Rustlings

I am looking forward to catching up with you this Sunday morning! While I know many of you will be on vacation or attending prior engagements, I’m hoping the vast majority of you will be in worship Sunday. Returning to the office last week was pure joy. I can’t...

Although I feel a little crazy for doing it, I thought this day might come—the day I become a student again! In August, I’ll begin my Doctor of Ministry at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, part of Emory University. The program is built for those who work in...

The traffic going to the beach was awful. The traffic coming home was just as bad. The license plates around us on I-26 were from Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Florida, California, New York… Not every person caught COVID-19, but Cabin Fever seems to have gotten to...

In Mark 6, Jesus directs his disciples to go out into the countryside “two by two” (a phrase that immediately triggers the song from 2011 Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon, to play in my head) to heal people and preach repentance. He instructs them to be as...

Families are like fudge—mostly sweet, with a few nuts.—Les Dawson If minutes were kept of a family gathering, they would show that members not present and subjects discussed were one and the same.—Robert Brault Family is a blessing. Just keep saying that when you are...

Saturday morning, three of our families experienced one of the worst tragedies in recent memory as a car suddenly and inexplicably swerved across oncoming traffic to take the life of their beloved wife and mother, daughter and sister, aunt and cousin… Brittany was...

The struggles of life are real. We’ve all felt them. I’m feeling them this week. After a series of tests and consultations, I have been scheduled for bypass surgery on Tuesday, May 25. I’ve been on life’s emotional roller coaster all week. You know the feeling. Most...

There will be fire. One of the greatest blessings of reunited worship is the leadership of our children. During the strictest COVID-19 protocols, our sanctuary was filled with cameras, cables, microphones, and a handful of ministers…but no children. It has been...

The promises have been kept. The promise will be kept for many more years to come. A couple of decades ago (give or take a few years), your parents carried you across the threshold of the church narthex—maybe for the first time. You were donned in a family christening...

“If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”—2 Kings 5:13 Naaman, the commander of the armies of Israel under King Aram, had contracted leprosy. He implored...

Rogers and Hammerstein, Elvis Presley, The Mamas and the Papas, The Cranberries, The Everly Brothers, Gary Wright, and many other musical artists have given us music about dreams. I guess my favorite is voiced by Fleetwood Mac, “Now here you go again, you say you want...

The doors were open Sunday morning. People were in the pews. We heard the whispers of: “And also with you,” “Thanks be to God,” and even the Doxology! We were celebrative—but careful. Welcoming each other to our Sanctuary paves the way for welcoming our guests....

Often, many of you tell me, “If you need anything, just let me know.” I know these words are heartfelt…and you probably know I won’t ask unless it’s a real need. Today, I’m asking three easy favors of you. First, please share a word of gratitude to our Technical...

YouTube has become the new DIY (Do It Yourself) manual. In my early days of playing bass guitar, I accessed tutorial videos on YouTube to learn songs like “I Want You Back,” “Red House,” “The Weight,” “Girl from Ipanema” and “Silly Love Songs.” I have a friend who...