Memoirs

Still Growing Up To Be a Child

2021-03-12T06:40:55+00:00By Joel|Memoirs, Videos|

A theme in my life that I thought until now was kind of a seasonal thing, was the idea that I would often call: “growing up to be a child.” In Matthew chapter 18 we read a story about the disciples coming to Jesus with the question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” It says that Jesus called a child over into the middle of the conversation and He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” [...]

Don’t Let Me Forget: The song on the radio in a room called “Remember”

2022-06-03T18:04:48+00:00By Joel|Audio, Memoirs, memories, Nomad Chronicles|

This week I've been pondering, as many have, the end of this year. The spiritual practice of "Remembering" has become a helpful and comfortable place for me over the years. Like broken in jeans, or shoes, or that piece of furniture that has become contoured to your shape over time. I've recently been thinking of a Frederick Buechner book entitled, "A Room Called Remember." The book is introduced and themed around a dream that Buechner had. He had a dream where he was staying in an incredibly euphoric hotel room but when he left it he found that he couldn’t find it again. He went to a front desk to explain his predicament, and the room, [...]

Clinging to God

2020-08-02T06:44:10+00:00By Joel|discipleship, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God, Memoirs, Spiritual Formation, Story, theology, Videos|

"Knowing God's intentions is what we need to hang on to when there's times of pain and suffering." - Dr. Jim Wilder on Susie Larson Live Recently, I shared a message on the posture of 'clinging to God' at the church where I serve. The topic that we are on is "Recalculating: when plans change." As I thought about this in my own life I have been humbled. From the high desert of the Navajo Nation, to sleeping on couches throughout my late teens and early twenties, I am thankful for all those who opened their hearts and homes to me as a young monk-ish nomad, itinerately walking everywhere. I am in awe of the [...]

Waiting (Live)

2018-01-24T22:31:40+00:00By Joel|DGRA, In The Margin, Memoirs, Music, Perseverance, prayer, Story|

It's one of the most meaningful things to me to be able to recollect and perform songs that I've performed for years, and this one is one of my favorites. It's rare to have recording of the song's intro also, so it was fun to catch it on tape, as well as having my wife take the lead with me. I hope you enjoy this little snapshot of my life and music. Waiting By Joel Bidderman Verse: This road is dusty And it’s getting to my eyes So that I can’t see where I’m going Or even the time But I’ll trust in You Though it feels hurtin’ to me And though I can’t see Verse [...]