How many times have you heard advice like: “Don’t dwell in the past. Don’t look too much to the future. Just enjoy the ride where you are?” These are words that wise ones like to offer us, especially if we find ourselves in a life funk. We’re told that the present moment is all we have! …
life
Why are the Hagans Leaving Feed the Children?
Choose Life: Deuteronomy 30:15-31:6 A sermon preached to staff and children at Feed the Children Kenya, May 6, 2015 When we wake up in the morning, no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have choices. For example: we can choose to eat the breakfast put before us or not eat anything …
Find Out Who You Are: Quit Your Job!
In December 2012, I quit my job. I didn’t have another one to go to. And though there were lots of extenuating circumstances that led me to believe that I knew what would be next– at heart I really didn’t have a plan. It was very UNLIKE me. All I knew was that Kevin could …
How Do You Know God’s Plans For Your Life?
As I’m getting back in the swing of the more structured pastoral life again, I am beginning to engage in conversations with folks that sound a lot like this: “How do I know God’s will for my life?” or “How can I know what God wants me to do?” When I get asked questions like …
If I Were Preaching Easter
Every year when I was a preaching pastor, I felt the anxiety rise the closer we got to Easter Sunday morning. The expectations. The crowds. The desire of the people to hear something new and meaningful. Though I had a mentor once tell me don’t sweat it, just tell the story. The problem is that …
When Life Happens
Life. It is always happening. Sometimes it’s great. Other times it is not. And today I am wondering about existing when things aren’t well. How do you go on when we are very aware that life’s broken edges cracked parts of you that might never be repaired? How do you keep breathing when everything in …
When Calling Takes You Outside the Church PART ONE
I was taught in seminary that the most virtuous thing you can do for your whole life is to serve the church with an undivided heart. “The church needs you!” my classmates and I were told over and over again. Sometimes our instructions included more details like this: “Take care of the church like nothing …
I Want to Know Christ
I Want to Know Christ Philippians 3:7-11 Preached: August 11, 2013, Martin Luther King Christian Church, Reston, VA I always knew when I was younger that one day I’d want to be married. I would want to have a life partner—someone in whom I could share in all of life’s most memorable moments with and …
Saturday Thoughts About Life
Some words of wisdom for the weekend taken from Mother Teresa. What are you doing today to enjoy life? “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. …
How to Wreck Your Life: Live in the Past . . . or in the Future
How to Wreck Your Life Series Live in the Past . . . Or in the Future Luke 4:14-21 with Isaiah 43:16-21 Guest Preacher at Idylwood Presbyterian Church, Falls Church, VA When your pastor, MaryAnn asked me several weeks ago to share this time of worship with you this morning, I was delighted for the …
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Love, Christians and Those Who Might Call us Crazy
When is the last time you encountered a person of faith, in particular a Christian who was engaging in particular activities one might call “crazy?” I know I’ve met my share of over the top loving kind of Christians through the years being in church as long as I have. I’ve met Christians who follow …
By Faith We Go On
By Faith We Go On: Hebrews 12:1-2, 8-12 Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church 30th Anniversary Service & Joint Service with Washington Plaza Baptist Church Now, I know that some in the congregation this morning, get to hear me talk more than they might like– as I preach every Sunday– but for the rest of …
