Not long ago I was talking to my Occupational Therapist and told her that I had just learned that my tumor appears to have not grown and seems to be dormant. I also told her that I felt that my reaction to the news was strange. Upon hearing this news I was thankful, but told … More Tumor Anxiety
On the last day of September, which also would have been my father’s 85th birthday, I returned to my Alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College to attend a Board meeting. When I rolled into the room I felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle. I realized that it had been a year and a half since … More A Great Day
On one of his regularly scheduled visits, the man who has increasingly become my Spiritual Director, Physical and Occupational therapist also known as my Personal Care Attendant from the Mount Olivet Home was talking to me about one of his favorite subjects – GOD! At the time, I had just been discharged from the hospital. … More An Unseen Hand
Don’t panic! I am O.K. Nothing has changed. I am recovering nicely and am sending out a mid-week devotion because I am developing a backlog of pieces that may never get read. So, for at least a couple of weeks, I will be sending out a mid-week piece. I am not a guy who collects much. … More What Have I Learned?
Last spring Pastor Michael Carlson, my longtime friend, colleague, partner in ministry, and successor to my role as Lead Pastor of St. Andrew’s in Mahtomedi asked me to come back and preach. When Pastor Carlson asked me to preach, I wanted to come but I was in a quandry. Last winter I had reasoned that … More Are You All In?
A popular ad for a weight loss company begins with a person saying “I’m Sarah, and I lost 99 pounds and now I can be the person I was meant to be”. Every time I watch the commercial I want to turn off the T.V. I want to turn off the T.V because the implied thought … More Now I Can Be The Person I Was Meant to Be
It has been an “interesting” week at the Hogenson house. John in the hospital, my mom in a transitional care unit, our yorkie Lulu in the pet hospital, and a family member had surgery on Friday. Some good news and bad news. The good news (aside from the Good News in the Gospel) is that … More A Quick Update…
Many years ago I was in my office, nose to the grind stone, when I got a call, “Pastor Hogenson your mother is in the Emergency Room and you had better come”. This is the kind of call that no one wants and always induces fear. When I got to the Emergency Room, I greeted … More A Bad Country Western Song
Pastor John Hogenson 