The book caught my eye. When I am in the local bookstore, I often check out the best-sellers shelf. Not only do I look for something that I might want to read, I want to know what everyone else is reading as well. The book I saw concerned me. It had a quasi-shiny silver cover with a simple, unambiguous title. Written by Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion details the rants and raves of a militant atheist against organized religion. It was one that I really didn’t want to read. But I felt obligated Read more [...]

God will humble you in an extraordinary ways. He can take your worldly trophies and smash them to dust. My pride crumbles more in nursing homes than in any other place. As a pastor I try to visit from time to time church members who no longer can take good care of themselves. I have a few people in my church spiritually gifted with encouragement, and they usually accompany me.   I recently stopped by a couple of nursing homes with Tom. I always balk at the outside door, pausing to look and the green Read more [...]

My wife and I are fundamentally different. Insightful to you all, yes I know. But beyond the obvious differences, we think differently. Nowhere is this difference more obvious than in our car rides together. I’m usually driving because I’m a control freak. She’s gracious enough to let me – given our driving records (hers is impeccable; mine pushes the envelope of being insurable), she should probably be the one behind the wheel. While driving we have these long periods of silence as both Read more [...]

I must reluctantly admit that my associate pastor is a genius. Since he is a University of Tennessee fan (his office is a hideous and unsanctified shade of orange), it pains me to say it. But he truly is a man of great ideas.   At our staff meeting a couple of weeks ago, I was making the challenge that we needed a big victory for our Easter Service. We were trying to figure out the best way to reach not only the Christmas and Easter crowd, but also those in our community who never step foot inside Read more [...]

My little brother is getting married in June. In fact, there are three brothers in the family and all of us will have gotten married within 12 months of each other. Art was married last June. I was married in December. Jess, the baby, is the last to go this June. Honestly, it’s kinda weird to see my littlest brother grow up. My brothers and I look somewhat alike, but we all have very different personalities. I can be a bit more controlling. Art is more laid back. And Jess is a bit more daring. Read more [...]