I love football (both kinds). I think Jason Sudeikis is comedy gold (I will argue with you if you disparage We’re the Millers). I like and use Apple products. Given all of this, you would think I would not have arrived late to the Ted Lasso party. We have Apple TV because we received a…
A Back to School Prayer
A new school year begins and students, teachers, administrators, and staff are filled with anticipation and with trepidation Anticipation for learning and growth, for friendships that will be developed, and for lives that will be changed for the better through education. Trepidation for continuing to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, for tough assignments, for days…
Beth Moore and the SBC
Thinking about Beth Moore leaving the SBC story. I'm glad she is leaving and following her convictions. I know she is a person of influence within many Christian circles and will encourage others to do the same. Anytime someone leaves an oppressive theology for something liberating, it's a good thing... however... she is not the…
More Than a Number
Shocking...that doesn't seem to fit Heartbreaking...that may be better, but doesn't quite get there 500,000 That's the number of COVID deaths we have reached in the United States. In one of the wealthiest, most medically sophisticated countries in the world, over half a million people have died from a virus they knew little to nothing…
Three Things…from Schitt’s Creek: The Rose Family
This week in worship we continued a series called Family Values, looking at the intersection of television and theology. We are looking at what lessons we can learn for our own relationships, both inside family and out. This week, we looked at the Rose family and the people of Schitt's Creek, along with Nicodemus' encounter…
Three Things…from This is Us: The Pearson Family
This week in worship we began a new series called Family Values. The series will explore the intersection of television and theology, especially around issues of family. The term "family values" brings up a lot if images, some helpful and some...well, not so helpful. One of my hopes for this series is that we will…
Three Things…from This Week’s Message
This week in worship we celebrated Epiphany, using the traditional Epiphany text from Matthew's Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12 (CEB). The full text appears at the bottom of this post. We know very little about the actual circumstances surrounding the Magi's visit to see the newborn Jesus. We don't know who they are or exactly where they…
The Gospel According to Christmas Vacation
I was in my early teens when my friends and I went to the movies to see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This was one of the first PG-13 movies I remember seeing in the theaters (do you remember those? Before March, we used to go to this building called a theater to see movies) Now…
10 Things I Am Grateful for This Thanksgiving
I always stand in awe of people for whom gratitude is a natural response. It’s Thanksgiving, which means we focus on giving thanks, which means we focus on gratitude. Some people are just grateful by nature. A spirit of gratitude permeates their presence. Maybe this is you. This is not me. I wish it was, but it’s…
Our Mistakes Do Not Define Us
Tiger Woods made a 10 yesterday. When asked how that happened he simply said, "I chose the wrong wind." I was struck by that. How often do we feel like we are flailing around in life, searching for answers and it's as simple as "I chose the wrong wind?”He went on to birdie 5 of…
