Sabbatical Day 12 This morning, Lori and I went on a hike to see some more of the area waterfalls. Then, this afternoon, we grabbed books and a couple of adirondack chairs next to the water and spent a couple of hours reading and staring at the lake. I would read for awhile, and then … More The Currents are Strong
I have a recurring task set up on my computer’s “to-do” program for noon, every Tuesday. At that time, I get a reminder that pops up on my screen that says “Let the Dog Out.” On Tuesdays, before the pandemic, Lori would go all day to the Twin Cities for her work. And because we … More Let the Dog Out
This has been hard. I know this to be true. Since mid-March, we have struggled with COVID, with a deepening racial divide and with a toxic election. And so much has been taken away. Not the lease of which has been our ability to gather together for worship every Sunday morning. A couple of weeks … More It Might Be Time to Build Some New Habits
At their confirmation retreat a couple of weeks ago, our 10th graders had the opportunity to ask faith questions about things they were still wondering about. We discussed as many as we could, but I said that I would try and answer the questions that remained on my blog over the next few weeks. Here … More 10th Grade Faith Questions Part III
Note: This blog post was first published in the “Pastor’s Perspective” column in the Owatonna People’s Press, August 18, 2018 Perhaps this is true for you too: Today, if I step outside and I listen very closely, I can hear it. Even though it’s a couple of miles away, I can hear sounds of the … More Gathering Together…At the Fair
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,[a] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” – Hebrews 12:1 One of our family traditions is that on Memorial Day weekend, at … More Remember…
There is a young girl who comes up with her family when we serve Holy Communion. When I see her coming in my line, I always smile…because I know what is coming. When it is her “turn” in line, she steps up to me with a big smile. Her mom is standing behind her, usually … More You Too
There have been many “holy moments” during the Luther500 Germany trip. Time spent in conversation with friends, good fellowship, worship…all these things come together to create an amazing experience. But the moments that really caught my attention were the moments sitting in these amazing sanctuaries. Some of which were well over 500 years old. The … More Luther500 Germany Trip: Surrounded
The Buegler family has spent a lot of time in the last week watching the Olympics. It’s fun to watch it together and talk about the different events. (Olympic Race Walking? That’s really an event?) I’ve been struck by the incredible attention to detail. The angle at which a swimmer’s hand enters the water can make … More Perfection
It’s the end of the school year, and between our two sons and their involvement in both choir and band, we’ve found ourselves spending quite a bit of time in the high school auditorium. I love these concerts. To sit for an evening and watch and listen to young people share their gifts in an … More Auditoriums and Stories
Test Driving Theology 