Today is a commemoration day for St. Gregory the Great, author of the renowned Pastoral Rule or Pastoral Care. I mention Gregory and others as good guides for pastors in: “We Need Good Guides: Finding a new way to pastor in confusing times.”

Friends, if you had to make a list of your top 5 movies of all time, what would they be?

If you want to say why, you’re welcome to add that, too.

I’m in CT Pastors writing about prayer in the three seasons of the sermon: planning, delivering, and relinquishing.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Why did Jesus weep over the city? This is what I explored in a message this past weekend entitled “Tears of Mercy.”

I really enjoyed having a meaningful, thoughtful conversation with Josh Ritter, Canon for Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, about my book The Pastor as Gardener on the diocesan podcast, “We Belong to Each Other.”

“His tears were like the rain, and Lazarus like a grain of wheat, and the tomb like the earth. He gave forth a cry like that of thunder, and death trembled at his voice. Lazarus burst forth like a grain of wheat. He came forth and adored his Lord who had raised him.” – St Ephrem the Syrian, “Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron,” 17.7

What does it mean to listen for God? In the latest episode of “Field Notes for Pastors,” I have the deep joy of welcoming Kelly Erickson, a spiritual director and my ministry and life partner, to help us explore spiritual direction and its vital role in sustaining the pastoral calling.

“His tears were like the rain, and Lazarus like a grain of wheat, and the tomb like the earth. He gave forth a cry like that of thunder, and death trembled at his voice. Lazarus burst forth like a grain of wheat. He came forth and adored his Lord who had raised him.” – Ephrem the Syrian, “Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron,” 17.7

Just finished reading: Behold the Beauty of the Lord by Henri J. M. Nouwen 📚

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 7 March 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

I am working on messages for a preaching series called “The Tears of Jesus,” and I have to honestly say that my sermon prep is bringing me to tears again and again, week after week. I am pretty sure this is a good thing but not quite what I expected.

“To see Christ is to see God and all of humanity. This mystery has evoked in me a burning desire to see the face of Jesus.” - Henri Nouwen in Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons, page 45.

Just finished reading: The Philokalia Vol 5 by G.E.H. Palmer. It feels like a milestone to complete the entire series. So rich and meaningful and stretching. 📚

I wrote about Lent in terms of waiting through the lens of Noah and those with him on the ark in “Lent as Waiting: Journeying Over the Waves with Noah.”

Deep reflections from my friend Asher Imtiaz on attention. Listen to the entire episode here.

In the latest episode of “Field Notes for Pastors,” I speak with Asher Imtiaz about how his journey from Pakistan to the US opened his eyes to the importance of truly seeing others. We discuss how connection is at the heart of ministry in to “To See Is to Stay: Attention as as Love in Ministry“

It seems fitting that today’s Saturday spiritual practice in the Eastbrook Church Lent devotional was “Lament.”

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 28 February 2026 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media at the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

Working on upcoming sermons in our Lenten series “The Tears of Jesus” today. I appreciate your prayers!

Here is “Waiting for the Word” - a prayer-poem I wrote at a retreat with the Northumbria Community in the Fall of 2024 while on sabbatical.

In one month my first book will be yours to read.

Pre-order it wherever and whenever you buy books!

Last night, my wife and I finished reading aloud Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner. I love this book and have read it many times, but it was a special joy to read it aloud. 📚

Happy to have my article “Finding Our Way Back with Christ: Four pathways for preaching in Lent” featured in the latest CT Pastors email. It should be open for all to read, not just subscribers.

In the latest episode of “Field Notes for Pastors,” Daniel Grothe shares the importance of place in ministry and life. We explore agrarian imagery for ministering over the long haul. It was such a joy to host Daniel in this episode: “Rooted: The Power of Place in Ministry.”

These words from Jesus stop me in my tracks every time: “On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt 9:12-13)