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In 2008, I wrote a couple posts on task management (see Task Management and Task Management 2.0). My previous posts focused on specific systems, but even after checking out different systems, I keep coming back to my own. I’ll keep looking, for ideas, if nothing else, but here I want to focus on “time management.” … Read more
Today, clergy and lay members from more than 950 churches throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania gathered in Williamsport at the Williamsport Arts Center to form a new conference, the Susquehanna Conference, a Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church. It was the culmination of years of prayer, discernment, and planning. Joleen and I left home … Read more
We spent 8 full days in Korea in February 2008 when we picked up Ethan and 4 full days in October 2009 when we picked up Sarah. We wrote a number of posts while we were there both times, which has helped us remember more than we would have remembered otherwise. It was an especially … Read more
During the first couple of years after responding to God’s call to ministry as a 19-year-old kid, my favorite reading was journals and memoirs of great preachers from the past, people God has used to lead times of spiritual awakening. After arriving at Centre Grove UMC in July 2008, I spent a little time in … Read more
Ethan is three years old today. We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with his babysitters and Sunday morning caregivers at our place. Ethan enjoyed spending time with everyone, and he certainly enjoyed all the attention!
I say “surviving” rather than “survived” because, technically, we’re between sessions of Annual Conference this year. Last weekend, the Central Pennsylvania Conference held its 222nd and final session. This coming Saturday will be the first Annual Conference of the new Susquehanna Conference (with a special session to be held later in September). Ethan was with … Read more
This afternoon, we traveled to Messiah College where the Central Pennsylvania Conference is meeting for its 222nd and final annual conference! We will meet again next Saturday (6/12) to unite with the Pennsylvania churches from the Wyoming Conference (northeastern PA) to form the Susquehanna Conference. Exciting times. This is Sarah’s first time here. It’s amazing … Read more
Two months ago, I started an experiment (see Desperate Preachers 1.0) writing down what I prayed in the hours before preaching on Sunday morning. It’s been a valuable experience. I was surprised how much I wrote the first week and how well it came together. The other thing I noticed is how much I revised … Read more
Spent the afternoon today at Grammy and Pappy’s in Williamsburg, PA. Good holiday, but naps were scarce. Sarah had a short nap at Grammy and Pappy’s, but Ethan delayed his nap until the trip home; Sarah got a short nap on the way home, too. The kids must be tired — so far, they’re sleeping … Read more
One of the main reasons I went all out in the Health Flex HealthMiles Challenge was simply to see what I could do and to put myself to the (physical and mental) test. Going all out every day required me to push through some challenges along the way, including … Getting up 29 mornings between … Read more