This past Tuesday night, our very own James-Michael Smith held the opening session of our Fall Bible Class, Let's Talk About Sex. Many of you know that I believe JM is one of the finest bible teachers around, and that in fact his own scholarship has greatly influenced...
Methodist Enough?
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a fellow United Methodist pastor who reminded me that she had been on the denominational building committee which approved the final drawings for Good Shepherd’s current Worship Center. (That’s denominational policy, by the way...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Reasons I’m Not Getting A 2016 Nissan Maxima
This commercial highlighting the 2016 Nissan Maxima played all weekend long on ESPN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr_84x9XJoE As the owner of a 2009 Maxima, I am sorely tempted each time I see that ad. (After all, isn't that what advertisements are supposed...
Inspired By Fred Craddock, Involving 7th Grade Basketball, Inverting A Well Known Saying: The “Only Human” Sermon Rewind
A few years ago, while reading The Collected Sermons Of Frederick B. Craddock, I ran into a fascinating question: "if we're 'only human' when we get things wrong, what were we all the times we got them right?'" I knew right then I had a sermon -- and a series. ...
Only Human Launch — “Only Human”
What if we didn't want to become less human, but more so? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6LFnIi09ps It starts with a message called "Only Human" -- sort of like the title song of a music album. Sunday. 8:30. 10. 11:30.
Series Idea From A 12 Year Old
I received this Connection Card note from a 12-year-old member of the Good Shepherd family on Monday: Sounds like marching orders, doesn't it? And how great that on Monday, while at school, she is thinking of . . . sermon series?! Inviting all...
How Something That Sounds So Sweet Can Be So Wrong
(Thanks to my men's LifeGroup for the ideas that follow.) "In The Garden" is one of the best-loved American hymns of the 20th Century. Back in my Mt. Carmel days, I well remember saying, "Turn to #314 in your hymnal and let's stand and sing 'In The Garden.'"...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Top Fives
Guest blogger Tina Williamson put this together:
The “Mad About You” Sermon Rewind
So we said farewell yesterday to one of my favorite all-time series, Mad People Disease. But it went out with a flourish, addressing the issue of what do you do when the one you're mad at is you? The answer drew from Isaiah 6:5, Romans 8:38-39, and even Psalm...
Mad People Disease, Week 6 — “Mad About You”
It's not the end of the world. But it is the end of what has quite likely been my favorite series of all time, Mad People Disease. It's not my favorite because of the great art. It's not my favorite because of the because of the unforgettable video....