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 …
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 …
Ah, conventions. We church leaders love them. Leadership. Church Growth. Church Planting. Name the flavor and preachers, ministers, youth and worship leaders will flock to them. The best worship bands, well-known authors, preachers, and teachers will fill our minds with ideas and our hearts with zeal. And there in the seats we sit, with our …
If I have told her once I have told her a thousand times not to take a bath with her e-reader. But she is my daughter, which means she has to learn some things the hard way, and that was the case last night. She (name withheld to protect the not-so-innocent) opened the door last … Continue reading
I know, some of you read the title and are ready to send me a scathing, 3,000 word e-mail about abortion, the right to life movement, Roe v. Wade and fetal heartbeats. Don’t waste your time. I’m wholeheartedly against abortion. I believe it is murder and I also believe that a just God will one … Continue reading
“If my people, who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn…” -II Chronicles 7:14a “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” -Helen H. Lemmel I have a love/hate relationship with America. Now before my patriotic friends pick up the torches and pitchforks, allow me to explain. I love our … Continue reading
It’s Christmas day and there’s an empty chair Where a loved one sat so very near. There are presents underneath the tree That little eyes will never see. The candle’s flame flickers low, The lights have seemed to lose their glow, And even if there were snow We would still feel Death’s ruthless blow. Where, … Continue reading
My emotions now are a freight train of feelings colliding with a passenger train of adjectives. Anger. Wrecked. Brokenhearted. Shattered. Shocked. Sickened. No matter how hard I try, there is no way to make sense of an armed man executing a classroom of 5-year-olds. The idea of it is nauseating. Seeing it carried out in … Continue reading
Half of the country woke up this morning saying, “Great! Another four years!” The other half rolled out of bed, poured themselves a cup of sarcasm and said, “Great. Another four years.” Regardless how you voted, this one truth is certain: we are not a United States of America despite the soaring rhetoric from both … Continue reading
Every minister has questions. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. Some are sparked by pure curiosity: Why does every stereotypical ‘traditional’ church have the exact same portrait of Jesus? Why did they choose this color for the carpet? What will happen if I ‘forget’ to wear a tie on Sunday? (if you preach at … Continue reading
Imagine the stereotypical country church in a pastoral setting: little white building, green stained glass, a steeple and 100 year old oak trees framing the picture. That’s the church I am blessed enough to serve. She sits off a two-lane country road in the middle of tobacco farms where we define a traffic jam as … Continue reading
The pot is officially stirred. Don’t blame Chick-fil-A. They are merely the catalyst that brought things from a slow simmer to a rolling boil. For over 48 hours the culture war has raged, and it has brought some interesting e-mails to my inbox. I have had several people ‘come out,’ so to speak, in private … Continue reading
I’m a fan of outspoken Christians. From the Apostle Peter to Jon Wesley I have always held men who boldly spoke the truth in the face of opposition in the highest regard. Add to that list Truett Cathy, the founder and owner of Chick-fil-A and his son, Dan Cathy, the company CEO. Their company has … Continue reading
The Pondering Preacher 