It's HARD to stay connected with the congregation and the community during the various Covid shutdowns.  It is especially challenging for our Family Ministries Team, those who minister to parents, children, and volunteers alike. That's why I was pleased to get...

We all have them.  Our favorite songs for each band/artist. In modern terms, our GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) songs from the musicians who have influenced and enriched us. Here's a long list of mine: Led Zeppelin:  Over The Hills & Far Away The Eagles:  Take It To...

Yesterday's message ... Launched a series that was not in my original 2020 sermon planning: "It Runs In The Family."  I figured that this would be a good series of messages to give while families are still in quarantine together; Noted some personal ironies in me...

It Runs In The Family Just think of all the things that run in families. Just think of all the things that run in your family! Skin tone, hair texture, eye color, verbal tics, facial expression, walking styles, high blood pressure, good judgment, male pattern...

Earlier this week, I had a Zoom meeting with a United Methodist colleague in which the topic of conversation was preaching. As part of the Simplify The Message ministry, some of my friends in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference invite me to give guidance to...

In "Just My Luck," a melancholic ballad that revisits a chance encounter with a lost love, the Dawes Band offers this insight: I spend my whole life moving forwards but understand it looking back I am sure I've heard that song dozens of times (the same is true of...

How's that for a title? See, I've been working out at home during the spike in Coronavirus cases.  Although my South Carolina-based Y is open, I haven't felt taking the risk of working out publicly -- according to the experts, it's almost as dangerous as worshipping. ...

Yesterday's message ... Dug into the last words of Paul's last words -- the inspired section in 2 Timothy 4 where declares clearly that his end is nigh; Observed that the world is full of STARTERS but not so full of FINISHERS; In an aside, noted that 2 Timothy 4:3-4...

Back in 2010, I was able to spend a couple of days at the pro tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California.  It's a glorious venue in an idyllic setting, and it's actually the fifth most prestigious tournament in the world after the four Grand Slams. While there I...

... is people not getting any of my books. So my Good Shepherd friends Eric & Angie Matras batted .500 last night in their new home in Lake Wylie, SC.