The random honking was faint at first. Then through the trees I could see the flapping of wings as they approached from the East. Now in full view, they banked to the left making a complete u-turn in full formation, gliding as they made their approach down to their landing area. In the final few…
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When All Hope is Gone…But God
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Ephesians 2. This is the chapter where Paul tells us that we were once dead in trespasses and sin, living according to power of evil, carrying out all of our sinful desires, indulging ourselves in everything that leads to righteous wrath and judgement. Let’s face it: that’s…
The Proven Character of Our Faith
Several years ago, my friend, Todd, called me with news that he had developed terminal cancer. I remember hearing the strength in his voice. It was noteworthy, not only because he had just received the news no one wants to hear, but because my own voice was shaky as my heart sunk at the news….
Words Matter
I am preparing to teach an Introduction to Biblical Interpretation class in the fall (if you’re interested, the link is here) and a friend sent this to me which I found applicable not only in the world of biblical interp, but also, generally. Modern culture says words are social constructs that do not have inherent…
Welcoming Chris Petty to The Gathering
I have the privilege of welcoming a friend of mine, Chris Petty, to preach at The Gathering this Sunday. Chris is formerly the Pastor at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Ringgold, GA, but has recently been called as a career missionary to Bolivia. He and his family are planning on moving early in 2017. I love…
7 Tips for Reading Better, Faster and Smarter
I have to read a lot for my job. As a pastor, my responsibility is not to know everything, but to know as much as I can and then know where to find what I don’t know (which is plenty!). That’s a big responsibility when you are regularly asked questions on every minutia of theology…
Demonic Distraction
I’m not likely to elicit the services of a prostitute. I’m not likely to get a bottle of scotch and polish it off in a sitting. I’m not likely to hunt down someone I dislike and take them out with one, ridiculously accurate shot between the eyes. There are probably a thousand different things I…
A Hunger for More
For the past few weeks, I’ve been experiencing some strange things going on with my heart–literally, not metaphorically. I’ve experienced elevated blood pressure, tightness in my chest, slightly labored breathing, and feelings of anxiety. It got so bad that I landed in the hospital for a couple of days while they ran tests and tried…
More Thoughts on Refugees
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote some initial thoughts on the refugee crisis. I mentioned that there is so much we cannot know in order to determine whether or not we should support taking in refugees. After listening to endless officials and pundits over the last several weeks analyze and argue their views, I still don’t…
Quick Thoughts on Refugees
As hard as it is, I am trying to look at the current refugee crisis carefully, thoughfully, morally and ethically. As I think about this, I have to realize there are so many unknowns behind the scenes that make it impossible for me, with all certainty, to take a “right” position. I find I have…
On “The Selfishness of Skipping Church”
It may be an infrequent occurrence when non-Christians stroll into the doors of a church to check it out. I get that. What is hard for me to get my mind around is why that infrequency is becoming more the case for professing followers of Christ. In his piece entitled, “The Selfishness of Skipping Church”,…
‘What lion?’ Zimbabweans ask, amid global Cecil circus | Reuters
For most people in the southern African nation, where unemployment tops 80 percent and the economy continues to feel the after-effects of billion percent hyperinflation a decade ago, the uproar had all the hallmarks of a ‘First World Problem’.”Are you saying that all this noise is about a dead lion? Lions are killed all the…
The Church in the Second Stage of Exile
A must-read by Steve McAlpine on the “Stage Two” exile of the Church. If you are wondering what is going on with the church and culture (the world) and where we are heading, you need to take the time to read the entire article. I think he’s probably spot on. Here’s an excerpt: Second Stage…
Mother’s Day at The Gathering – A Safe Place
I know that Mother’s Day can be one of the absolute worst Sundays to go to church. There are unmarried women who want to be married but aren’t, married women who desperately want to have children but can’t, men and women who have lost their mothers and the pain is overwhelming. There are children who…
People of integrity and Courage
This is the most amazing picture I’ve seen coming out of the Baltimore riots. May God allow healing to begin
Godly Surgeon
I’m blessed to have a man of God for a surgeon who knows his own limits and prays for me before he operates on me.
Pre-Op
I don’t know what’s up with these compression socks, but getting stuck with that needle made me forget! We’re all clear, just hanging out with my bride waiting on a visit from my doc before they slip me a mickey and take me back.
Yep.
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Even while recovering from surgery, my wife insists on expressing her love for me. #Blessed #GoodExpression!
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