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New Book Coming Soon

Family portrait of the Tosettos (paternal ancestors), ca. 1925 I am pleased to announce this book is now under contract with Wipf & Stock (Eugene, OR) and due for publication in 2021. Twentieth-century America provided a platform for countless immigrant peoples who, in turn, contributed to the nation’s landscape as a multicultural, inclusive land ofContinue reading “New Book Coming Soon”

Yahweh Will Carry You Through

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isa. 46:4, NIV) The journey of fatherhood remains filled with immense reward. My wife and I have always relished outdoor hikes together.Continue reading “Yahweh Will Carry You Through”

The Little Tugboat: My Father’s Call to Ministry

I am delighted to feature this memoir penned by my mother, Joy Palma, in honor of her late father, Joseph Rubbo. Grandpa Rubbo (1920-1998) pastored Bayside Church in Queens, New York for thirty-two years. He served for a number of years as the Eastern District Overseer of the Christian Church of North America (with moreContinue reading “The Little Tugboat: My Father’s Call to Ministry”

The Mandate of Freedom

If you were sinking in a ship and had something that would block 50% of the inflowing water, you wouldn’t say, “that’s not worth bothering with.” You’d use it because it would buy you and everyone on board more time to get to their life raft and for the rescue squad to get to you.Continue reading “The Mandate of Freedom”

Building a Godly Family

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, NIV). If there is any silver lining to these months of the coronavirus pandemic, it is that they’ve forced me to direct my time and attention to the most important things in life. For me, that’s four very critical somethings—namely, Gabrielle,Continue reading “Building a Godly Family”

From the Mouths of Babes

In celebration of the girls’ birthday coming up, I’d like to share a reflection I wrote a few years ago when they were hardly a year old. The piece was originally published on CBN.com. I want to thank Beth Patch, Senior Editor at the network, for the permission to feature the piece here for allContinue reading “From the Mouths of Babes”

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Pioneers of the Faith, Caterina Gardella (Palma), 1885-1958

I wrote this bio in honor of the legacy of my paternal great-grandmother, Caterina Gardella. She was a church founder, the first Secretary-Treasurer of the Christian Church of North America, and a gifted pianist. We named our little “Kat” (twin A) after her. The piece was originally published on the website, Explorations in Italian Protestantism, editedContinue reading “Celebrating Women’s History Month: Pioneers of the Faith, Caterina Gardella (Palma), 1885-1958”

A Father’s Day Tribute, 2020

In honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to share a piece written by my dad on behalf of his dad. I’m grateful for Dad’s dedication to his family, work, and ministry. The same values he lauds of Grandpa, well, I can say the same about him. For example, I can’t think of a single timeContinue reading “A Father’s Day Tribute, 2020”

Living in the “Last Days”

The current pandemic and George Floyd tragedy, protests, and riots can give one the eerie sense that the words of Jesus are being fulfilled in our midst: For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places:all this is but the beginning of the birth pangsContinue reading “Living in the “Last Days””