Creation Care is More than A Trendy Green Hue
We've been in the throws of the trendy green movement for several years now. We're learning to care for the environment in our own practical ways such as switch out our light bulbs, carry our own bags to the grocery store, use less water, turn the thermometer down or...
The Difference Taking a Path Versus a Road Makes in Spiritual Growth
Lately I've been reading The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry when I stumbled on the distinction that he makes between a path and a road. He writes: "The difference between a path and a road is not only the obvious one. A path is little...
I Don’t Know Why It’s So Cheap–Great White Shark Update
I just heard from my friend, Andy, this week regarding his great white shark adventure outside of Cape Town, South Africa. I had randomly asked him about his plans for the three days following the Lausanne Gathering. “Anything interesting you’re going to do?” I asked....
Third Place: The Need for Beautiful Creative Christian Communities
While in South Africa, I had the privilege of being part of 3rd Place, a creative community of faith located in Pretoria. You can check it out at @3rd_place on Twitter or visit Third Place online. The church gathering embraces the creatives, the Gospel, the realities...
Adventures from Croatia: Olive Trivia Your Mama (Probably) Didn’t Teach You
“Mama” is the nickname I’ve given to our host’s mother, Angelica,—the 73-year-old who can spin circles around me in the olive grove climbing trees, plucking olives, sawing branches, and popping up above the crest of the highest tree in a moment’s notice. Here are a...
Adventures from Croatia: Supple Hands & Olive Bliss
We've been picking olives for two days, well, a day and a half. Rained out this morning, we traveled back to the fields at noon to pluck the green and purple delicacies. There's no temptation to eat the harvest which is bitter to the taste, but the promise of...
Adventures from Croatia: Olive-Mania
Today was our first day of experiencing the olive harvest in Croatia. We were ready to be picked up at 7:30 am, but our host's father was experiencing heart pain and spent the morning being checked out at the emergency room. He is fine. Our host picked us up at 3:30...
Seeing Like Jesus Does
I stumbled on something while studying the Scripture. The journey began in the book of Genesis where Sarai rejects Hagar after she becomes impregnated by Abram (even though it was what Sarai really wanted--yet another reminder that one of God's most gracious answers...
The Day South Africa Changed My Life
On Saturday, Leif and I toured Soweto, one of the townships outside Johannesburg, South Africa, with our friend Pierre (pastor of Third Place—an amazing church). We admired the vibrant culture marked by creative and colorful artwork as well as the pride exhibited by...
An Unforgettable Day: Seeing The Big Seventeen in Kruger National Park
Today was one of the best days of my life. I don’t say that often for obvious reasons, but today is an exception.We spent the day in Kruger National Park with our delightful hosts Lynette and Gert who on his “hunches” were able to allow us to see the Big Seventeen in...
