Whether you knew it or not, I just started a six-week sabbatical. It has been several years since I’ve had one while on staff at Feed the Hunger. At the encouragement of the Board of Directors, I fought off the temptation to postpone it again. After a busy summer for the staff that included mission trips and the All-American Packathon, there is a brief “slower” period before an incredibly ministry-filled October through December.

In addition to some time away with the family and another getaway with just my wife, I have some other things planned. I will spend some time alone with God and hopefully deepen our relationship. I’m still honoring my commitment to coach the high school boys’ soccer team at Burlington Christian Academy. I’m also planning to do some genealogical research and break my addiction to sugar and soda.

Last but not least, I’ve just begun a journey to learn Biblical Hebrew. When people ask me why, I jokingly say it’s because I figure I can hear God more if I speak His language. There is some truth to this. So much of the meaning of everything in the Bible is lost because we don’t go back and consult the root languages. I look forward to this journey of increased understanding.

JP 8-24-16 img1Through the prophetic encouragement of one of our overseas partners, I am pressing on with my blog during this window of rest, as apparently God has some things for me to continue sharing through writing. So, I won’t get distracted or deterred by blog readership or controversy over the day’s topic.

Stay tuned to this blog during my sabbatical and beyond, and I’ll let you know what God says. May He speak clearly to my metaphorically thick, but literally bald head!