It’s something I have done since my first ministry. On Fridays I walk through the empty sanctuary, sit in each pew, and pray. I pray for the people who will sit there, whoever they may be. I pray that something happens to touch their hearts, strengthen their faith, or encourage them to live radically for … Continue reading
I grew up southern. Even more significant, I grew up Virginian. The foothills of the Blue Ridge were my playground, the red clay of the Old Dominion was my sandbox, and the countless historical sites and landmarks were my classroom. I cut my teeth on the stories of the settlers of Jamestown. I can trace … Continue reading
I had to check the calendar several times Saturday. White supremacists marching the streets. A KKK rally complete with pointy hats and rebel flags. People murdering each other over a statue. Were we in the 1960s? Wait, is that a Nazi flag? Is this the 1940s? To say my head was spinning is an understatement. … Continue reading
It’s Vacation Bible School week at the church I minister with, which means that everything is twice as busy, twice as messy, and twice as stressful as usual. Children of all ages are running around, doing crafts, singing songs, and learning about some of the heroes of the faith from staff that are dressed like, … Continue reading
It’s been a while. Nearly six months have passed since I have written anything other than a sermon or lesson. I even thought of pulling the plug on this blog. It’s not that I don’t have opinions. I do. It’s not that I haven’t had any ideas. I have. It’s not that I haven’t had … Continue reading
Recently I read an article that pointed out the generational feud in our culture between “Boomers” (born in the ’50 and ’60s) and “Millennials” (born in the ’90s and ’00s) all the while extolling the virtues of “Gen X” (born in the ’70s and ’80s). The article made the supposition that Gen X had the best … Continue reading
Abraham was called to a land he would never own to start a nation he would never see. Instead he meandered around the ancient Near East like an aimless vagabond. Moses spent the last forty years of his life wandering around the Sinai Peninsula with two million of perhaps the most ungrateful and stubborn people to … Continue reading
It’s safe to say social media has been a verbal minefield since Tuesday night. Tempers have flared, and depending where people fall on the political spectrum, there have been gloats or groans. Feelings have been hurt, insults have been flung, friends have been unfriended, and many have been scratching their heads wondering how a bloviating … Continue reading
How can a backup quarterback break the internet during a pre-season football game? That’s simple: refuse to stand for the national anthem. That’s exactly what 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick did a few days ago. His reason? To bring attention to the fact that America has not reached its ideal because minorities are oppressed in America. … Continue reading
Another election season is upon us. It’s a time of red vs. blue, mudslinging, divisive rhetoric and commercials filled with spinning half-truths. During times like this Christians often get pulled to one of two extremes: Endorse one candidate while painting all who don’t share that view as somehow less than spiritual, or… Abandon the political … Continue reading
