When one person makes a mess, it's often someone else's job to clean it up.If you were with us last week, you know King Ahaz spread near-fatal toxins throughout the kingdom of Judah.It's up to his son Hezekiah to bring in the HazMat crew and restore the land.We'll see...

625 kids.125 volunteers.1 church getting Zapped.It's all Vacation Bible Experience 2012.We've gathered for music led by the BigHouse Band . . .  . . . Science skits led by Mr. Charles and Mr. Alfred . . .Teaching Time led by Chris Thayer . . .. . . Small...

Back in 2010, I had a post called Better Church Vs. Better Life that has been on my mind this week.  So I think it's time to re-visit it, as it's a subject about which I need continual reminders.Here it is:Better Church vs. Better Life This may be wishful...

In honor of the NBA Finals that begins tonight, I'm devoting today's Top Five to pro basketball.I was actually an enthusiastic fan until the seventh grade.  Not coincidentally, that was also the time I stopped playing basketball so I could devote more time...

Today's Charlotte Observer features this large front page spread regarding our Presbyterian brothers and sisters.The Presbyterian Church (USA) -- the largest of several Presbyterian bodies -- has in the last several years adopted progressive stances regarding...

We've had The King Of Bling, The Iron Lady King, and The However Kings.(Well, I originally titled that third one The Kings Of Compromise, but if you were with us last week you know that The However Kings is a much more appropriate title.)This week it's the most...

Last Sunday afternoon, Good Shepherd hosted a briefing session for delegates to the upcoming Western North Carolina Annual Conference meeting.  Methodists from all over Mecklenburg and Gaston counties gave up their Sunday naps to come and receive the...

When John Irving writes a novel, he begins with the final sentence.  Here's how Irving himself words it:"For 12 novels the last sentence has come first, and not even the punctuation has changed. From that last sentence I make my way in reverse through the plot,...

Covering a song in rock & roll is a delicate task.  The artist must honor the original while adding a new element, energy, or style that makes the new version stand on its own.Some artists cover well.  Others get covered.  Some, like Bruce...

We preachers spend a lot of time and energy trying to bring life to our sermons through what have historically been called illustrations.Donald Grey Barnhouse, longtime pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, compiled the most famous collection of...