Stuff in My Head
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Virginia Tech Tragedy
What happened at Virginia Tech is so sad. I don’t feel up to the task of going on about the conditions of society or who messed up or any of that stuff that bloggers are expected to do. My heart just hurts for those victims and their families. So heart breaking. Let’s remember them in… Continue reading
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Clutter Must Die
Clutter is like dust. I have trouble preventing its accumulation. A while back I read Little House on the Prairie, and I was struck by how simple their stuff was. They didn’t have much–only the things that really mattered. I mean, for Christmas one year, the kids each got their own drinking cup. That’s pretty… Continue reading
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My (Probably) Last SonRise Sermon
This morning I’m preaching what is likely to be my last sermon at SonRise Church for a while. It’s kind of funny–my first sermon at SonRise, before I came on staff, was the week after Easter (in 2004). My last sermon at SonRise, after leaving the staff, is also the week after Easter. So it’s… Continue reading
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Lessons from Preaching: Interacting With Your Listeners
In my preaching, I’ve learned a lot of things the hard way: through experience. I keep a running file of mistakes I make in preaching and what I’ve learned from them. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned about crowd interaction while preaching: (1) Since people’s thoughts are guided by associations, be highly selective in… Continue reading
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Good Friday?
Today is Good Friday. Kind of ironic to call it that. I’ve always found the day to have mixed emotions: it’s good for those who benefit from Christ’s death, but how horrible an experience for Him to endure! Calling it “Good Friday” just seems kind of… well… selfish. How ’bout we call Easter “Good Sunday”… Continue reading
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Station 7
Last Friday Carolyn and I finally ate at Station 7, the new firehouse-themed restaurant in Pittsville. Wow–I’m definitely going to be a regular! Station 7 (the restaurant) is actually at what was once Station 7 (the firehouse). If I remember right, it was built in 1929 and you can tell it’s a firehouse. They have… Continue reading
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Top 10 Random Thoughts About Church Ministry
(10) Sunday morning is absolutely the most grueling time of the week for me. On Sunday afternoons I feel like an athlete after a highly competitive contest. (9) You hear a lot about how people no longer respect clergy. I’m sure that’s often true, but in my experience, I’ve found that many people still attach… Continue reading
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Strange Hinges
This is weird. Today I cleaned out my office. Blank walls are looking at me. I still have to come in this week to tie up some loose ends, but I can come in whenever I want. It feels strange. Today was my last staff meeting. Transitions are odd times. Things like empty walls and… Continue reading
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Sayonora, Ciao, Adios, and Catch Ya on the Flip Side
Yesterday at SonRise we wrapped up our series “Just Walk Across the Room.” Pastor Daryl did a great job bringing us a powerful message. You can check out the podcast when it comes up later this week. However, Daryl and Jenna both teamed up to embarrass me, and did a pretty good job of it. … Continue reading
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La Tolteca (Whatever That Means)
There’s no replacement for Tex-Mex food. None. If you want the best Mexican food on the planet, you simply have to go to Texas or my mom’s kitchen. But if you live on the Eastern Shore, a tasty alternative is available. The best Mexican restaurant on the Shore–and I’ve been to many–is easily, hands-down La… Continue reading
Surfing the Inner N8 