The Answer for an Anxious Generation

Recently I read the book “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt. My kids recommended this New York times bestseller book a while ago and once I started it was hard for me to put down. It definitely captures the modern day crisis spurred on by smart phones and social media. Haidt does a masterful job […]

Beauty will save the world

Have you heard the saying, “Beauty will save the world”? It comes from a novel “The Idiot” written by the famous Russian author Dostoevsky. In his novel Prince Myshkin, a Christ figure, goes against the norm of the rich and famous of his day and chooses the path of love.  Myshkin is mocked as an […]

A Spiritual New Year

I have always loved the fall. The heat of summer begins to retreat as crisp mornings and cooler evenings emerge. Trees slowly turn  color and all of a sudden glow like fire. A new school and church season kicks off and of course football games. In the Jewish Calendar it is the beginning of the […]

At A Child’s Pace

I still have a little competitiveness in me so when I hike up Elise’s Peak I push my aging legs in order to work up a sweat and beat or match my last time up the mountain. The only problem with this plan is I miss so much of the beauty which surrounds the rocky […]

Boldness is what I desire

Written by Mike Verkaik As I present this final blog post from our Kingdom Encounter, I am listening to a playlist the group created of the songs that were especially impactful to them during this trip. One song in particular stood out to me as I began to write. The song is Thank God I’m […]

Our Father’s Power To Encourage

Written by Mike Verkaik For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives it’s name.  Ephesians 3:14 There is something about the posture of kneeling that reorients our whole relationship with God, our Abba Father. It says, I am needy. I am reverent. I submit. Kneeling […]