. . . 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...

I can't wait for this Sunday.Two reasons.  First, we begin Christmas On Memory Lane, a series of messages, music, and dramatic pieces that has me genuinely excited.  I like the cover art very much as well:Here's a summary of where the series is...

Reading The Collected Sermons Of Fred B. Craddock has been a revelation.Now: I like reading sermons.  I enjoy seeing on paper (or on screen, for that matter) how a preacher arranges his material and builds his argument.But I love reading these sermons.  I...

Timothy Tennent has done a great favor to those who believe in sexual orthodoxy* with his cogent answer to the charge:  "why do you evangelicals single out homosexuality?"Here's a portion of his reply:However, the reason the issue of homosexuality...

What most people call coincidences -- or, in this case, non-coincidental coincidences -- we Methodists call prevenient grace.Whatever you call it, we've had it in abundance over the last ten years or so as we have expanded our Latino ministry.  That expansion all...