Bitter Root
I have attempted to write a parable for you – a story with a spiritual lesson tucked within. I have been thinking about the hardships and abuses that people endure and how these things continue to sting us long into our lives. We clear away the visible evidence but the root remains. It is only […]
Man Camp: On The Fence?
I get it. I was on the fence about going to Man Camp last year and every year, really. Maybe not even on the fence, it was more of a “that is a great event for others, just not for me.” I had a lot of justifications for why it was not for me, and […]
When My Life Fell Apart
I was the guy who, as I started my day each morning, texted God and told him what my plan for me – not what His plan for me — was for the day. “Hi, God, good morning. How are you? I just wanted to let you know that I will head to (Cleveland) Browns […]
Many Nations
Kensington’s passion to equip churches worldwide and to love our neighbors everywhere are things that are very personal for me. My parents are from Syria and Iraq respectively. I was born in Kuwait. My family is part of the remnant Christian population which has dwindle to less than 3% in the Middle East. Migrating to […]
My Move Out Story: Welcoming Afghan Refugee Families
As we have come to know and love this family from halfway around the world, we have come to realize that God’s love has no barriers other than the ones we create. At Kensington, we talk a lot about loving our neighbors down the street and our neighbors halfway around the world. Sometimes that’s not […]
Say Yes To God
My hands were sweaty, my heart was beating fast, and I kept thinking, Why am I doing this? Why am I stepping this far outside of my comfort zone? I was walking through Kensington’s doors for my first internship meeting. I had just come out of an eight-year season of staying at home with my […]
Sweet Corn
Immediately I felt inferior and intimidated, as I typically process and express things more from the left brain – reasoning, language, logic. But, I went ahead and grabbed the blank sheet of white paper and a few colored pencils and committed to giving it a try. Kensington staff was recently led through some teaching practices […]
Through The Eyes Of An Immigrant’s Son
I grew up in Metro Detroit unaware of many things. If you had asked me if I understood my identity or ethnicity, I would have answered, “yep, pretty much.” As I grew older, I realized how much I didn’t know (and still don’t) – that’s why I love the statement, “Leaders are Learners.” I am […]
Walking Like A Mother
This year Jaxon also said mama for the first time. And I think it’s safe to say I won’t be needing anything else for Mother’s Day this year (or ever)! Two years ago I wrote a blog to Jax, now almost-five-years-old, entitled A Letter To My First Born Son. And as I reflect on the past two years, […]
What Do You Do For Fun?
No, Really, What Do You Do For FUN? When my son was 4 years old, he delighted in people and greeted friends and strangers alike wherever we went. Although he had spoken very few words at two years old – resulting in therapy – this 4-year-old preschooler was a different child. His language skills came […]