A Civ Parable
Reflections on different victory conditions in Civilization games and what they reveal about strategy, culture, and human nature.
Full ArticleThe Journal
Written Observations
Explorations into theology, technology, leadership, and culture.
Reflection
I am a servant. (leader)
Confession: Although I have been able to recite to you the correct Sunday school definition of servant-leadership ever since my 7th grade ELCA church youth leader, Amy, drilled it into our heads, I think, to my shame, I am just now coming to understand it. I am coming to understand that, in my soul, I’ve always […]
Reflection
Shepherd-sheep, Teacher-student
As a shepherd of God’s people, my job is to lead people to The Shepherd, Jesus. Because I need Him as much as (maybe more than) everyone. My job in saying “follow me” is not that you would model my good behavior, but my admission that I am in need if Grace, which He freely […]
Reflection
All things to all people, or a few things to a few?
When I think about it, I have heard (and myself used) the verse “I have become all things to all people, that by any means, I might save some.” (1 Cor 9:22b) as cause to hyper-focus on a demographic in ministry. i.e., becoming a “rock-and-roll” church… But isn’t this “becoming some things to some people” […]
Reflection
A God-Given Mind to Work
I was encouraged by this exhortation today: “Nehemiah once had what could be considered impossible task: rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  No sane feasibility committee would have given him the green light.  And yet when the task was operating under the Grace of God, what happened?  Neh. 4:6 says: “So we built the wall. And […]
Reflection
For Better or Worse, Till Death Parts Us, for His Glory and Our Good
This might be TMI, but I’d like to set the stage for this thought, so bear with me. This morning I woke up and rolled over and looked at my wife, who was also just stirring for the morning, and for whatever reason, this morning, she looked especially beautiful. I thought to myself (as I […]
Reflection
Do Not Mistake These For Wisdom
Age (longevity or relative age) Intelligence Charisma Persuasiveness Book smarts Having a blog (even a popular one) Economic success Cynicism Skepticism Silence Zeal Lack of zeal Outward calmness Cautiousness Being well-travelled Random reflection for the morning. Â What else?
Reflection
The Distinctive Way of Life of the Christian
Fascinating comment from Kevin Perotta from his book Leading Christians to Maturity. Chapter 7: “A Distinctive Way of Life” > “Christ, the apostles and the leaders of the early church considered the teaching about the Christian way of life to be the norm for Christians. They viewed the didache not as a distant ideal but […]
Reflection
A Hard Reality Check This Advent Season
Devastating, unfathomable, bewildering, horrifying. That’s the best my mind can do with today’s events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut with an hour’s reflection. This post is one way I’m trying to process it all. Politicians are posturing. Parents are weeping. The self-righteous are cursing. My friends (and myself) are asking things like: “How […]
Reflection
Silent Night, Peaceful Day, A Christmas Story
The following is a recounting of a true story involving my grandfather, Fred Heerema, during World War II. I remember the story originally being told in various forms by my grandmother. This telling is by my father, Jim, and was originally published in the Des Moines Register sometime prior to 2002. (We’re still hunting down […]
Reflection
The App.net Plunge, and Related Social Media Realizations
“So… App.net, it’s like Twitter, only with way less people on it, and you have to pay for it… uh….” Right? Two things happened recently that convinced me to take the App.net plunge. First, they changed their pricing scheme, lowering the bar to entry. I can try it for a month for $5, rather than […]
Reflection
To My Fellow Worship Leaders
Reflecting back on 10 years of ministry, this excerpt from the prologue of The Worship Sourcebook resounds with truth to me:
Reflection
What it Takes to Change the World
This morning during breakfast we read The Declaration of Independence in honor of Independence Day. It is a fascinating read. I don’t remember the last time I read it all the way through carefully. I highly suggest it. The very last line struck me as exactly the right place to stand together, in order to […]