Grateful for Three Years (and Counting) of God Providing Manna

Plus, a look in to the next 16 cities I'm traveling to this fall.

As you may know, part of my ministry these past three years has been that of a traveling preacher + workshop presenter + book talk giver.

This phase of ministry, though markedly different from my previous 20 years as a local church pastor, has been an absolute joy and privilege.

I often talk about my personal mission as “Being a Conduit of Love,” and truthfully, I’m not sure I’ve felt that more poignantly than when:

• I’m pulling up the driveway of a home in Beaufort, SC to discuss UnClobber with a church small group who just finished going through it together; or

• When I stand in front of a packed out theater in Cedar Falls, IA suggesting that affirming LGBTQ people just makes sense as a Christian; or

• As I sit on a stool for five hours with a room of 100 Lutherans and Presbyterians who have committed their Saturday to work through the clobber passages; or

• While I’m eating and drinking around a dinner table with the faithful leaders of a small community in San Antonio, TX hearing their stories of how they love people well, and encouraging them to keep going; or

• Sweating in the overflowing library of an historic methodist church in downtown Milwaukee, pouring out my heart to a room full of people who are asking how it is we can still be Christian in today’s world; or

• Being entrusted by the 75+ pastors who have opened their pulpit for me to share with their community because they believe God might have something to say for their people through this feeble heart of mine; or

• Navigating every red eye flight, late night hotel check in, car rental situation, books lost in shipping, funky sound system, and other travel shenanigans…

all of it…

every last second…

has been an utter gift to me and (I hope) for those I’ve encountered.

The other day I wrote an email to a subscriber list I’ve collected over the years and in it I shared my upcoming travel schedule for the rest of 2025. And it kind of blew my mind.

I still vividly remember having regular panic attacks in this very bedroom/office in which I’m writing not six months back, wondering how on earth I was going to keep my life afloat.

Savings drained from moving to Oregon. Stable income lost from a job that dissolved. Outsized alimony and child support payments that were calculated based on an income level I no longer had.

And yet, God.

And yet, Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

And yet, manna.

Manna: Not enough to store. Not enough to last. Not enough to pack away and rest.

But enough for the day.

That has been my 2025 (and before that, 2024, and 2023). Three years of daily trust that God will provide.

How has God provided?

Wow, in so, SO many ways.

Just to name a few:

• The 23 people who have donated to my ministry and help to support my work of Better Beliefs for Better Churches

• The ~100 churches, groups, and organizations who have invited me to come speak, preach, or teach during these past three years

  • 29 Events in 2023

  • 28 Events in 2024

  • 30 Events in 2025

• Every few months—seemingly at juuust the right time—a new client pops up so that I can build them a website (like Josh, Cultivate Inc, Resurrection Church, Laurel, and others)

• The 175 of you who help support this here PerspectiveShift with a paid subscription

• My new publishing deal for Book 3 (which I’m excited to tell you about soon!)

It has all been manna.

Just enough for each month. Just enough to remind me that God knows exactly what I need, and my invitation is to be open and to trust.

Hard. But doable. (most days, anyway… ;)

Anyway, I had begun this newsletter planning to just share with you about the next 16 places I’ll be speaking/preaching/teaching this fall, but it turned in to a larger share about how God has been—and continues to—provide.

And I guess I just wanted to pause and express some gratitude for that.

Thank you, God.

And thank you all the above people who have been part of God’s provision.

I feel so loved.

Okay, on to…

Travel Dates this Fall

I’ve got a delightfully packed schedule this fall!

Even though there’s one stretch (from Sept 26-October 20) where I’ll literally be living out of a suitcase and on the road/plane for four straight weeks, I cannot wait.

Being a conduit of love like this GIVES ME LIFE.

For all the pertinent info (dates, times, locations) head on over to my website.

Finally,

I am Looking to Partner with Church(es) in Eastern, PA and the Twin Cities area

If you are connected to a church in the Eastern, PA area, I’m looking for a church interested in hosting me October 12.

And if you are connected to a church in the Twin Cities area, I’m looking for a church interested in hosting me October 19.

I’ve got a couple leads for those dates, but nothing solid yet. So shoot me an email if you’re in those areas and want to connect!