The Case for Talking to Strangers
I missed my train. Racing into the station, my fare card hovered over the reader as I heard the train roll away. Grumbling, I called…
The Sounds of Advent: Music to Contemplate the Season
Long before the American Christmas season became a thing, the month of December didn’t revolve around Christmas. It was Advent. Like a mini-Lent, Advent is…
Newlyweds? Here’s How We Figured out the Holidays
My first year of marriage was tough. Kristan and I had just graduated from college, gotten married, and moved to a new state, far away…
3 Tips for Better Communication in Your Relationship
The first year of marriage was tough for my wife and me. Before we got married, we talked about everything we thought was important. We…
My Spiritual Choice to Go Vegan
Many people chose to become vegan for a variety of reasons – perhaps for health issues, or to raise awareness about the treatment of animals.…
How to Gracefully Handle a Mistake
Not long ago, I planned a series of classes for my church. The team and I made a schedule, and we found the right teachers.…
What Hosting Weekly Dinner Parties Taught Me About Friendship
Making friends when you’re an adult can be hard. When my wife Kristan and I moved to Chicago, we had no friends in the city.…
How a New Hobby Helped Me Cope With the Pandemic
I collect hobbies like some people gather stuff. Over the years, I have experimented with home brewing, crocheting, writing, and most recently photography. I love…
Can’t Meditate? Try Running
You probably know someone like me. I’m that guy who can’t stop tapping his fingers on the conference table. I’m the one clicking his pen…
6 Things to Watch When You’re Stressed
My life has a lot of drama. In my work as a pastor, I help people through their most difficult moments: family conflict, guilt, sickness,…