The Annual Christmas Tree Toss

This year’s Christmas tree toss has a special guest – my grandson, Shepherd. He gets to toss his own tree! More tree tosses 7th Annual Christmas Tree Toss – (2024) 6th Annual Christmas Tree Toss – (2023) We didn’t have…

Smelly prayer

When we pray earnestly for people’s hearts to turn to God, we know we are praying prayers that God loves to answer.

Best Books I read in 2025 (and perhaps your next favorite is in the list)

Here’s my annual listing of the Top Ten books I read in 2025, with some honorable mentions and a few more page-turning details. I hope you’ve got the spine to continue reading. I’m sure you’re bound up with suspense and your excitement speaks volumes to me. This post is one of a series (see below for past years’ entries). If you’re a reader and enjoy book recommendations, these posts may help you stumble upon your next favorite book!

Here’s my annual listing of the Top Ten books I read in 2025, with some honorable mentions and a few more page-turning details.

Top Posts on “Notes from the Trail” in 2025

Here are 2025's Top 10 posts from "Notes from the Trail" as decided by my blog traffic. I am thankful to my subscribers and hope you'll enjoy a post you missed before. If you're new to the blog, this is a great place to catch up!

Christmas is for those who grieve

The following post is my notes from a sermon I preached last year called “Good Grief, Christmas.” If you’d rather listen/watch it, you can do so here: Last week we looked through the eyes of a senior adult at Jesus.…

How to “slow down” Christmas

This post is an invitation to this year's "Slow Down Christmas Project." Sign up for a subscription and get a daily email that will encourage you to intentionally embrace Christmas in faith and joy.