Christianity

God Sightings

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[This article was orginally published in the Winnebago County Tribune, March 24, 2026. Some content has been expanded since I have more space here.]

I am writing this article while on our 7th and 8th grade Destination D.C. trip. I am using this time as a devotional exercise as I pay close attention to God sightings this week. I hope you enjoy these and glorify God with me.

Day 1 – Saturday/Sunday: Mayah and I had to be at the school by 11:40 PM (Saturday) to prepare for a 12:30 AM (Sunday) departure. We were supposed to leave at 2:30 AM (Sunday) but an impending blizzard warning changed our plans. Many prayers were prayed by many people. We were able to get out of Iowa ahead of the dangerous winter storm and enjoy our itinerary items for the day. Thank You, God, for the safe travels.

Day 2 – Monday: We were at the Gettysburg National Cemetery. While there, our tour guide asked us to look at the tomb stones and find one that speaks to us and then thank them. I walked along the rows but I could not find one, but rather I saw each and every one and thus thanked them all as they all sacrificed for this country. Thank You, God, for those who have and currently serve our country.

Day 3 – Tuesday: This God sighting was nearly literal. I was getting situated on the bus after touring the Lincoln Memorial when Olivia, an 8th grader, showed me a “little Jesus” figurine that hit her in the head. Apparently, someone was throwing them out at the memorial. She thought that was so cool. Tessa, my seat mate, then proceeded to tell me how she likes to hand those out. Later that night, I told Malachi that story before bed and he said, “When I go on my D.C. trip, I am going to throw out little Jesus’”. I wish I had thought of that idea. Maybe I will join him in that activity. Thank You, God, for reminders of Jesus in my life.

Day 4 – Wednesday: So many moving parts today and so many opportunities for something to go wrong to affect our plans: Seventy plus people on their own for three hours in Washington D.C. and then regrouping – on time, heavy traffic littered with accidents slowing our travels, leading all these kids as we walked city streets to get to the White House. But everything went smooth as God blessed our details. Thank You, God, for calming the waters and giving us smooth sailing.

Day 5 – Thursday: Today we toured the Capitol, went to Arlington National Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and then visited the Iwo Jima Memorial. I was reminded today that even though we may have issues in this nation, God has blessed us with a great nation in which to live. Let us work together to be an example for other nations. Thank You, God, for the United States of America.

Day 6 – Friday: Mayah and I had to fly home early. Six minutes before boarding we found out we were being bumped from our flight because they overbooked the plane by eight people. Frustrated, angry, worried, etc, I could not see past my situation. After boarding was complete, apparently someone did not show, so Mayah and I were the first ones allowed back on, but not just on, we got upgraded to first class. God, now You are just showing off. What an awesome God You are.

What a fun week. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Amen.

Who, Not What

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The following is my most recent article for the Winnebago County Tribune. To God be all glory!

When you look at a person, what do you see? Before you answer that, do you see the problem with that first sentence? No? Well, you are not alone, and that right there is the issue. Many, when they see a person, they see a “what” and not a “who”. Meaning, they see a white person or a black person. They see a Republican or a Democrat. They see an American or an “illegal”. And when you see a person as a “what”, a stereotyped category, they become something less than human. And when someone is less than human, then all bets are off. You can justify behavior that you would never allow towards someone you consider a “who”, a person with a face, name, family, and story. A “who”, and not a cute little person from a Dr Suess story, have feelings, hopes, and dreams. They are people you love and for whom you care. But our culture has become conditioned to using categories and thus has become blind to who people really are.


You do not need me to tell you that there is a lot of tension in this country, “what’s” fighting other “what’s”. There are loving “who’s” living in fear because someone has categorized them, or someone they love, as a “what”, and it should not be this way. I am not living in fear for myself, but I am living in fear for others, “who’s” who are nothing more than a faceless “what” to others. We saw this in spades during the civil rights movement, but things are different now, and in some ways, worse. Something has to change.


When God created man and woman, he created special people in His own image. But since the entrance of sin into the world, this beautiful handiwork, you and me, has become marred. We have become power hungry, selfish, and blind, and have lost sight of our awesome God and fellow human being. What is that “something” that has to change? First, it is redemption which has come through faith in Jesus Christ, and thus a restored creation someday. In the meantime, we need to put on some new glasses that see people as a “who” and not a “what”. See faces, stories, families, children, and imperfect people just trusting to make their way in this complicated world. Stop seeing categories that need to be put in their place and see people who need a place in your heart. Let us live as a community of “who’s” who dispel labels and thus do away with all the “what’s”. You are not a “what” with God rather you are a special “who”. Let us live in a godly way and not in a “what” way.

Unsafe

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I took my kiddos to a wildlife park yesterday, just south of Puyallup, WA. They love going and looking at the various animals. The sleeping creature above is a grizzly bear and my son was fascinated with it’s beauty and size. Malachi would point and say, “Dada, dada, [something I didn’t understand]. Dada, dada]. He was excited and wanted to make sure I was seeing what he was seeing.

Of course we would never purposely get this close to a grizzly in the wild, but here we can get up close and personal. It’s safe and comfortable. We can sit back and enjoy the view with no danger of losing our lives. If by some supernatural chance, though, we suddenly found ourselves in this bear’s enclosure, our sense of comfort and safety would be gone in a heart beat. My guess is that we would be quickly moving to find a safe place; hoping not to wake the sleeping beast.

Many try to treat Christianity in much the same way; look at it from a safe distance. Don’t get too up close and personal, for to get too involved is to risk “losing your life”. Many want to be safe and maintain their life so they keep Christianity caged up and show it off to others. When it is not convenient, you lock the “animal” away in it’s cage, but Jesus will not be locked away.

I saw a quote recently by C.S. Lewis that said, “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” There’s a lot of truth to that. Following Jesus means that our old life is crucified with him but we are raised to new life with him. It also means that we are not the same. 

If you’re comfortable in your faith, then something is wrong. We are not of the world and the world hates that and therefore will make things uncomfortable for you. If you’re comfortable in your faith then you are of the world and your religion is locked away behind a “protective barrier”.

The Good News, though, is that discomfort in your faith is a holy discomfort, meant to sanctify you and bring you closer to God through Jesus Christ. To seek comfort in religion is to worship the world. So don’t lock away your faith but rather jump into the wild enclosure with Jesus and embrace the “unsafe” discomfort. Do not allow the world to sell you a comfortable bill of goods. Embrace the discomfort and draw closer to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Pastor -|—