The series that comes after Easter is as important as what comes before.That's why we knew we had to do JesusTweets as our Easter follow-up.JesusTweets? You bet. Why?Because Twitter is all about followers. It counts people who follow people.Sort of like Jesus."Follow...
Is What It Took To Get You Where You Are What It Takes To Get You Where You’re Going?
As I listened to some of the leading pastoral voices in Methodism speak on such subjects as avoiding burnout, staff relationships, and time management, a question kept running through my mind:Is what it took to get us where we are what it will take to get us where we...
The Eternal Kansas City
Van Morrison released this enigmatic yet engaging tune about Kansas City way back in 1977:Why do I share that with you?Because I'm in the "eternal Kansas City" for a couple of days this week.It's part of a gathering of the pastors of the 100 largest United Methodist...
Top Five Tuesday: Top Five Observations From Easter 2011
Here are reflections & observations for a resurrection well celebrated at Good Shepherd:1. Opening with a raucous rendition of Mike Farris' Ain't No Grave was the ideal way to start out. We laughed that people came to Good Shepherd for some "Resurrection Blues." 2. So...
The Best Easter Note Of Encouragement
On Easter Sunday, I got up very early (of course) to get ready for the Sunrise Service.As I made my way into the kitchen to prepare my English muffin (with honey, thank you) and hard boiled egg, I noticed a small piece of scratch paper on the kitchen counter.On the...
The Lines Lead To Easter
Here's what to expect from our "Lines" this Holy Weekend:Good Friday Worship: 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT Message: "Flatline"Easter Sunday Worship:7:00 a.m. -- Sunrise Service at the Corner Campus8:30 a.m. -- Easter Celebration in the Worship Center10 a.m. -- Easter Celebration...
Not Settling For Mediocrity
In the "Books I Like" section on the left, you'll note that I've recently read "The Story Of Asbury Theological Seminary."I loved it.But I'm weird. And a devoted alum.Anyway, I read that Henry Clay Morrison, the founding president of the school, once said that he...
A New Song I Love
It's not often I love a song on first hearing.Yet I stumbled across Paul Simon's "Getting Ready For Christmas Day" the other day and got hooked. Immediately. The conversation you'll hear in the background is a "sample" of a 1941 sermon delivered by Rev. J.M. Gates....
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Things About Spring Breakthrough
Here's a slice of what I'm doing this week:The 2011 edition looks a lot like the 2010 version. Except maybe better.Here are the Top Five Things about Spring Breakthrough:5. Students spending their spring break at the Charlotte Rescue Mission, Uptown Men's Shelter, and...
What Bulls & Goats Do These Days
Why?Well,here are the original instructions to the children of Israel in Leviticus:16:6 “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. 7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the...