2025/08 Ship's Log

Amie and I finished “Catcher in the Rye” last night. I never would have made it through to the end without Amie’s encouragement!

For most of the book I thought, “wow, I guess this is a classic because it’s colloquial? Definitely not because it’s interesting!” I wouldn’t have caught the twist on the last page if Amie hadn’t pointed it out. And just like that, a terrible book becomes a thought-provoking novel. Impressive!

I don’t recommend it per se, but there are some who will enjoy the masterful grasp on the interior dialog of depression.

I have big news. I’m applying for a doctoral program at Denver Seminary!

To be more specific, I’ve applied for a Doctor of Ministry in New Missional Movements.

I have three reasons to go this route.

First, I’ve known for a few years I have the acumen and motivation for doctoral research. I’d read Umberto Eco’s seminal work on the topic, How To Write a Thesis, a few years ago and have been pondering thesis ideas ever since. As a man, a father and a model, I feel it’s imperative to go as far as I am capable with the time and ability given me.

Second, I’ve been a practitioner in the disciple-making movement space for over twelve years. In this time, my commitment to the principles and confidence of its relevance for the Church in the USA has only burned hotter. I want to do my part to push the legitimacy of DMM for our context, and adding my doctoral thesis to the subject of modern movements is a powerful way to do so.

Third, I anticipate that further influence among church leaders requires more evidence of my expertise than my résumé. A doctoral thesis in my subject has the greatest chance to open more doors and minds in my middle years.

Amie and I took a blitz trip to Denver for a Regina Spektor concert. What happened in Denver far exceeds the swift turnaround, however.

We visited Matthew, Michelle, Tommy, Jaq and Hezekiah. We didn’t drive back to our hotel until 0200! Besides abundant laughter and catching up, we also discovered that Matthew and Michelle are facilitating a DBS group and actively starting more. It was a surreal experience to have DBS pitched to us, since we’ve been the advocates for the past 12 years.

The concert was far beyond my hopes. Regina started by reciting Mr. Rogers’ song about liking you just the way you are. She played a wide selection of her work (all of which I’ve memorized by now) and I discovered so much more about her art and perspective by hearing her in person. Amie said it best - her child-like freedom and playfulness is beautiful and so spiritually deep.

The boys stayed home and went camping with Grandma. They had an ecstatic time playing, swimming, eating, and rodeoing,