Nathan

Pace

When I was a teenager I enjoyed running on the school’s track team. I usually ran in the 200 meter or 400 meter events. That was it. I like my races fast and short. At one track meet our team was down one long distance runner so the coach picked me. “I don’t know whatContinue reading “Pace”

Sunshades in Alhaurín de la Torre

The Final Stretch

It’s Monday afternoon in Spain. On Thursday Kara and I return home after spending three weeks away. The time away has been good. I would have written about it, but I left my computer at home as part of my “disconnecting.” I have resorted to typing this blog post on my phone. And if youContinue reading “The Final Stretch”

Challenge

It took a week but the body has finally recovered from the 13 mile race with the exception of some scabs. In mentioning that Kara and I had participated in this obstacle course race, I receive a variety of responses. Some were impressed, but most had an expression that said, ‘What were you thinking doingContinue reading “Challenge”

Rhythm

People ask me what I will do during my sabbatical. Many ask this either with the notion that a pastoral sabbatical is the same as an academic sabbatical and a professor is expected to use the time to conduct research or write his or her next book. Or, they think sabbatical is a fancy nameContinue reading “Rhythm”

Not Ready, but Too Late

I began my time of rest and renewal (aka sabbatical) today. Quite honestly I’m anxious. This is how I felt the last time I had a sabbatical in 2011. I actually had a panic attack. There was so much to plan and prepare for before leaving on the sabbatical. It can be overwhelming. The lastContinue reading “Not Ready, but Too Late”

Sometimes the Answer is “Other”

Mark 5:1-20 What scared you as a child? Was it the boogey man hiding under the bed or in the closet? Or going up into the dusty, creaky old attic? Or maybe it was the dimly lit, dank-smelling basement? At the age of 8, my family and I lived in a 100 year old houseContinue reading “Sometimes the Answer is “Other””

Dark and Deserted

Early in Jesus’ ministry we find him at Simon’s house healing the sick. Mark states that “the whole city was gathered around the door” (1:33). It appears Jesus was a hit. Regardless of the mission people can be exhausting. Even extroverts need a break every now and then. What does Jesus do? He doesn’t sleepContinue reading “Dark and Deserted”

Made Well to Serve

In the first chapter of Mark, Jesus called his disciples, taught and cast out an unclean spirit. I’ve been arguing that the events Mark recounts in his gospel are compiled to form us as disciples of Christ. They are not a written version of a video of how events transpired. The gospel writer includes theseContinue reading “Made Well to Serve”

Follow

“Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.” – Mark 1:20 (CEB) Before Jesus can teach us what it means to “fish for people” we have to be willing to follow. That requires us to leave behind those things we may hold dear.Continue reading “Follow”