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...
A New Look At An Old Sin
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...
A Terrific New Song — And A Sobering Sign Of Old Age
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...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Reasons Why I Am Not A Progressive Methodist
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...
When A Wall Of Complaint = A Wall Of Praise
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...
Week In Review; Sunday In Preview
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...
A Big Church . . . Or Something Else?
During our most recent Next Step group, a woman made the most interesting observation about Good Shepherd:This is not a big church. It's a church where a lot of people belong.And I did what I always do in a situation like that: exclaimed "that will...
A Theology Of Masturbation
Yes, you read the post title correctly.I remember the time in seminary when one of our professors quipped, "Masturbation is the opposite of the weather. With the weather, everyone discusses it, but no one can actually do anything about it . With...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Rock Love Songs
In honor of this week's Valentine's Celebration, my Top Five Tuesday returns to music and, more specifically, to rock's love songs.Ever since the Beatles sang "I Want To Hold Your Hand" rock music and romantic love have been closely connected.They weren't always...
Words In The Family
As I posted on Friday, I spent the first part of the weekend in Austin, Texas where my 97-year-old mother Betty Davis presented the first-ever Betty X. Davis Award For Young Writers Of Merit.The gala was all part of a writer's conference hosted by the Austin...