We’ve all been there. Those times when life overwhelms and in response you have to pause … to reflect … to breathe … to regroup. But what kind of group surrounds you when you need to regroup? When life breaks apart, who is there to help you pick up the pieces? How do...
#TBT — May 6, 1984
My college tennis coach, David Benjamin, attached this photo in a recent email. The picture was taken at the opening of the (then) brand new Lenz Tennis Center on Princeton's campus late in my senior year of 1984. What is most surprising about the photo (aside from...
A Good Idea Involving Go Eat Pop Corn
For the last six months, my Men's LifeGroup and I have been reading the same Scripture each morning. After I read the day's segment, I then send an email to all the guys giving some background, context, and insight regarding what we've read. Several of them have told...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Ways Preaching Is Like (And Even Unlike) Tennis
If you have spent any time in this space or if you know me personally, then you're probably aware that two of the strongest passions of my life are preaching and tennis? So: how are these things alike? How are they different? It’s actually something I’ve thought about...
The Fine Art of Belly-Aching, Week 4 — The “When Panic Attacks” Sermon Rewind
Yesterday's message ... Began with the heavy -- and heavily unorthodox -- topic of panic attacks;Dealt with the context that leads up to Habakkuk 3:17-18. Those verses are two of the most thrilling in the biblical library, even moreso when you know the...
Peter, Paul, And Scary
As part of our ongoing series “The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching” we’re encouraging the people of Good Shepherd Church to begin their days in the Word and not in the world. I am devoting this space to reading prompts so that we can resource the same people we encourage....
MORE GETTING CARRIED AWAY WITH PAUL
In 1986, I was in a dark place spiritually. I was living as a mid-80s yuppie, feeling disconnected from any call into ministry, and wondering at times if it wouldn’t just be easier to live without any faith claim at all. Yet prevenient grace intervened. I made friends...
Carried Away With Paul
You're expecting a Top Five Tuesday, but I'm not delivering this time. Instead, I'm getting carried away with Paul. What do I mean by that? Scattered throughout his letters, there are times when Paul becomes so exuberant about the subject at hand that he simply gets...
The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching, Week 3 — The “Who’ll Stop The Rain?” Sermon Rewind
Yesterday's message ... Included moments with both a boomerang and a Better Brella;Recognized the inevitability and the pain of things you just can't keep from happening;Included a subtle "grace travels outside of karma" reference;Pointed out the folly of the "you...
Did He REALLY Say That To Those People?
As part of our ongoing series “The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching” we’re encouraging the people of Good Shepherd to begin their days in the Word and not in the world. I am devoting this space to reading prompts so that we can resource the same people we encourage. This...