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 …
I would hate to be the complaint department at Facebook right about now. They tweaked their networking site to handle newsfeeds, emails, and other minor things differently and the complaints started popping up on statuses everywhere. The emotions seemed to range from minor irritation to “I’m leaving facebook forever!” I couldn’t help but chuckle at … Continue reading
Oh Lord, how did we end up here? As I look around I see people who are hurting, angry, scared and indifferent. Pundits proclaim they have the answers. ‘More education! More money! More Government! Less Government! Less taxes! Less God!’ It’s enough to make my head spin. I hardly know where to turn, so I … Continue reading
It has been an interesting week to say the least. On Tuesday, Virginia had it’s largest earthquake in over a century. It was felt from New York to the Carolinas. Fortunately, except for those close to the epicenter, the damage was minimal, but it definitely got the attention of everyone on the east coast who … Continue reading
The history buff in me couldn’t wait to get his hands on this book. I wasn’t disappointed. Yockelson’s prose is easy to read and made this biography of one of America’s most iconic heroes an easy page-turner. Yockelson starts with the childhood of Douglas MacArthur, detailing how he grew up as a military kid, moving … Continue reading
I have had a blast serving multiple weeks of camp this summer. If I were a kid and had to write a letter home that described some of the things I have seen, it might have looked something like this: Dear Mom and Dad, Camp has been fun so far and I just couldn’t wait … Continue reading
A week of opposites. That is what last week was to me. We had breakfast at dinner-time and dinner at breakfast time. We ate desserts first and main course after. We walked in lines backwards and turned the daily schedule on it’s head. Why? To illustrate that Jesus wants us to live ‘backwards’ and ‘upside-down’ … Continue reading
I typically steer away from getting mired down in politics. Even now, I am not sure why I picked this book to review from booksneeze (maybe there was a limited selection, or I was momentarily entranced by the eye-catching ‘O’ logo of Obama’s). Either way I picked it, and now the onus is on me … Continue reading
Max Lucado has long been a favorite author of mine, though admittedly I read him more to ‘borrow’ illustrations for sermons and lessons than for any other reason. When ‘Max On Life’ came out I was so excited to give it a read I was hoping for perhaps a more intimate look at Lucado’s life … Continue reading
Harold Camping is just the latest in a long list of doomsday prophets who have fallen flat on their faces. As I watched the aftermath of his failed prediction I was struck by the sincerity of some of his followers. Sure, they were gullible and easily led astray. And yes, it’s easy to look at … Continue reading
It is tempting to cheer, and at first I did. Hands went in the air triumphantly at the news that one of America’s greatest foes had fallen. Justice was served. The innocent blood of thousands was avenged, and I rejoiced. But in my heart something broke. Beneath the jubilation was a great sadness, a mourning … Continue reading
The Pondering Preacher 