In the center of the 23rd Psalm, everything changes.Everything.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me . . .It's my favorite part.I believe our experience of it this Sunday will be powerful &...
In some earlier posts, I talked about some of my favorite books and songs.So what about movies?Well, we don't seem them all that often; I'm no film expert like James-Michael Smith.But occasionally, I have gone to the theater and been either thoroughly entertained or...
Have you noticed how everyone is sorry for their sin . . . after they get caught? The repentance gear seems to kick in once the light exposes the dark places of people's lives.Jimmy Swaggart's tears, Mark Sanford's press conference, and Ted Haggard's apology all come...
Frances Havergal said this: "Faithfulness to principle is only proved by faithfulness in detail."Think about that.How applicable to the life of a pastor.I may believe in the principle of servanthood, but am I faithful to the detail of First Serve?I may believe in the...
I wasn't at Good Shepherd on Sunday because I was preaching at the Pleasant Grove Campground in Mineral Springs, NC, pictured at the right.In fact, I preached at the campground on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and then again yesterday for what they...
So this week, our Still series moves to verse 2 of Psalm 23:He maketh me lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still waters.Doesn't that sound nice?Doesn't that look nice?This Sunday, Good Shepherd will experience how it happens.Still, Week 2. 8:30. 10:00....
Below is the recently adopted "Statement Of Mission, Vision, and Values" for The School Of Theology At Claremont, one of the 13 official United Methodist-related seminaries in the U.S.:STATEMENT OF MISSION, VISION AND VALUESAt its March 2008 meeting, the Board of...
A lot of people in leadership mistake activity for progress.I know this because I've done this.Back in the day, for example, I wanted the church bulletin to be as full as possible. I wanted it to be loaded with information and to feature a calendar that was stocked...
On July 20, 1969, I was seven years old and watched the moon landing and moon walk at my Aunt Florence's house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.What do I remember?Flying from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale with my mother on an Eastern Air Lines flight and eating a corned beef...
How do you "launch" something that emphasizes being "still"?Here's how:This series will be a departure for us. But it's a depature we must take.Four weeks on the 23rd Psalm.And I believe God will be in it, just as he is in those words: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall...