HAZARDOUS WASTE

It started way back in the early 1900’s, deep down where no one could see it. A complex network of sewer pipe was installed beneath my house with the sole purpose of keeping things concealed. Disgusting things. Things we all try to keep hidden (you know what I mean). And for the first one hundred … Read more

THE BOY I’D NEVER MET

In the days before anybody kept tabs on social distances, my wife and I crammed our family into a gymnasium with several hundred strangers just for fun. It was a Saturday, and volunteers from the University were hosting a “track meet” of sorts for children of all ages. Our kids like to run, we like … Read more

WELCOME TO THE COLONY

I called Menards this morning to see if they had a facemask policy yet. My kids, being under the age of 16, have already been barred from entering the place, and I needed to know if restrictions had gotten any tighter (I wasn’t interested in a shoving match with the bouncer, I just wanted to … Read more

Makeover

If uncertainty were a virus, more people would test positive for that one than for COVID-19. Men & women all over the world are dying to know what the future holds, why we’re in this mess, and what to do to make it stop. With information changing by the hour, even Christians are left to … Read more

The Comforter

One of the distinct features of the Holy Spirit is the consolation He brings to His own people. Specifically referred to as our “Comforter”, the Spirit of Christ reserves some of His greatest work for those who grieve. And we praise Him for that. Nobody has a big problem being comforted. The real challenge on … Read more

HUMDRUM & HOLLOW

It’s no secret that Christians are supposed to be “missional”. We read about it and talk about it and think about it. But many Christians aren’t personally convinced that they’re being it…and perhaps you are one of them. You’re not sure how to do it, or what it really means. You’d really like to be … Read more

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BLUFF

A HISTORIC TRAGEDY I grew up in a place called “Maiden Rock”. It’s one of many riverside communities that wind their way through our country, along the edge of an iconic waterway. A small township on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River, Maiden Rock occupies a total of 1.18 square miles of beautiful Upper-Midwest … Read more

WALKING BACKWARDS

In July, 1986, George Holtyzer of Belgium, walked 418 miles in about 6 ½ days…backwards! Have you ever tried to walk backwards? It’s hard. It’s so hard that most people give up before they’ve gone very far at all. Even George. As impressive as his effort might’ve been, he quit in less than a week, … Read more

Meet the Rosaceae Family

I have dwarves on my lawn. Three of them, and they’re all from the same family. One of them was born in Wright County, MN, while the other two (believe it or not) are grandchildren of the Duchess of Oldenburg. They came up on a truck from Missouri shortly after we moved in 10 years … Read more

Ageless Encouragement & Cracker Jacks

A Letter From The 1st Century… Two months ago, a letter came in the mail. It was an eye-catching parcel addressed to the church, and from all outward appearances, it looked like it had been sent by someone we knew, personally. Indeed, it was mailed to us by the children in Menomonie’s “Foundations Room” program. … Read more