Youth Minster Job DescriptionPrimary qualification: Ability to Breathe. In the beginning, God had no one to tend the ground, but “then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7 NRSV). Breathing activates our ability … Continue reading What’s a Youth Pastor?

In Luke 17:14, there’s a story about Jesus healing ten lepers. Perhaps, like me, you have heard wonderful sermons about the one Samaritan leper who returned to give thanks to Jesus for the healing. The other nine lepers did what Jesus had told them to do…they had gone to show themselves to the priests. Now … Continue reading That One Rogue Leper

I grew up in Alaska, and since I loved animals, I imagined that I might make my living by chasing down caribou herds on the tundra or defending wild wolves from eradication. So fresh out of high school, I pursued a biology degree. As I progressed, however, it became clear that I had more affinity … Continue reading Methuselah: The Judean Date Palm

  (continued from Masada (Part 2)) His offer cut deep. In that moment—yes, that very moment—I realized the amount of manipulation that I had engaged in while trying to satisfy my own pride. The means of exorcising my demon became obvious. Submission to Ronen’s sound judgment (that I should not climb Masada while I was … Continue reading Masada (Part 3)

(continued from Masada (Part 1)) Imagine my relief when our Israeli tour guide, Ronen, suddenly appeared to whisk me away from the punishment. He called to both me and a young lady who had been accidentally abandoned in the bathroom when the group had departed. In our mutual distress, we shared how each of us had … Continue reading Masada (Part 2)

Masada, IsraelOn the fourth day of our trip, I awoke to a toasty fever and blood in my urine, which suggested a bladder infection. It is very disconcerting to tell a stranger about abnormal bathroom experiences; however, a bladder infection did not seem to be one of those issues that should be left to secrecy, … Continue reading Masada (Part 1)