Posts with the tag “authentic-christianity”

Do you remember the COVID days when we all suddenly became experts in things we had never cared about before? Many of us tried gardening only to discover it's much easier to go to the city market. We ...  Read More

 This past week, I had the chance to watch our daughter play soccer, and I found myself smiling more than I expected. Not just because of the goals or the hustle, but because of the team itself. A few...  Read More

Most days after being at church, I begin what I like to call my weekly sanctification test…also known as the drive home through downtown Kansas City.By early evening, things are already hopping. Peopl...  Read More

Every year, as Holy Week approaches, there are a few behind-the-scenes traditions that quietly take place around the church. Prayer guides get printed. Communion elements get ordered. Stations are set...  Read More

Several weeks ago, our oldest son decided he’s done living a “normal” life.He’s on a quest now.Not like “clean your room” quest…but real quests, exploring, discovering, making memories ?.And honestly,...  Read More

Kansas City weather has a sense of humor. The kind where you start wondering if the Lord has assigned a group of angels to rotate random weather settings just to keep us humble.A few days ago, I was o...  Read More

Last Friday night at our house, Leigh-Ann and I finally settled in for the evening with two of the boys. We had popcorn popped, and the recliners leaned back in their fully committed “we are not getti...  Read More

I don’t love running. There, I said it. My lungs usually scream in protest, my legs beg me to stop, and I spend most of the run wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea.But about five minutes...  Read More

Growing up, my family was firmly in the “outdoor pets only” camp. We never had a dog, never had a cat, but for some reason, we had rabbits. Multiple rabbits. And of all the bunnies that cycled in and ...  Read More

Early one morning a few weeks ago, we made our way to the Taj Mahal. I had imagined a quiet, majestic approach. Maybe a gentle sunrise. Maybe soft music in the background. Instead, we climbed into a t...  Read More

I am just returning from India and awaiting my final flight into Kansas City. I am still adjusting from being overstimulated by people everywhere, testimony of Christian persecution, and the traffic p...  Read More

This week’s sermon is going to be a good one. Pastor Dave will be preaching from Luke 1:26–33 about Jesus, our Invincible King. Jesus is more than able to see us through every step of the journey He l...  Read More

I hope your week is going well. While preparing for Sunday, I was reminded of a story in our church’s history that captures the strange and wonderful way faith and doubt fight for space inside our min...  Read More

This past Sunday, right after church, our family loaded up the van and headed for Minnesota to spend Christmas with my parents. Because it had been so warm, I hadn’t thought much at all about the poss...  Read More

This Christmas break, our household took on a project that, depending on who you ask, was either a memorable family bonding experience or a slow descent into puzzle-induced madness.Dallas won a 1,000-...  Read More

 Our staff Christmas lunch this week was another reminder of how much joy God gives His people. Leigh-Ann delivered her famous sliders and soup, comfort food that could probably calm international con...  Read More

This past week, I had the chance to take our oldest son, Dallas, to a soccer tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. The weather was absolutely perfect, and there were a few days when I even hurt a bit from s...  Read More

Several years ago, on our annual men’s float trip, my boys and I, along with a small army of other men and their sons, found ourselves in a situation that felt straight out of a Discovery Channel spec...  Read More

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of good food, good company, and good-natured repentance for that third piece of pie. We enjoyed an amazing meal, ate far more than any doctor would recommend, and sha...  Read More

This past week has been a full one for our family, the kind where you’re grateful for God’s goodness, good coffee, and the fact that seven people can actually fit in a car for a few hours. With Alexa ...  Read More

Some weeks feel like a sitcom… and other weeks feel like a sitcom that forgot to hire writers ?. Our recent adventure with the Health Department definitely lands in that second category.As many of you...  Read More

 Happy Friday! After fixing a car recently, my mind went back to 1986, when I bought my very first car: a 1986 Mazda 323 Sedan. I paid $600 cash, and when I drove it home, it felt like a dream…a wobbl...  Read More

 Last Friday, Leigh-Ann and I hit the road for a wedding in Wisconsin. We had the whole plan figured out, watch Sophia’s soccer game in Warrensburg, stop overnight in Springfield, IL, and make it to P...  Read More

This past Saturday, my three boys and I grabbed a close friend and headed out for a round of golf. We decided to play a scramble on a par-nine course, and honestly, it was a blast!Not because we’re gr...  Read More

It’s been a fun (and slightly humbling) week at our house with my mom in town for a visit!She’s been spending time with the boys, playing Mille Bornes and Skip-Bo (and let’s just say, she’s still got ...  Read More

This past week, I officially moved into my new office with boxes of books, a desk, some chairs, and a few stray cables that I’m pretty sure multiplied overnight. As I was unpacking, I came across a tr...  Read More

Yesterday, a few of us pastors…Jeff, Anthony, Jordan, and I, along with the incredible Derek, had a “super fun” outing: moving our desks into the new offices ?. Sounds simple, right?Of course not.Thes...  Read More

This week, Ian (our youngest son) and I took a quick road trip to Omaha, Nebraska, for some good old-fashioned father-son bonding. We had a blast!We went to talk about what it means to grow into a man...  Read More

This past Saturday, my brother Todd, our middle son Isaiah, and I hit the Swope Park mountain bike trails, eager to conquer a new path. Everything was going great until I hit a steep climb and SNAP!My...  Read More

On Monday, our family did something that challenged each of us. No, we didn’t run sprints in 100-degree heat or try to get by a 300-pound lineman. We did something even more daring in this digital age...  Read More

We just got back from a few refreshing days up north at Lake Amelia in Minnesota with the whole crew, and let me tell you, it was rejuvenating.We fished, skied, tubed, and ate like we were preparing f...  Read More

We just returned from a great week of family vacation at Table Rock Lake near Branson. It was one of those trips where the days felt full, in the best kind of way. We spent our days boating, swimming,...  Read More

For the past few weeks, Leigh-Ann and I, the kids, and many others have been on a secret mission to help set the stage for our oldest daughter Alexa’s engagement. The plan was simple but layered with ...  Read More

Our dog Gratzi is, without a doubt, my favorite family pet so far. She’s well-behaved, loyal, and, best of all, she loves just being with us. Most mornings, the moment she hears the front door open, s...  Read More

When I first met Leigh-Ann, I knew she had a heart for children. What I didn’t realize was that she had been dreaming of running an orphanage since she was a little girl. (I thought she meant, like, i...  Read More

This past week, our youngest son, Ian, participated in his Taekwondo testing. If you've spent more than five minutes around him lately, you’ve likely seen a flying kick whiz past your face or heard th...  Read More

There’s something powerful about a meal shared around the table.Now, I’ll be honest…Leigh-Ann always makes incredible food. Whether it’s a normal weekday dinner or a holiday spread, she somehow nails ...  Read More

 If you’ve ever tried to build something…whether a bookshelf, a budget, or a backyard shed that didn’t quite turn out level, you know that building takes time, effort, and a clear plan.The same is tru...  Read More

This afternoon, I had the privilege of attending a graduation…not for high school, college, or even a seminary. No, this was a graduation for Fatherhood Foundations. A ministry designed to help men un...  Read More

If there’s one thing Pastor Jeff is passionate about (besides Jesus and a good cup of coffee, and the Royals, and books?)…it’s community.He’s the kind of guy who never drinks coffee alone, partly beca...  Read More