2018

On September 1, 2017, I started a three-month sabbatical from the church I serve.  It was a pretty amazing time.

I got to spend time with my kids, traveling with my oldest to visit colleges, with my younger son to play some hockey, and long peaceful days at the barn with my daughter.

I started to build an acoustic guitar, a project that has literally been in a box for 19 years.  Photos will be posted once it is complete.

Last June, I became certified as  personal trainer. During my sabbatical I spent some time at the gym, understanding movement and motivation. If we as a church really care about people, we need to think about how we care for the whole person.  (More on this later.)

One thing I thought I would do is write.  I thought I would be on here a couple times a week, sharing thoughts about what is going on in the world.

But here’s what happened.  I didn’t write, and it was nice.

I speak for a living, and I love it. However, Sunday comes every week and the weight of trying to find hope and interpret events of the world can get heavy.  (That’s why the sabbatical is such a gift.)  I thought that being relieved of the responsibility of speaking each week would compel me to write more.  However, what I found was that not saying/writing anything was a real gift.  A time to take a breath.  A time to look at the world with fresh eyes.

I am grateful for that time.  I am grateful to be back.

And I look forward to spending more time here.

Happy New Year!

Peace.