“For every good derives its goodness from God, and in so far as it distances itself from Him—in its will not, in a spatial sense—it becomes evil.” - St. John of Damascus, On the Orthodox Faith, ch. 93.

Just finished reading: On the Orthodox Faith by Saint John of Damascus 📚

“From Idealism to Faith-Filled Realism: Quotations from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Eugene Peterson”

I’m excited to share the cover for my forthcoming book, “The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry,” which will be released in March 2026. It is also available for pre-order here.

This past weekend at Eastbrook Church, I preached on the difference between idealized faith and faith-full realism. My text was a high-level view of 2 Samuel 13-20 as part of our series on the life of David. I worked in a little Eugene Peterson and a little Dietrich Bonhoeffer from Life Together.

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 16 August 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

One of my favorite books of all time, since first reading it as a college student.

“Telling a story theologically (as this story is told) does not mean dressing it up in Sunday best. It is absolutely essential that we acquire a sense of our common God-created, Jesus-saved, and Spirit-blessed selves that is unedited, unabridged, and unblinking. These final episodes in the David story make sure that we get the whole story, not just the so-called ‘inspiring’ parts.” – Eugene H. Peterson in _First and Second Samuel, page 190.

“Broken and Broken” - my message from this past weekend at Eastbrook Church about Nathan’s confrontation of David in 2 Samuel 12. There’s one part of this story, the death of David and Bathsheba’s child, that led me in a unique direction with this message.

What a day! Woke up at 2 AM with flooding in my home basement. At 6 AM went to our church campus where water was filling basements of some buildings. I appreciate prayers for Eastbrook Church as we navigate this, but also the broader Milwaukee community navigating post-rain flooding.

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 9 August 2025 - some articles, a podcast, and a song at the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

Working on messages on the life of David in our current series at Eastbrook Church, “The Pursuit of God,” allows me the chance to dip into the only Bible commentary Eugene Peterson ever wrote, which was on 1 & 2 Samuel. It’s a joy to read his comments along the way.

Just finished reading: Modern Technology and the Human Future by Craig M. Gay 📚

“When the Respected Fall” - a message from Kelly Erickson (my wife) on David and Bathsheba from 2 Samuel 11 as part of our series on the life of David, “The Pursuit of God.”

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 2 August 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

“When Jesus Wept: Seeing God in the Tears of Jesus”

“Invited to the Table” – my message on David and Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9 from this past weekend at Eastbrook Church

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 26 July 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

Listening to it today while working, I still believe Peter Gabriel’s “Passion” is one of the best film soundtracks of all time. What do you think? Any recommendations for best film soundtracks?

Finished reading: Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn’t by Gavin Ortlund. I was pleasantly surprised by this read, which took a different approach to typical apologetics books. 📚

Today I remember my nephew, Lynus Wade Erickson, who passed away 4 years ago and would have been 26 today. He was a gift to all of us, an adventurer, an amazing photographer, and so much more. We continue to hold him in our hearts.

Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 19 July 2025 - a weekly curated selection of news, stories, resources, and media on the intersection of faith and culture for you to explore through your weekend.

Currently reading: Disability Studies and the Hebrew Bible: Figuring Mephibosheth in the David Story by Jeremy Schipper 📚

Working on a message about Mephibosheth as part of a preaching series on the life of David. There is so much that could be spoke about from this story, whether it is accessibility, those with differing abilities, hospitality, honor, and so much more.