Where to begin with my review of Eric Metaxas’ “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy?” How can 500 words or so really do justice to a 600-page analysis of the life of a Christian pastor who stood against Hitler and tried to guard his beloved Lutheran church from Nazi infiltration?

Usually I post here on Thursdays about music I’m listening to, whether a mini review of a CD or some playlists Pandora or Rhapsody picked out for me. I thought today I’d share what podcasts I like to listen to, considering I split my drive time and gym time between music and podcasts.

I’m not sure if this has ever happened to you, when it feels like something you read in Scripture punches you in the gut. In the quiet of the morning with but a single lamp on in the house, my freshly brewed coffee on a little tray I set next to me on the couch, and my Bible open to the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, a little phrase — two short words — jump off the thin page and smack me a few times, knocking the wind out of me, nearly spilling my coffee.

What a day on Sunday! Four worship services, starting with the early service and ending with our youth worship gathering. Darah led our contemporary service wonderfully, including a song I’ve liked singing but may like her doing better, “The Stand.” Included in the band were two of her brothers. I [...]

I’ve taken to carrying what I call a man bag. Like Seinfeld’s “European carry-all,” I carry just about anything I need in it. Sounds like a purse? Well, you’d be mistaken, my friend. This is no purse. It’s simply a downsized version of the computer backpack I used to lug around.

It took me a little longer than usual to get into John Grisham’s latest, “The Litigators,” but when I finally did, I sped through it like I do most of his novels.

Headed to the office on a beautiful winter morning. Here’s what Pandora selected for me from my Matt Nathanson Station, nice guitar-driven soft rock.

I think in school I just liked the rules, the 2+2 always equals 4. My favorite subject, English, also contained rules: grammar rules. I don’t remember all the names of the parts of speech, but I know how to use them and when I can break them. The same is true in music.

Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” last year and Billy Joel’s “A Matter of Trust” this past week. All I need is to somehow include an Elton John song in a future service.

I may have mentioned before that I love playing Words With Friends. I’ve always liked Scrabble. I remember once when Cindy and I were playing with my twin sister and Cindy’s two sisters — I think they were both there. My mother may have also been playing with us too. Team play. I just remember Becky (my sister) getting frustrated and tossing the board, tiles flying every which way. Good times.