Life isn’t always what we expect. I’m mostly glad for that! In this first blog post, I’m asking for you to give me a little grace and let me be me, without needing to second-guess everything I say. I can’t have much conversation if I have to second guess my every word. I do that when I’m writing for formal publication. Life isn’t always what we expect, so please let go of any critical spirit or expectation of my perfection. As I said in “two bits about me,” I need to pray for “forgiveness, wisdom, and faithfulness every day.”
Life isn’t always what we expect. I launched God’ Grand Story as a website back in January of 2012. I was eager to blog, get critique—which differs from criticism—and move ahead with my next book. Profound difficulties in my personal life bled off much of my enthusiasm for months and months. It is hard to think and write when you are just surviving. And then the truly unexpected occurred: Our senior pastor took a missionary call to China, and our congregation called me as the new senior pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMC) in Sandy, Utah in October of 2014. I gratefully accepted the call, knowing full well that the website, blog, and book would be neglected and postponed. It is hard to think and write when you are managing a staff caring for hundreds of lovely people. And then Covid hit…
Life isn’t always what we expect. When I retired in August of 2021, I was burned out by the legitimate needs of the many and the incessant criticism of a few. As leaders, we couldn’t do much that everyone agreed with. I retired and stepped away from public ministry. I taught scuba diving to keep my mind busy and active. For two years I have prayed for healing and renewed vision. God is good for this, and I am glad to be back with this project. I believe our need to tell God’s Grand Story well is even more important in this very fractured and needy world.
Life isn’t always what we expect. And so as I relaunch the website, I ask for your prayers for guidance, humility, and Spirit-led wisdom. Thanks for reading.