Tag: Church
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Coddling Evil
Yesterday, in a brief conversation with a colleague, reflecting on the recent tragedy in our community, she asked, “Why do we coddle evil?”
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What broke him?
Yesterday, Nikolas Cruz entered the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, FL – a school he was expelled from – murdering seventeen innocent victims and injuring at least fourteen others. The press is already reporting there were “red flags” – expulsion, social media posts, strange behaviors, etc. …
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Hoping for the best. Prepared for the worst. Praying, no matter what happens.
All we can do, now, is wait. Hurricane Irma – a historically strong, potentially-catastrophe-causing storm – is heading this way. All forecasts indicate that Southeast Florida, where I live, is very likely the target. Maybe not. Likely so. For now, all we can do is wait We’ve purchased hurricane supplies.…
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Children’s Ministry Sermon – preached at First Church Coral Springs on Sunday, June 12, 2017
I suspect we would all agree that children need Jesus. Adults need Jesus. Everyone needs Jesus. But, the earlier we can introduce a child to Jesus, the earlier we can begin to develop solid spiritual foundations for the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face as adults. There is an…
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“Love Transforms” – the 5th and last sermon of a series called, “We Love First,” preached on May 28th, 2017 at First Church Coral Springs
Do we Really Believe This Stuff? During Lent our theme was “Restoration.” We talked each week about how God can restore what is broken. Throughout Lent, as I prepared for each sermon, I found myself asking, week-by-week, “Do I really believe this stuff?” Do I really believe God can fix…
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“Love Shares” – the 4th message in a 5-week sermon series called, “We Love First,” preached on May 21, 2017, at First Church Coral Springs
In 1999, my family was sent to Port St. Lucie, Florida to start a new United Methodist Church. I had dreamed of starting a new church, and had spent the previous year planning. Though I didn’t know a single person in Port St. Lucie,…
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Character Development vs. Sin Management
Last night was my weekly Bible Study. Our focus was chapters 46 and 47 of Genesis, and specifically on Joseph. Joseph is often considered an example of great character and integrity, standing strong in the face of betrayal, temptation, false accusation, and hopeless circumstances. And, yet, by chapter 47, Joseph seems…
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Cogs, Machines, People and Pastors
I’m a United Methodist Pastor. At ordination, I submitted to the authority of a bishop, to go where I am sent to serve. In some denominations, pastors decide for themselves whether or not to accept a “call” to serve a particular church or to live in a particular locale. Not so…
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Pre-Easter Pondering
I know it’s not Easter yet. Easter is still a few days away. Before Easter, we still have Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We can’t just skip to Easter, bypassing all that led to Easter. But, Easter is on my mind – probably because it’s the biggest…
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Home
The home, pictured above, is the setting of two of my favorite movies – “Father of the Bride” and “Father of the Bride, II.” It is the movie-home of the fictional Banks family, where George and Nina Banks lovingly raised their three children – including late night one-on-one basketball games…
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