Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Things I’ve Never Done

I've been able to do a lot in my life.I've been to Australia.  I've lived in Texas, New Jersey, Kentucky, and North Carolina.  I won some tennis matches that mattered.  I've been able to pastor among some terrific people.  This summer, I even...

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You Did It, Good Shepherd

Yesterday's Charlotte Observer contained this article on the Hope House, the home the people of Good Shepherd bought, renovated, and then gifted to On Eagles' Wings Ministry for use in the rescue and restoration of under-age girls victimized by the domestic sex...

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Not A Fan, Week 2 — What A Mess

So it's Week 2 of a series that's off to a really good start around here:  Not A Fan.Already, more of the people of this church are opening up Scripture, signing up to serve, and preparing to lift up their hearts to the Lord in praise on Sunday.Which we'll need...

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I Love It When A Plan Comes Together . . .

In introducing the Not A Fan series, we wanted to give the people of the church some concrete next steps.  After all, what's the point of getting people motivated on a Sunday with no tangible way to respond on Monday?And in particular, I wanted to offer a great...

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Double Takes

In the last several days, I have seen, heard, read, and experienced some things that have caused me to do a double take.As in:  "did I really just see that, hear that, read that, or experience that?"  So I look again.These double takes involve moments from...

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Groaning Methodists

My cyber-friend John Meunier, a UM pastor serving in Indiana, offered these historical insights recently:   ‘Worship him by grunts and groans’ Virginia deist John Symmes was typical of many of the leading men of the American founding. Author Adam...

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Not A Fan Launch — D.T.R.

Jesus sure has a lot of fans, doesn’t he?  People who want to be close enough to him to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires sacrifice.Fans may be fine with repeating a prayer, attending church, and putting a Jesus fish on their bumpers. ...

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The Bible Wasn’t Written TO You

It was written to the Israelites.It was written to the church in Ephesus.It was written to Matthew's community of Jesus-followers who had started life as Torah-observers.It was written to John's community of beleagured, persecuted, and endangered Christians.It was...

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Have You Ever Wondered . . .

Some things I've been wondering recently . . . Will the University of North Carolina ever be good at football?Will Alabama ever be good at basketball?Why would someone ever smoke in an airplane lavatory?  The signs telling you NOT TO are there because someone...

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