a simple but challenging question: What are we actually praying for when we pray for God’s kingdom to come?
I recommend this podcast episode to you for a thoughtful reflection on the first year of the Trump presidency.
The Tigers hosted their faith night tonight at the Priority Club at Comerica Park. It was really interesting hearing stories from Lance Parrish and Frank Tanana.
After being in the Priority Club, I can see why the seats behind home plate are always empty. The space is ridiculously cool.
0.2 - Brittle Faith to Enduring Faith
What if the cracking of your faith isn’t a failure—but an invitation?
Many of us were given a version of faith that worked right up until life applied pressure. Built on certainty, rules, and platitudes, it held together for a while. But grief, doubt, disappointment, and silence from God have a way of exposing how brittle that kind of faith really is.
In this episode of The Pastor Next Door, we explore the difference between brittle faith and enduring faith—and why the breaking apart of faith may actually be the beginning of something deeper and more honest.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why faith rooted in agreement collapses under real life
- How control masquerades as spirituality—and why relationship matters more
- Why doubt and lament are not threats to faith, but signs of it
- What it means to trust God without certainty
- How Scripture (especially the Psalms) gives us permission to speak honestly
- Why faith is not something we perform for God, but practice with God
Drawing from Scripture, personal story, and the words of a desperate father who prayed, “I believe; help my unbelief,” this episode makes space for wrestling, grief, and unfinished faith—without shame.
If your faith feels fragile right now, you’re not behind.
You might actually be paying attention.
This episode also sets the stage for what’s coming next on the podcast:
- Season 1: Personal spiritual fitness — slow, ordinary practices rooted in grace
- Season 2: Faith deconstruction and reconstruction
- Season 3: Community, connection, and belonging
- Season 4: Leadership without burnout
No quick fixes.
No pressure to arrive.
Just an honest, grace-filled space to keep going.
Take your time.
Grace and peace, friends.
May you love well.
Ugh. I just recorded a new episode and the recording somehow stopped half way in.
I get to re-record 😂
I just picked up two pounds of fresh ground Portland in the 90s from Roos Roast in Ann Arbor, the house smells amazing!
I’m excited to brew a pot tomorrow morning.
Revelation 2 - The First Three Churches
For the full unabridged audio check it out here: Revelation 2 - The First Three Churches
In this session of Beyond Sunday School, we turn our attention to Revelation chapters 2 and 3 and begin working our way through the letters to the seven churches. We won’t get through all seven at once, but we’ll start with the first three: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.
Before looking at each church individually, there are a couple of important reminders that shape how we read these chapters.
I love the reality that receiving the kingdom is rooted totally and unequivocally in grace through the unconditional love of God.
God’s Kingdom Come - Receiving the Kingdom
Grace doesn’t come to those who strive harder—it comes to those who let go. In this message, we explore how God’s Kingdom is received, not achieved. Listen and rest in grace.
God's Kingdom Come - The Kingdom Received
If you would like to listen to the whole unabridged version it is available here: The Kingdom Received
It was the middle of July in 2001. A couple of weeks earlier, Amy and I had been sitting in her doctor’s office for a routine appointment—ultrasound, measurements, all the usual things. At the end of the visit, the doctor looked at us and said, “I think it’s time for this baby to be born.” The baby was getting a little too big and needed to make an appearance.
This was our first child. We didn’t know the gender—we were doing the surprise thing—and suddenly we were nervous. But the doctor reassured us: “Don’t worry. We’ll schedule a time. You come in on this day, at this time, and we’ll get things started.”
Post by @livelakemichigan@mastodon.social
Current* conditions near Empire, MI:
Lake Michigan just hits different. I may dislike winter with my whole being but a wintry Lake Michigan is stunning!