Taking our Sacraments out of the Box
In the United Methodist Church we have two sacraments: baptism and holy communion. One of my favorite parts of our baptism ritual is the...
Caught by 11 Nuns and a Snowdrift
Two things to remember. I was tired and anxious. Not a good combination. I had just woken up at the Yankton Sacred Heart hospital. I had...
The Church Showdown in Wagner and Why it Captured my 8-yr-old Heart!
When I was a little guy of about 8, we moved to a town in South Dakota called Wagner. My dad was a United Methodist pastor, and I really...
Relearning the 7-year-old Belly Laugh Prayer: It's a Matter of Life and Death!
I don’t know what I’d do without my Tuesdays! On Tuesday I meet with my staff and tell life stories of last week’s ministries, strategize...
Dad's Last Visit
It was 2 in the morning and Cyndy and I (now with 2 kids) were living in Coppell, Tx...a suburb just north of Dallas. I had just started...
How my Crush on Trevor Noah helped me Understand Pentecost!
This Guy is My Hero! Confession time! I kind of have a man crush on the South African comedian Trevor Noah! Maybe it’s just because he is...
Learning to Survive and Thrive by Renaming Yourself!
Are You a Good Name Caller? Are you a good name caller? I hope so! Let me explain! When I was in 4th grade there was a bully who got a...
Paying Attention to the Nature of "tri-incidences"
THE POWER OF 3 IN GOD'S WORLD One of my favorite worship leaders is Mark Miller. I love not only singing and listening to the...
Sleepless Nights
OK. Be gentle, now! A couple of nights ago I was up in the night and I started working on this poem. As I was gnawing on it, I pondered...
Mom Your Were Spot On! Thank You!
When I was in 2nd grade I had an amazing teacher. One day she heard news that an endangered bird called “the Whooping Crane” was spotted...
Living in the “In-betweenness” of Easter
We are all “in-between”. In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul writes this: “cr eation has been groaning as in the pains of...
Learning to Embrace a Lifelong Pregnancy
I've been reading a great book called "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a beautiful story of a family from India who move to the...
A Dark Green Dryer Ball, an 8-Yr-Old, and a New Easter Tradition?
I’ve always loved baseball. But my relationship with baseball has had some ups and downs in my life. As a little kid I remember yearning...
The Real Reason I Love Palm Sunday
If you know anything about me, you will know this: I absolutely love Palm Sunday. Part of this comes from my adoration for our friend the...
Baptisms, Really Weird Rituals, and Learning to Shout, “No!”
I am so excited! This morning, I got a call and someone from our church wants to be baptized! Isn’t that wonderful?!?! If there’s one...
Learning to Pray/Balance in a different Way
BEFORE YOU READ PLEASE CLICK HERE AND WATCH THIS VIDEO I've been reading Danielle Shroyer's book "Original Blessing" and some things she...
Learning a new spiritual practice during spring training?
Ok, truth be told, I love the Seattle Mariners, but that’s not why Cyndy and I try to go to Peoria, Arizona every 3 years. Actually, I...
SEEING THROUGH THE RIGHT LENS: Don't let Christianity Turn into an Abusive Parent
When I was a young pastor, one of my favorite jobs was being the associate pastor at a large United Methodist church in Mitchell, SD. I...
My Brother Erin, an "Alternative Narrative" I Wish You Knew
My brother, Erin, on a trip to Kenya with family I’ve been a little more than worried about my brother, Erin, lately. Erin is my next...

WELCOME TO "A NEW LOOK FROM BROOK"
Naturally Curious



















