It was upon learning of his actions.

For the past month I have been reading his biography by Eric Metaxas entitled, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. It’s a monster, almost 600 pages, but absolutely brilliant. While the story follows the life of one man, it is a fascinating historical piece set against the backdrop of my favorite time period to study, World War II and Hitler’s rise to power. For those of you unfamiliar with the man, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor during World War II who boldly stood up against the Nazi party and their blaspheming of the German church. While many Christian pastors stood idly by and watched Hitler and the Nazis kick Jews out of churches, society, and ultimately sent to death camps, Bonhoeffer fought the injustice in every capacity he could. He became involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler; in which he was caught and imprisoned for three years and eventually hanged in a concentration camp at only age 39.

Bonhoeffer was a compassionate pastor, a fiery preacher, a lover of art, music and film, a brilliant thinker/writer, and an assassin. Yeah, he’s my kind of guy.

One part of the biography describes Bonhoeffer on the day before he was sent to his death. His jailer, who was not a man of faith, described seeing the German theologian on his knees praying to God. The jailer said in his 30 years at his post, he had never seen a man walk so confidently and peacefully to his death, so sure God would not abandon him.

You can understand why he is my new hero.

I aspire to have the faith, joy, and boldness in which Bonhoeffer walked. He did not just help shape German church culture, or give Christians a good example, but he realigned history as we know it. He stood up against injustice and fought with all his spiritual might the battle, which God prepared him for. If only I can walk with the same vigor and strength in my faith as the once great theologian, pastor, and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer had.

I highly recommend this book to all. While it takes ages to read (I am only on page 330), it’s remarkably captivating and inspiring.
I promise, you will gain a new hero, too. (71)

that our trouble’s never over
and work our work is never done
but with the turning of the season
we will always see the sun

Noah Gundersen | Honest Songs

Yes, Noah, that is exactly how I feel right now. Thank you for you honest songs.

(57)

It’s kinda how I feel right now. It’s a combination of weather, job stuff, moving, waiting, waiting, waiting. I have big summer plans: climbing, fishing, riding, GoProing, hiking, creating, mountains. And every time I feel like that life is about to start, it snows another 8 inches or so. It’s been sort of depressing.

But at the same time, life is really good right now. I get to coach lacrosse, hang out with students, speak Truth each week to a group, and grow closer with a wonderful community of friends. And in all my complaining, I secretly love the snowy days. They allow me to drink an entire french press, read for an hour or so, listen to Sufjan, and remind myself that with Seminary looming in the fall, this is the exact kind of rest and peace God has ordained for my heart at this time.

I need to constantly be reminded, even with many exciting plans so soon in the future:

stay in the present
live in the now

(71)

(106)

Although the tomb is empty, we don’t want our children’s easter eggs to be…

(149)