I am loving the "Missing Peace" series. We had a strong start on January 5, and then Devin Tharp took the series to a whole nother level last Sunday. And then this coming Sunday, January 19, includes a section of Scripture I am eager to explore with you and a bottom...
A Quick Way To Avoid Relational Pain
We've all had it: relational pain. Angry words. Intentional oversight. Passive aggression. Triumphant emails. Ended friendships. Whether you are naturally wired to pursue confrontation or avoid it, the end result is the same -- a relationship that had been at the core...
One Pointed Point Or Many Dull Points?
I still remember my first one point sermon. It was in the fall of 2006, during a series called Freedom, in a message on forgiveness involving Jacob, Esau, and Joseph. It landed here: Forgiveness is learned, so teach it well. I tell you of that sermon from days gone...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five (Or Ten) Reflections On A Week In Prague
Julie and I spent the week of January 6-12 in Prague, the Czech Republic. Why would we go to Prague? In January? To visit with our son Riley and his wife Natalie in the middle of their year-long mission to that Central European country. Riley and Natalie are with Cru...
Guest Blogger Devin Tharp — The “Through It All” Sermon Rewind
While the people of Good Shepherd were worshipping in spirit and truth yesterday, Julie and I were returning from a week in Prague, Czech Republic. Who goes to Prague in January? Empty nesters who are visiting their son and his wife. More on THAT tomorrow, of...
Missing Peace, Week 2 — “Through It All” This Sunday
If you missed last week's launch of the "Missing Peace" series, here's the highlight video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2402600903386971 This week promises to be both relevant and helpful. It's called "Through It All" (Not "Around It All," not "Avoid It...
When You ATTEND A Wedding But Don’t PRESIDE At It
Back on December 28, 2019 (the last decade, depending on how you count it), I attended a wedding at which I did not preside. Huh? Eric Matras, a friend from church, married Angie Wiggins, ANOTHER friend from church. It turns out that Eric didn't want me to be there...
What I Am Looking Forward To On February 4
Check this out: My preacher friend John Franklin Howard very kindly reached out to me, I agreed, he got the Uwharrie District to support it and VOILA! The same day the book releases, I get to lead a group of preachers ... on the contents of the book. I hope the result...
Top Five Tuesday — Five (Or Seven) More Great Dawes Songs
Back in November, I had a blog about my new favorite Band, Dawes, while listing their top five songs. You can read it here. However, in my Dawes' Naivete at the time, I didn't even know they had two additional albums that I had never heard. Now I have. And they're...
Missing Peace, Week 1 — The “The Worst Case Scenario” Sermon Rewind
Yesterday's sermon ... Started a series we're very excited about, as it deals with depression, anxiety, and stress; Led to a song Chris Macedo composed, not even knowing my sermon was about the same subject; Resulted in this bottom line: We want peace as a condition...