I travel a lot these days to hug children, to greet staff and to write stories about how Feed the Children’s donors are helping kids have clean water, access to education and more sustainable food sources around the world. Sometimes, I wake up not knowing where I am! But when I figure it out, I …
change
Afraid of Change
While recently attending a writing workshop, the presenter offered some advice that hasn’t left me since I first heard it. “If you want to write well, if you want to connect with your audience,” she offered, “You always must tell the truth. There’s nothing that can spoil a good story faster than a character who …
Not That Kind of Christian Part 1
I grew up in an evangelical, Bible-belt household. I was taught that females shouldn’t lead churches (though being international missionaries was ok– out of sight out of mind). I was taught that being gay was a sin. I was taught that the Bible was the infallible word of God. To be angry with how Paul …
Not Afraid Anymore
As you might imagine with my days in local church pastor land drawing to a close, I’ve had a lot of packing to do. I’ve been sorting through books, papers and sermon files over the past several days. And in doing so, I’ve discovered all sorts of treasures, as you usually do when you begin to …
Grief and Transition
November 18, 2012 Dear Washington Plaza Church family: I come before you this morning with a heavy heart. It’s heavy because I have news to share with you that has caused me a great deal of sadness as I have thought and prayed and discerned. I need to tell you that I am sharing this …
Are Times Changing in the SBC?
Yesterday, I got the word via twitter that Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Ave Baptist Church became President of the Southern Baptist Convention, elected at their annual meeting this week. Such is a fact that I normally would not pay any attention to (I’ve long left my SBC roots since the day I felt a call to …
When the World Doesn’t Look the Same
When the World Doesn’t Look the Same Easter 2012: Mark 16:1-8 I don’t know if you are like me, but when I make my choices in entertainment, especially in movies, one of my favorite weekend pastimes, there is only major requirement I have. And that is: I like a good endings. I hope for loose …
Book Review Week: In the Sanctuary of Outcasts
Are you sensing a theme? I love non-fiction. So, up today is another memoir that I recently stumbled upon when browsing a bookstore: Neil White’s tale of his prison experience alongside a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana. I’ve always been fascinated memoirs, letters or other writings made by folks in prison as it usually describes …
I Know How You Feel: A White House Visit Reflection
“Will you please make my life better NOW?” Being a pastor, as many of us know, is a “one size fits all” kind of job filled with lots of expectations placed on our shoulders from many. People certainly want happier lives all the time. And because of this human condition, it is not unusual that we are …
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What’s All the Fuzz About? Lent
Here we are, already deep into Lent preparing for the second Sunday of the season this week. Yes, even Baptists (at least some of us) celebrate it too. Is Lent all about just giving something up and not cheating? Is Lent just about restraining words of exclamation, “Allueias” in worship? Is Lent just a time …
Letting Go
When I first arrived on the scene as Pastor of Washington Plaza almost three years ago now, I was handed a stack of files to read to get to know the church a little better. Though a common practice– often it is what occurs with any professional during their first week of work at any …
