One day this weekend, Julie and I heard There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney.While I like that song, Julie loves it. It never fails to make her cry -- she sees our now grown daughter in the story, reflects back on 24 years, and loses it. I stand by,...
Wash Me! Launch — The Works. A Sermon That Speaks Of Sin, Salvation, And Even Pokes Some Fun At Methodism
I have been excited about the opening of the Wash Me! series since I first began working on the messages a few weeks ago.In particular, I liked the first message called The Works. (Get it? Like in a car wash where you punch in the code for the most deluxe...
Wash Me! Launch — The Works
Wash Me! If cars can say it, why can’t people?We all have areas in our lives we need cleaned up. Some people would label those places under the category of needs improvement. Others might call them sin. Still others might call them character defects. However you refer...
Conversion Or Childhood?
I've been wrestling with a vexing question recently:Which has a greater impact on a person's life as an adult: a dramatic spiritual conversion or the residual effect of their childhood?Here's what I mean. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul makes one of the most...
The Power Of Showing Up
Here's the skill set I needed earlier this week for my most impactful ministry moments since Easter: The ability to drive. A sense of direction. The patience to sit for an hour.I didn't have to go to seminary for any of those. Not...
Top Five Tuesday — My Top Five Motion Picture Comedies
In the churches of the Eastern -- Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and the like -- the day after Easter is historically a time to tell jokes.Why? Because in the Resurrection, God has the last laugh on Satan. You can read about the custom here.So that set...
A Sermon Where We See The “Walk To Emmaus” Isn’t Nearly As Important As The “Run From Emmaus”
My Easter sermon -- given five times over the span of 18 hours -- took a different look at what to many folks is a familiar story: The Road To Emmaus.At least, that's what the heading over Luke 24:13-35 says the story is about in my nifty NIV Large Print...
Easter Services
As we prepare for this Holy Weekend, we want to give you another reminder of the Good Shepherd Schedule for the next several days: Good Friday Friday: 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Service with reflective music, visual imagery, holy communion, and a meditation by...
A Perfect Thought For Resurrection Week
Pastor John Ortberg puts it this way:Wise people build their lives around what is eternal and squeeze in what is temporary. Not the other way around.Can't add to or improve upon that.
Full Circle Food Story In The News
This story appeared in a recent edition of the Charlotte Observer. You'll love how it demonstrates what it means to be a full color church engaging in Radical Impact Projects.Packaged meals come full circle for refugee in Charlotte - COURTESY OF THE REV....