The Memorial Day weekend signals for many the beginning of summer. We may well find ourselves with some extra time for play, rest, and rejuvenation. This is a great time to catch up on reading and listening. Here are some books and podcasts I’ll be checking out this summer. Era of Ignition: Coming of Age…
3 Issues Worthy of a National Emergency
The term “national emergency” has recently taken its place in our vocabulary. The President declared a national emergency in response to what he considers to be a crisis at the US border with Mexico. Of course, there is way more to this declaration, but that’s another discussion for another day. While I don’t disagree that…
The Privilege of Merely Being Cold
I woke up this morning in my warm, heated house. The first thing I did was turn over and look at my iPhone, which told me the temperature was -7 degrees with a wind chill of around -20. I took a hot shower, picked from an abundance of clothes in order to get dressed, and…
4 Ways Your Church Can Empower New Leaders
No matter the size of the congregation or the size of the staff, the ministries of a church are primarily carried out through those who make up the church community. Many congregations experience a leadership vacuum, with long-time leaders burned out and newer members not being offered a seat at the table. We make it hard to…
5 Ways to Really Keep Christ in Christmas
Yesterday, I saw a forgotten bumper sticker on the back of a car- Keep Christ in Christmas. It made me think of the manufactured “war on Christmas” that some groups have perpetuated in the last few years. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter if we are saying “Happy Holidays’ or “Merry Christmas” if we ignore the…
Our Better Nature
By now, you’ve seen either the video or the picture of Bob Dole standing up from his wheelchair to give President George H.W. Bush one final salute. If the scene doesn’t stir something inside you, I suspect nothing will. I realized that those are the first two people that I didn’t vote for in terms…
5 Things for Which I Am Thankful for at Thanksgiving
2018 has been giving 2017 a run for its money when it comes to civil dysfunction. Let’s be honest; things aren’t exactly getting better in our political and civil discourse. As a Jesus follower, my predisposition is towards hope, but that’s not exactly an easy path on some days. As we slow down and prepare…
Not Again- The Cost of Gun Violence
Sunday afternoon. I preached in the morning and following lunch with family and friends was sitting on the back patio, making my way to the coveted Sunday afternoon preacher’s nap. The news alert came on my phone. Not Again. Another shooting, this time at the Landing in Jacksonville. I’ve been to the Landing. People I…
A Border, Two Pastors, and One God
$5,000 to $7,000 The local pastor and I were standing in view of Mexico’s border with the United States. The pastor knew the local neighborhood well. He knew the people-their joys and their struggles. For most, the biggest struggle was making ends meet for their family. Surviving each day. Our group was there building an…
The Wedding Sermon: 3 Things the Mainline Church Needs to Quit
A wedding sermon Of all the things that could possibly transform the mainline church, a wedding sermon? Think of the countless hours of meetings, the dollars spent on consultants and supposed experts, the physical and spiritual labor poured out, the tears shed, the failed strategies. When all else fails, it’s a wedding sermon that saves…
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