This website is a reflection of my ongoing search to discover what it means to live a holy life: to love God, to love others and to learn from Jesus Christ. Whatever such holiness is, it needs to be woven into the fabric of everyday life. It needs to grow and develop. It needs to be imparted by God’s grace. Yet, it needs to be profoundly ordinary. Thus, the title: Commonplace Holiness.

Long ago I was a very lost and alienated young man who found hope in the message of Jesus Christ. And, I've been trying to live and spread that hope ever since. I am glad I first heard the message of Christ among people who preached a Wesleyan Holiness message. It was a frustrating and confusing message to me. But, I struggled for years to make sense of it, and I’m glad I did. I’m glad I found Christ among people who believed that God actually changes lives in a deep and real way. And, this explains my lifelong fascination with the Wesleyan Doctrine of Christian Perfection.

Which fascination may seem quite strange since I am not a strict or legalistic person. While i think of myself as an evangelical, I’m not even all that conservative anymore. I believe that life in the Spirit is freedom, wholeness, compassion, and hope.

I’ve been a United Methodist pastor since 1975. I’ve served several small United Methodist churches in West Michigan. I’ve been active at various times in Emmaus & Chrysalis, in the leadership of the Conference Youth Council, and in Lay Speaker training. In all of this, I have sought to be an advocate for faith and hope and love. Yet, after more than 30 years in pastoral ministry I find myself deeply dissatisfied with myself and with the results of my efforts and with the church. But, then again, life is not over.

My wife Robin and I were married in the Hersey United Methodist Church on September 1, 1979. We have two children. They are grown now, with lives of their own — which is a good thing. Robin & I are still very much in love and enjoy each other's company. So, in that respect, life is good.

There is a lot of information and opinion here — for reflection and discussion. So please look around. (I will be adding things regularly. at least for a while.) You’ll find some articles on various topics related to life, faith and whatever I want to talk about. You’ll find some old Holiness books that I have scanned and made freely available. These include several of the writings of 19th Century Bible scholar & Holiness advocate Daniel Steele. You’ll find an old scholarly study of John Wesley’s theology. You’ll find a commentary on 1, 2 & 3 John. You might find some sermons. You might find some sermon helps. You might find some Bible studies. You might find some interesting links. You might find some hidden, secret links. Who knows? This is an ongoing and growing project.

I’m actually not especially interested in convincing anyone of anything. My hope is that you will find something here that is interesting, challenging, encouraging, or thought-provoking.

Here’s a little more about my intentions for this site:

1.   My Plans for This Site — (January 5, 2008).
   

2.   Site Update — (March 13, 2008).

Flag-counter added April 12, 2008.