Nearing the conclusion of his personal wrestling with the relationship between Jews and the church, Paul makes this enigmatic claim:And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written . . . (11:26)That verse and its wording have been the source of no little...

I wrote this post originally back in December of 2012. Since that time, I might have had a book or two -- no, really, just one -- vault to near the top of the list.  Here's a hint:   I love reading novels, sports books, and political history.  In that order. Yet...

. . . when it's in the bible.Philipians 3:8, as a matter of fact, which in most translations uses the much gentler word "rubbish" to translate what Paul literally meant as "excrement."  He was using vivid imagery to make a salient point:  all his...

The road gets bumpy, filled with cracks, almost impassible for cars, and what must be done?Repaving.It's true of my street and your street.And it's also true of Memory Lane.  Just when we get tempted to live there -- whether the memories be good or bad -- then...

One day earlier this week, I ate lunch with some friends who work at the church.It was a quick lunch, eaten on our campus, and surrounded by the bustle of the pre-school.But here's what happened.  I ate my customary lunch of sliced turkey (no bread), rice,...

While I am a very disciplined person, I have not always been a disciplined leader.In my years at Good Shepherd, I have gotten excited about new projects, taken us on different tangents, and been hesitant to reinforce the same few ideas time and time again.  For...

Watching Georgia come just short of upsetting Alabama as Chris Conley lost his footing on the five yard line as the clock ran out made me think about memorable final plays.Here's the UGA sadness:But that one, while current and painful if you live in or have...

After years of pondering and months of planning, we celebrated our first-ever all-Spanish worship service yesterday.  Good Shepherd Latino lauched as . . . 141 people of all ages came to the Corner Campus . . .received a welcome fit for a king . . .then...