The Pastoral Grind

Nicodemus and Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Let me begin with an apology to those of you who may be wondering why I've been silent recently.  The last few weeks of the semester have been filled with final assignments, readings, and I haven't had a chance to get back to the Grind. The semester's done and a couple weeks to catch my breath are ahead, let's get back at it! reBirth... For those of us who have spent our whole lives in the Church, the idea of being born again doesn't really phase us.  It brings thoughts of new life, conversion, and the amazing grace of God.  I can't say that I truly remember a particular day in my life which I would point to and say that's when I "got saved" as  some Christians can, but I do believe I have been "rebirthed."  Yesterday morning I heard a sermon from John 3:1-15 where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus.  In this conversation Jesus tells the sneaky Pharisee, "No one may see the k

COUSINS (Photo credit: Zellaby ) Homebodies ... When most of us think about the Christmas season, "home" comes to mind.  The radio plays Bing Crosby's I'll Be Home for Christmas  or one of its dozens of covers, family television channels play sappy movies where the main characters make it home just in time to celebrate with their families, and millions of people hit the road or take to the air to see loved ones.  Ideally, home is a place where we gather with friends and family, have the opportunity to mend or rekindle stretched relationships, and give thanks for the blessings God has given us.  While I love this home, many of us also have a "home" in the local congregation that we are a part of. As a seminary student, I have interned with a local congregation in Holland over the past 15 months.  That's a shock to my life, because it's the longest time I've spent in any single place since high school (I was a bit of nomad moving bet