Categories
family fun life

John and Anne Present: 2020 Scout Popcorn

We love Scouting! The Conard Family We had a blast at Falley Scout Reservation during Cub Scout summer camp in 2020. John and Anne are working to earn their way to camp next summer with popcorn sales. Will you support our scouting adventures? Use these links to place an order and get popcorn shipped directly […]

Categories
changing lives fun life

1,002 Activities

With a 4.5 mile run today, I recorded 1,0002 activities with the RunKeeper app. I have had on and off seasons of running over the years. Here’s a snapshot of my mileage each month. One of the gaps in 2018 was when I switched to using MapMyRun for a bit. Now, I am day 260 […]

Categories
leadership life ministry

From the Balcony

This view feels long ago and far away. I haven’t stayed in a hotel, much less one big enough to have an atrium, since I can’t remember when. Travel is only one of the aspects of life that is much different these days. This view feels long ago and far away. I haven’t stayed in […]

Categories
family fun life

Children’s Garden

One of my favorite spaces in Kansas is Botanica. It is a beautiful community garden in downtown Wichita. I took this picture years ago on the way out of the Downing Children’s Garden. This garden’s design is for children with whimsical statues, musical instruments, and surprises around each corner on the path. When we lived […]

Categories
changing lives faith life ministry

The Space Between

The space between these buildings fills with morning light. From this view, you have no idea what is on the other side of either wall—a building on one side and one on another. There’s not much space to explore, but there is light. This season of the global pandemic feels a bit like this space. […]

Categories
grow life

Lone Tree

Sometimes I find myself in awe the strength, size, and grandeur of lone trees. Not with this one. I don’t know whether it was planted here on purpose or whether a stray seed found its way to this location. Maybe it just needs some more time to grow. Or maybe my perspective needs to change. […]

Categories
church life

Log Pile

Did the tree fall on its own, or was it cut purposefully? Will these logs get split for firewood or taken to the dump? Is this pile of wood useless or useful? A picture doesn’t tell the past, necessarily, nor does it always suggest a possible future. There are a variety of ways to arrive […]

Categories
leadership life ministry

Two Tracks

Two tracks. Both are going in the same direction. One filled with cargo and a train on the move. The other empty and waiting. Waiting for what? Another train to come along? Could you send two trains along these tracks at the same time? Do they converge somewhere ahead? Do they split and go in […]

Categories
communications developing leaders fun life ministry

The Power of “Good Job”

One of the jewels of the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation system is the Lake Shawnee Trail. Nearly every time I go for a run, I use it in some way. At times, a short loop around Tinman Circle and others around the entire lake with an extension down Berryton Road to reach my target […]

Categories
family fun life

1​ Second Everyday for March 2019

Here it is! 1 Second Everyday for March 2019. Enjoy!

Categories
annual conference church family life ministry

A Season of Transition

It is a season of transition. I have had the opportunity to serve as the preacher at Berryton United Methodist Church since July 1, 2018. On Sunday, I announced during worship that I have received a new appointment from Bishop Ruben Saenz to serve as the pastor at Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church in Topeka […]

Categories
life ministry worship

Writing a Prayer of Confession

It is not often that I confess in writing. Most often, I confess verbally. There is something different about putting your sins down on paper. Seeing the words on the page makes them more tangible and seem more ugly. The sheet of paper is filled up with things of which I am not proud in […]