If it's early August, that means that the best junior tennis players in the USA have converged on Kalamazoo, Michigan for the US National Boys' 18 and Boys' 16 and Under Championships. Which takes me back forty years ago to when I was seeded 13th in the Boys' 16...
In her memoir Priestdaddy, Patricia Lockwood has this moment of self-awareness: I consider myself on an anthropological mission, much like Margaret Mead. I have discovered that this makes almost anything bearable – it would have been such a salvation in my childhood...
I love reading and I love sports. So combine the two and VOILA! Sports books. I read them whenever I can. So here are my Top Five Sports Books of all time: 5. Instant Replay by Jerry Kramer. One of the first "behind the scenes" look at modern pro sports, this one is...
I honestly don't know how you can preach on Esther without being an English major. Now: I know it's done and done well. But I also know that I couldn't preach on this enigmatic little book without dwelling on the ironies, reversals, coincidences, and perfect timing. ...
So we wind up #BehindTheScenes this Sunday with a message called "The Worst Laid Plans." Together we'll see how our arranging God builds a series of reversal, coincidences, and "just happen to's" into the narrative of Esther. And we'll see how Haman's plans for...
Meaning, there's a reason in addition to the simple truth that the bible is, in fact, a library. But when you realize it is a library, you are better able to read and interpret it literarily. I say that in contrast to the age-old and nonsensical question: Do you...
Scott Hughes, the host of Small Groups in the Wesleyan Way Podcast, recently interviewed me on the topic of the small group ministry model. After sharing information about our most active and most enduring groups at Good Shepherd and the latest G3 approach, I realized...
I just returned from a week long Student Mission Trip with Carolina Cross Connection. The week was filled with home repair work during the day and then spiritual encounters around the campfire by night. This was my 10th year with CCC (seven at Mt. Carmel UMC during...
Yesterday's message ... Began with one of the most enduring images from Davis family lore; Celebrated the ways that the literary choices and narrative technique of Esther's author make all the difference in the meaning of the passage; Included another teaching moment...
Through the years, as I have listened to Conference speakers talk about such subjects as avoiding burnout, staff relationships, and time management, a question kept running through my mind: Is what it took to get us where we are what it will take to get us where we...