Ambassador Focus Intro
The Necessity of Juneteenth
Several years ago, my family and I attended our first Juneteenth Festival in the small town where we lived. I’m both proud and a bit ashamed to share that. Let me explain. Admittedly, and probably like other white people, I was unfamiliar with the history and significance of this annual celebration and commemoration for much of my …
When the earth and its people quake…
A reflection on Psalm 75:3 and Micah 6:8 https://vimeo.com/428497174
There is a time…to speak
This appeared first at Facebook.com/WestoverChurch on June 2, 2020 “There is a time for everything,” the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3; “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Sadly, Christians and churches have too often chosen to remain silent in matters of racial injustice and systemic racism, and tragically, the Gospel that …
A Reconciling People
A Church's Response to the death of Ahmaud Arbery
Embracing the Darkness
While Holy Week is typically recognized by days such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, there is one particular day that doesn't quite get the attention it probably deserves - in particular, the day between the Cross of Good Friday and the Empty Tomb of Resurrection Sunday, otherwise known as 'Holy Saturday,' This post explores the significance of darkness, symbolized with the tomb. When we learn to embrace the darkness, the light of resurrection becomes that much brighter.
An Acceptable Fast
A reflection on Lent through Isaiah 58. There is a difference between an acceptable fast and fasting for self-gain. Don't waste your fast!
Radiance & Goodness
A lesson on radiance, goodness and the glory of God from Psalm 34. Where you find goodness, you find the glory of God. Taste and see that the Lord indeed is good!
Rehoboth
Shovels, Wells & Wide-Open Spaces.
One Word, One Year
January 1, 2018 What's Your One Word for 2018? The beginning of a New Year marks the time when many people make goals (or resolutions) for areas of their lives they would like to see or experience change. According to Barna Research Group, nearly two-thirds of American's make New Year's resolutions, but only 20% report …
Specks and Planks
Sermon from March 17, 2019 at Integrity Church in Burlington on Matthew 7:1:6. While Jesus warns against judging others, He does not forbid all forms of judgement. "Don't be so critical, but be a little critical." https://youtu.be/zeQPMDTFYfQ
When Storms Approach
I've lost count of how many times I've heard the word 'catastrophic' these last several days, specifically related to the imminent flooding that's expected to begin today and persist over the coming days, starting on the NC/SC coastline. While Hurricane Florence has weakened over the last 24 hours, forecasters, state and local officials, emergency responders, and disaster response …
Rosh Hashanah
First published: September 7, 2018 Days of Awe Depending on which calendar(s) you may use, whether print or digital, perhaps you've noticed a day coming up next Monday, September 10th called Rosh Hashanah. (I use a combination of Apple and Google Calendar, by the way, which I don't know how I would survive without!) It's kind of …
Labor Day…and an 11-month memory
How many of us have ever heard the of having an 11-month memory? It refers to the tendency to remember things more recent while tending to forgetting things longer ago. The idea goes that while some of us can easily recall what we did, say, for Christmas last year, fewer of us can recall what we were doing …
Neighboring
During a conversation over coffee yesterday with a friend, he asked why things like missional living, neighboring, being a student of the community where we live, collaborative partnerships, racial reconciliation, foster care and adoption, serving the poor, hospitality and expanding our relational capacity to include people across ethnic, socio-economic and generational lines into gospel-centered community were all so important to me personally. I thought …
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
August 3, 2018 After having several people recommend it to me in recent weeks, I finally went to see the movie, Won’t You Be My Neighbor - a documentary on the life and work of Fred Rogers; a man who is perhaps better known by many as Mr. Rogers. Besides the awkwardness of inviting someone (besides my …
Local Knowledge
A couple of years ago, one of our covenant members asked me to be a reference for a program she was applying for called Leadership Rowan. After looking more into the program, I decided not only to serve as a reference, but to also apply myself. Several of you may be familiar with or have …
A Church of Irresistible Influence
Almost two years go, we appointed a team of people among our church family to spearhead our missional reach as a church, both locally and internationally. Our Missions Team has since been working to help deepen relationship with our ministry partners, while mobilizing both covenant members, attenders and guests to be living expressions of the love of Christ by serving …
Freedom Carries Responsibility
The late English writer, journalist, philosopher and theologian, G.K. Chesterton once wrote, "America is the only country ever founded on a creed." The creed he was referring to is found in the first line of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, which states the following: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are …
The Back of God
In Exodus 33, we find an interesting interaction between Moses and God (as if each interaction isn't already interesting enough!). In verse 18, Moses makes a rather odd but direct request of God; "...show me your glory." It's an oddrequest only when you consider all that Moses has seen and experienced up to this point. But Moses …
A Contemplative Life 