On most Sundays at Good Shepherd, we remind the people of the church that the bible is not a book; it's a library. I often have people tell me of the jolt of insight they received upon hearing those words and that understanding for the first time. And the...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Things To Know About Good Shepherd Christmas Eve Services
We've planned.We've prepared.We've prayed.And so we're ready.Here are five things to know about tonight's Christmas Even Worship Gatherings at Good Shepherd:1. We have three identical worship gatherings at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Each service will include rich...
“Kashmir,” Kids Choir, & Conversions: Reflections On A Sunday Morning
So many interesting things happened yesterday that I just want to offer a few observations about them.It really was a head-spinning, mind-blowing, and even face-melting kind of day at Good Shepherd. We pray that in addition to being head-spinning, it was also...
Wildest Dreams Week 4 — Dream Come True
My adrenaline has been flowing all week long in anticipation of Dream Come True, the fourth message and worship service in the Wildest Dreams series.Why?Several reasons:1. We will be led in worship by an 80 voice children's choir. This is not a children's...
Staff Christmas Field Trip 2013
Here's a photo of almost all of the GSUMC staff taken yesterday just before we departed for a Christmas Field Trip.What happens on a Christmas Field Trip for Good Shepherd staff?First, I thank God for the good work the staff has done this year and for the fact...
How Did We Ever Get Here?
How did we ever get here?A United Methodist pastor in suburban Philadelphia receives a 30-day suspension for performing a same-gender wedding involving his son and now that the penalty has concluded is challenging the denomination to restore his credentials so he...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Ministry Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Earlier
The end of any year is typically a time to reflect on advances made and lessons learned in the previous twelve months.The end of 2013 is no exception.And on many occasions when we get something right at Good Shepherd, I find myself asking, "Why didn't we do it that...
Psalm 150 Revisited
Last night, my men's LifeGroup concluded its study on Invitation To The Psalms by looking at Psalm 150, the rousing hallelujah that brings the Psalter itself to a close.Here's the ancient text of Psalm 150:Praise the Lord.[a]Praise God in his...
Wildest Dreams, Week 3 — Follow The Dream
There is a world of difference between following your dream and following the dream.This Sunday, you find out what that difference is and why it matters in your life.And you know why I love third Sundays each month? (And this Sunday is a third Sunday.)Because we...
My Mother Met Doris Kearns Goodwin Yesterday
So I'll use the post title for my opening sentence: my mother met Doris Kearns Goodwin yesterday.I suppose on the one hand, that's not so remarkable.Doris Kearns Goodwin is a decorated presidential historian and has published massive biographies of Abraham...