As I write this, it's Wednesday night, India time, and Wednesday morning, US time.In other words, I've already been where you are right now.It's the way time works.Our team of James-Michael Smith, Brent Burdick, and I, along with host P.R. Misra, spent our first day...

As you can see under the "Books I Like" heading, I recently read Peter Ames Carlin's new biography of Bruce Springsteen.And in reading it, I discovered something I share in common with him.Not guitar talent.Not singing voice.Not ability to write lyrics.Not...

Here are some things that Brent Burdick, James-Michael Smith, and I hope to accomplish as we minister in the state of Odisah which is in eastern India.  The map below says "Orissa" because the state just changed its name to Odisha in 2011.  1. Learn from the...

To my right is James-Michael Smith.To my left is Brent Burdick.As you read this, we are somewhere over Asia, flying into Delhi, India.From there, we are headed to the state of Odisha, the city of Bhubaneswar, and then the regions of Balasore and Kandhamal.It's my...

Who can forget the sheer brilliance of Gilbert O'Sullivan?  Well, actually I susspect that most of you can.  Or already have.Nevertheless, he gave me the title for a message.Because as we go deep into Constant Contact, I have a message from the life of...

In the study guide "Lord, Change My Attitude," Pastor James McDonald offers this definition of covetousness:"Wanting something so much that you lose your satisfaction in God."I like that.I like that because I live it.Things I want so badly it causes me to...

One day while driving the streets of Charlotte not too long ago, I stopped by Kiss 95.1 on the radio.If you're not from here, 95.1 is the pop station in town -- the place where you can expect to hear Kelly Clarkson, Ke$ha (did I spell that right?), and Lady Gaga.In...

Roger Olson, who teaches at the Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, is the most interesting of theological mixes:  a Southern Baptist, an evangelical who is not fundamentalist and, perhaps best of all, an articulate advocate of...

First of all, the snowstorm that hit Charlotte on Saturday evening was the worst possible kind from a preacher's perspective:  strong enough to hinder Sunday attendance but not so strong that we needed to cancel.  It also hit on Saturday evening, meaning...

Over the last week, blog topics came faster than I could keep up with them -- a trip to Texas, a story in the Charlotte Observer on Home, Valentines' Love Songs, reflections on self-love, and then yestereday an anecdote shedding light into what kind of community Good...