I realized that it’s been a while since I’ve posted here, so I wanted to give a few quick updates…

I was officially installed as pastor at Center Church in Grove City, PA, on January 8. It’s been a steep learning curve to get comfortable with the rhythms of church ministry, but I’m enjoying it. Since then, between Christmas and Palm Sunday, I’ve been preaching through Isaiah 56–66. I’ve linked to all those sermons at the bottom of this post, if you’re curious.

I had some problems with an infection in my jaw, that have resulted in on-and-off tooth pain since October when we were in Colorado. It was a cycle of debilitating pain for a few days, treatment with antibiotics, and two root canal re-treats. I haven’t had to miss a Sunday, but there was a period in there where I was unable to sleep or work for maybe a day or two each week. Thankfully, I was referred to a very good periodontist about 45 minutes away, who also happens to be a believer–and he’s taken good care of me! I haven’t had any serious issues since late January.

I’ve had some publications trickling through. Most notably, a co-edited volume, Inscribe It in a Book, is now published by Mohr Siebeck. This volume contains my essay, “Regathering Too Many Stones,” which I’ll email you in PDF if you send me a request. This one’s been a long time in production with several snags, but finally reached the conclusion–and Johannes and I are thankful that it’s done!

My second monograph, Storymaking, Textual Development, and Varying Cultic Centralizations, is in the page-proofing stage, and will be in print sometime this summer (also with Mohr Siebeck) once the indexing is complete! I’m a bit nervous to see how this one will land, but also satisfied with how it turned out.

I’ve had a paper on Isaiah accepted for publication, and one more is currently under review. There are a few more collaborative projects in the works that I can’t talk about just yet. I have some abstracts submitted for November conferences in San Antonio–but I plan to attend and celebrate the Mohr Siebeck books with friends, whether I get to present or not.

I’ve enjoyed teaching “Introduction to Biblical Interpretation” as part of the MTh program at Hindustan Bible Institute & College in Chennai, India (remote). I’m impressed by the abilities of these students, most of whom received their MDiv degrees from this seminary and are now looking to become seminary and Bible institute professors themselves. I have another course on Hebrew poetry and an in-person visit planned for later this year.

Along with all this, it’s been a lot of change for our family, up to and including moving into the house in Grove City that we’ve been fixing up for the last four months. It’s a great blessing, but going to take a lot before we feel settled. Pray for us, especially for Corrie to find meaningful work here (she’s been subbing and has some teaching prospects, but nothing definite yet).

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Series on Isaiah 56-66:

• “Isaiah 60:1–14: Nations Shall Come to Your Light.” January 8, 2023 (Epiphany).
• “Haggai 1:1–11 and Zechariah 3:1–5: Give Careful Thought to Your Ways.” January 15, 2013
• “Isaiah 56:1–8: No Dry Trees.” January 22, 2023.
• “Isaiah 56:9–57:13: Blind Watchmen and the Sorceress’s Children.” January 29, 2023.
• “Isaiah 57:14–21: I Have Seen Their Ways, But I Will Heal Them.” February 5, 2023.
• “Isaiah 58: Then You Will Find Your Joy in YHWH.” February 12, 2023.
• “Isaiah 59: His Own Arm Worked Salvation For Him.” February 19, 2023.
• “Isaiah 61: He Has Clothed Me in Robes of Righteousness.” February 26, 2023.
• “Isaiah 60:15–22; 62:1–12: A New Name that the Mouth of YHWH will Bestow.” March 5, 2023.
• “Isaiah 63:7–64:12: No One Strives to Take Hold of You.” March 12, 2023.
• “Isaiah 65–66: I Stretched Out My Hands All Day Long.” March 19, 2023.
• “Isaiah 65–66: Rejoice Forever in What I Create.” March 26, 2023.