I live in a very narrow house, a few blocks from the Huntington Beach Pier, in sunny California.
I surf there. A lot. When I’m not snowboarding in the nearby mountains.
Most days, I sit in my Ikea lounge chair and write things. Lots of things. More than you think.
Most weeks, I walk down a jetway into a metal tube with engines and fly somewhere so I can speak with (1 to 5,000) people. I teach them things I have learned along the way, and I have covered many miles (literal and otherwise) in my half century on this planet. They pay me to do it, so I go. And I always get a window seat–I might be watching you right now!
I read really old books and understand some important (to me) dead languages. But I don’t talk to dead people, so don’t ask me to contact your deceased relatives.
I also love Europe. My especially good looking and fun-to-be-with wife is from Holland and our son (see pic above) was born in Germany. He is very big and strong; strong enough to throw you out of a window. I prefer reading fiction in the Dutch language by Mulisch, Beckman, Kimpen, Nooteboom, and t’Hart. I wish I was Italian, but ended up a Norwegian-American Lutheran.
I hang out with Pentecostals; they are my tribe. Yes, we speak in tongues and believe in healing. Most colorful people on earth. I wrote a book about it for you cautious types.
Robinwood Church meets in a tragically hip warehouse every Sunday morning a few miles from my house. They seem to think I am their leader, because they let me talk for 45 minutes about the Bible after they sing with their hands up in the air for a long time. But I know better–we are lead by a great team. Whatever you can imagine Robinwood is like, you can’t really know unless you hang out with us. And people all over the world listen to our podcast. Computer nerds tell us that it is one of the most listened to church podcasts around. I don’t like to wear shoes when I preach, and socks were a really bad invention. I moved to California mostly to get away from socks.
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David Housholder Essays 
19 comments
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December 6, 2009 at 12:02 am
Wendy Housholder
Nou ja!
January 25, 2011 at 5:53 am
Jan te Pas
Ik geloof dat wij op bezoek komen op Robinwood in een paar Zondagen. Tenminste zal is dat probeeren met de familie. Wij zijn in behoefte aan een nieuwe kerk dat we kunnen zeggen is onze “home” kerk. 🙂
Groet,
Jan te Pas
January 25, 2011 at 6:02 am
David Housholder
Nou, groot nieuws. Tot dadelijk!
December 18, 2009 at 4:11 am
Kitty Hilton
Love your “About Me”! Very cool, Hous!
March 8, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Sue Ritter
Hous,
Great website – thanks!
March 24, 2010 at 9:29 pm
katie
Heard you 10 days ago at Hosanna! I always learn so much from your teaching, thank you! The history and combination of perspectives is thought provoking. I am older than you are. I thought you might like to know that there are many of my age group who have different understandings of words than you younger folks. You playfully used the word “schmuck” during the sermon. People of my age have an understanding of that word ……………it has terrible connotations in the Yiddish culture, easily found in any search. Just thought you might like to know. I would hate for others to dismiss your teachings because of the use/misuse of a specific word. I welcome correction and remember when I was informed of the derogatory meaning of the word “gypped”.
Thanks for all you share with us!
Katie Cookas
March 25, 2010 at 1:32 am
David Housholder
Great to hear from you. Rock on, Katie!
April 21, 2010 at 11:01 am
Fr. Orthohippo
Why are you about to be voted off the Lutheran island? It happened to me, but that was about 30 years ago. Nowadays I thought my Lutheran brethren would accept almost anything (except, of course LCMS, Wisconsin, etc.).
Peace and grace.
April 21, 2010 at 3:31 pm
David Housholder
I have been a rostered ordained ELCA pastor since 1990.
Technically, you have to have at least a half time call in a loyal ELCA church to stay on the roster.
I have no intention of having a half time call anywhere–I enjoy being self employed. You can’t make any money as a pastor.
I lead Robinwood Church, which was not let into the ELCA when we invited the bishop over to find out how to join, and I hold a very part time call with Hosanna! in Lakeville, MN, which is leaving the ELCA.
There are lots of exceptions to this “rule” but only if you are PC and “culturally reinforcing” of the system.
No one has ever accused me of being either :-).
August 17, 2010 at 9:21 am
Tom Lutz
David,
Just thought I would Let you know that even some of us LCMS Pastors loved your article “Why Lutherans Can’t Evangilize”.
August 17, 2010 at 3:30 pm
David Housholder
Bless you, Tom. Pass it on!
June 12, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Open Sourcing | Teachings from the Trail
[…] take-aways from the Lighthouse Covenant Faith Lift conference that are enlightening to me. Pastor David Housholder always makes me think – he’s a true intellect’s intellectual whom I respect […]
September 13, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Erika (Prahl) Dew
You’ve come a long ways from little ol’ Bancroft, SD.
Do you remember trying to use soccer penalty cards to control Confirmation? I don’t think any of us had ever been to a soccer game, so I’m not sure if it had the desired effect.
Hard to believe I my oldest is now in Confirmation himself. Time flies. Hope all is well with you and your family.
September 13, 2010 at 9:05 pm
David Housholder
I remember you well! That was an especially colorful year. Now they use them in the sound booth of the church to keep my sermons from going over (yellow and red cards)
October 19, 2010 at 5:29 am
ejswensson
Dude!
December 30, 2010 at 6:29 am
Terry T Allen
David – off the roster is not out of the Lutheran Church – but there are many ways to stay on the roster if you want to. Blessings to you and your family.
February 24, 2011 at 10:42 am
Glen Carlson
Dave
When you were teaching in Camrose Alberta last week you mentioned that Romans 8 was your favorite chapter of the Bible. I gave you ch 1-5 of Romans in “Listening to Jesus in Romans.” Here is your favorite chapter as your listen to Jesus. Once again it is Jesus speaking to you personally. Enjoy.
Glen Carlson (sorry for the length-blame Paul)
Romans 8
Listening to Jesus
SETTING FREE
1. When you come to Me having accepted Me as your Saviour, and sealed in the baptismal covenant, I can joyously declare that you are not condemned by Me or by My Father. You are set free from the bondage of sin.
2. There is a new power working in you. Rather than the power of sin and death controlling you, you are now under the power of My Holy Spirit. My Spirit has given you life and has set up a wonderful relationship between us.
3. The law that I gave through Moses showed you the nature of your sin. Since you could do nothing about this, it was up to My Father to take action. He designed a new plan to rescue you from the power of sin. I came to earth and took on human form, just like yours. The difference was that I did not take on the nature of sin. Since I had no sin in Me, I was able to take all human sin upon Myself, removing the power and control of sin upon you. When I sacrificed by body and blood, this freed you from the power of sin. By accepting Me, your life of sin is changed to a life of righteousness.
GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
4. I died for you because I knew you could not become righteous by your own effort. I changed this so you do not need to feel guilty or be afraid of punishment. The Holy Spirit will now guide you. He will show you how to live a holy life.
5. If you had not accepted Me, then your life would be controlled by your human nature and not by My Spirit. The desires of your flesh would control your mind which in turn would be seen in your actions. But since you have accepted Me, you now live by the fruit of My Holy Spirit. This then is seen by the way you live.
CHOICES BEARING FRUIT
6. By accepting Me I have not removed your ability to make choices. You need to be aware of the fruit of your choices. If you choose to live by the desires of your flesh the result is death. If you choose to live by My Spirit the result is life and peace.
7. Since the fall into sin, the Devil has used human nature and the thoughts of the mind to take you away from Me. For this reason your natural desires often reject Me, and do not obey My law. When you are so absorbed in satisfying yourself you don’t even think of Me.
8. If you choose to follow the path of self satisfaction, being controlled by sin, you can never please Me. The result of your choice is death which again is a separation from Me.
PERSONAL RESIDENCE
9. Since I have taken up residence in you because you have made the right choice by accepting Me, sin no longer controls your actions. You are now under the power and guidance of My Holy Spirit. There are many who have not made this choice, they do not know what they are missing. Their “fun” can only lead to death for they have no knowledge of Me.
10. I am thrilled that you have welcomed Me into your life. You have accepted all that I have done. Even though your physical body will die because of sin, yet your spirit is alive and vibrant because of Me.
11. It was My Father who raised Me from the dead after I died on the cross. You also died because of sin. But when you welcome Me, it is My Father that raises you from death to a new life with Me. We both experience a resurrection from the dead.
CHILD OF THE FATHER
12. When you are tempted to carry on in the sinful lifestyle you are under no obligation to do so. Do not feel guilty. I have set you free and I also give you the strength to say no.
13. There were times in the past when you were sitting on the fence wondering which way you were going to fall. I know, for I was with you. Now you have made your decision; you know there is no benefit to you if you follow evil ways. With the power of My Holy Spirit you have turned from it, and moved on with your new life.
14. It is a delight for Me to call you a child of My Father. By saying this, you are now accepted into My family. As part of the family adventure, you will soon realize that the Holy Spirit is our tour guide. He will take us on travel journeys that are beyond this world. Put on your seat belt and let’s go.
FATHER IN HEAVEN
15. Since you are now adopted into My family, we must begin to consider how you should address God. The decision is based on how you feel about Him. Since you have told Me that you are honoured and feel close to Him there is no reason why you should not call him the same as I do, My Father in Heaven. He would like that.
16. When this recognition takes place there is a blending of spirits. My Father’s spirit, My spirit and your spirit blend together forming us into the family that God has created. You are a child of God.
17. Since you are now part of the Divine Family, you will receive an unbelievable inheritance. You and I will share all the wonderful things My Father has provided; this includes His Glory. As My follower I know it has not been easy for you at times in tomake the transformation from the world to Me. Since we share the pain of what it means to be Christian, we shall also share the glory.
FUTURE GLORY
18. If you focus each day on the pain and problems that you face, they will eventually overpower you. You will wonder “where is Jesus now when I need Him”, and wonder why I am not doing anything about it. Actually your present trouble is minor in comparison to what I will reveal to you in the future.
19. My Father has designed all of creation in such a way that it anticipates the time when you and all His children will experience a new resurrection. What a wonderful day that will be, for we will be all together and there will be no more evil and hardship.
20. When you sin, the world around you also suffers. The curse that My Father pronounced on all humans because of sin was also on all creation. This is not the fault of creation, but now anticipates a future glory of full reproduction.
LABOR PAINS OF CREATION
21. My Father and I have appointed a time when you and all creation will be released from decay and death. At that time creation will join with you and all God’s children to see the wonderful glory and freedom We have made ready for you.
22. Look at a rose bud and see its eagerness to burst forth to show its color and beauty. Or look at a mother who pushes in pain as her child eagerly bursts forth from the womb receiving its own life. This is the kind of excitement that all creation waits for when it will join with you in that great day I have set so you can be free.
HOPE IN GLORY
23. When I left earth to go to My Father, I promised that I would give you the Holy Spirit. The purpose of My Spirit is to help and guide you through life while on earth. This does not mean that you will be without pain and suffering. But it does mean that you have hope for the future, as I have promised, anticipating complete freedom, receiving your new body on our heavenly journey.
24. I have fulfilled the promise of salvation through My death and resurrection, saving you because you have accepted Me. You are living in the time between pain and glory. You now wait eagerly and patiently for the time when I will fulfill the promise of glory. This gives you something to look forward to.
25. With My Spirit within you, the longer you wait for what you do not have, the greater the joy of expectancy. Do not get discouraged in your waiting but be encouraged.
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
26. If you do get tired of waiting for My coming back to you, then My Spirit will come along side of you and lead you along so you do not get discouraged. If you get frustrated and wonder what to pray for at times, just leave it alone. The Holy Spirit will pray for you that will touch the very depth of your heart and reach into My heart.
27. Because the Holy Spirit is working with you 24/7, I know you even better than you know yourself. I intercede for you before My Father so He knows you intimately and understands every thought of your mind and every condition of your body.
RECEIVING ETERNAL LOVE
28. You know that My love for you is eternal and will never stop. Even if you have times of doubt and are going through a hard time, you know that everything that happens is according to My plan for you and is a response of My love.
29. My Father began molding you at the time of your conception and continued when you were born. It was His plan to mold you into My image so that you would be like Me. Since I am the first born of the New Covenant and with many people like you I can build My Kingdom on earth.
ON THE WINNING TRACK
30. After My Father made the decisions of what you would be like, I extended a call to you to follow Me. When you accepted, I cleared the slate with My blood so that nothing would stand between you and My Father. The promise of glory was restored to you like it was at the time of creation.
31. So you see, you will never lose. No matter how strong the evil forces are, they will never win. When you are with Me and on the side of My Father you always win.
32. The love that My Father has for you is so overwhelming that there is nothing He would not do for you. He went so far that He was even willing to give Me, His own Son to die. There isn’t anything He wouldn’t gladly and freely do in order to free you.
BEING SPECIAL
33. You are now a very special person in My eyes and in the eyes of My Father. Because of your righteousness in Me, My Father has already said you are not guilty of any charges that may be brought against you. Nobody can accuse you or charge you with any wrong. Stand with your head held high with pride in our relationship.
34. If anyone tries to run you down and accuse you of something wrong, don’t listen to them for they are just blowing their own horn, There is no one in a position to condemn you. I certainly will not, because I am the one who saved you. I am also the one who has gone to My Father to intercede and help you, so why would I now speak ill of you? It makes no sense.
STRONG RELATIONSHIP
35. I consider our relationship so strong that there will be nothing that can destroy it. Many people, and at times circumstances and conditions, will try to destroy this relationship, to no avail. When they do try don’t worry, because I am right beside you. But you need to be aware of the many forms of danger that could drive a wedge between us. Even things like trouble, hard times, hatred, hunger, homelessness, bullying threats, backstabbing can come between us. Other times I have listed other sins; even these cannot destroy our relationship.
36. There are many times in history that My people suffered because of Me. Many died because they stood up declaring they believed in Me and were shot because of it. Because of My love their life did not end in vain. The world hates goodness so it will consider you the enemy, for you stand for goodness.
VICTORY THROUGH DEATH
37. Even with this conflict between good and evil we will end up the victors. Our battle team consists of My Father, Myself, you and all the children of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our weapon is love. The overwhelming victory is ours through Me and the love that I have shown.
38. Because of the power and confidence that exists around us there is nothing in all creation that will be able to separate the two of us. Our bond is too great. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t destroy our love for one another.
39. Whether you and I are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of My Father. I have revealed this through My incarnation when I came to earth to be your Friend, Saviour, and Lord.
February 24, 2011 at 8:04 pm
David Housholder
I was hoping you would send that! 🙂
January 29, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Brian Morphonios
Great scripture reading…thanks Glen and David!