Pops Concert 2025
In the fall of 1977, when I started as a freshman at Biola, my dad told Mr. Lutke that I played clarinet. Mr. Lutke persistently called me until I would give him an audition and a promise to give the band a try. If I had not joined, I would never have met Jim nor…
Passover 2025
This year I had the privilege of learning more about the significance of the Seder meal and the Passover. First Jennifer R., who is a missionary with Jews for Jesus, was giving presentations about it and she practiced with me as her audience. Then, I was invited to Dr. Ron Pierce’s home to enjoy a…
Happy Birthday Mom! #90
Today my mom is 90 years old. 32,850 days. 788,400 hours. 47,304,000 +/- minutes. 1 faithful husband. 4 amazing children + 4 spouses. 10 brilliant grandchildren+ 5 grand-spouses. countless friends. lots of travel. a plethora of pies. many meals. several million stitches sewn. Today is a truly remarkable milestone – Mom’s 90th birthday! It is…
Clayton is 29!
Happy Birthday to you Clayton. We certainly have been through many adventures and changes over the years. I realize that you have now lived longer without your dad than you did with him. That makes me sad! And yet the short window he and I had to steward our kids as parents still informs the…
Connor is 35!
Dear Connor As I sit here reflecting on the years since you both joined our family and formed a new one with Emily, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude to our good God for the wonderful man you are and the joyful privilege it is to call you “son”. Watching you and…
HBD Dianne Brouwer
While many people have left their fingerprints on my life, there are a few people who have actually altered my DNA. Dianne Brouwer, you are one of those people and I am a different person because you have been in my life! From the beginning of our time in Scottsdale, I watched with admiration how…
Happy Birthday to Amanda!
Last year I decided that I wanted to learn 25 things about this one amazing woman who I get to call my daughter-in-love. I don’t feel like I really learned enoughnor with intentionality. Perhaps her 26th year will be even better as far as growing in relationship, friendship and knowledge of her. 25 things I…
One Day
“Write on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” R. W. Emerson What a difference a day makes. It may not seem like a very big deal but today is a new year. A new beginning for some. A fresh start. For me, I usually start my “new year” at…
Sovereign
“God is sovereign. His grace cannot be tamed.” — R. Kent Hughes It is amazing to me that a story so familiar can still startle me with a new insight. It is refreshing in profound ways to consider the original Christmas event from new perspectives. It really shouldn’t surprise me when there are new holiday movies and stories…
Life is not fair
“That’s not Fair!” is not an uncommon phrase in the English language. It is an often repeated sentiment that starts being used from the minute a sibling is born. And it is a feeling that is honed and perfected over a lifetime. And yet, why do we think life should be fair? Why do we…