Jonah

I am going to preach on Jonah this weekend. I heard an awesome sermon this week at Goodson Chapel on Jonah ----- in the sermon the preacher talked about being crazy as Christians. Crazy like Jonah ----- walk out of a whale and preach repentance. The amazing thing is that Jonah even did this with a bad attitude. And still God used that to save a whole city. How are we living out our faith ----- are we willing to be crazy enough to obey what God has told us to do?

Okay, so this is just fun

Shane Claiborne

I wanted to share with all of you that Shane Claiborne is coming to speak at Duke Divinity School today. He is the author of the Irresistible Revolution. He also helped found the New Monasticism in Philadelphia, PA. I am excited about hearing what he has to say because he is going to speak about leadership [which I was not expecting him to speak on]. I will give you an update tomorrow on what he has to say, I just thought I would give you a heads up.

Antioch

I have been reading Acts 11 and I have noticed that the city of Antioch was very important for the early Church's idea of missions. And something has struck me ---- and that is Acts 11.26: "and when he [Barnabas] had found him [Saul], he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians.'" It is worth noting that the first time the word Christian is used is here in Antioch. While at the same time this is the place where they sent out Barnabas and Saul in mission to the Gentiles (Acts 13). I thought I would think about this out loud with you. What do you all think?

Discipleship

I am reading this great book called Transforming Mission by David J. Bosch. I have to share with you this quote: "Every disciple follows the master, but never alone; every disciple is a member of the fellowship of disciples, the body, or no disciple at all." One interesting thing that I have noticed in the last year is people that talk of being committed Christians ---- but they are unwilling to worship together with Christians. I would love to hear what you all think of that behavior. What do you think?

Snow

I just realized I haven't posted in a week. What has happened? Well ----- I am at Duke's library reading for hours on end. And outside is snow. And I know that my kids are probably having a ball at home running through the snow and making snow angels. I hope all of you are able to go and play in the snow. I do get to go and play tonight though. I am going to the Duke and NC State basketball game tonight. Yes, if you haven't figured out I am one of those Cameron Crazies that they talk about.Go Duke. Hope you all have fun in the snow.

Since it didn't snow.....

Here is a video from our vacation. Since it didn't snow we took advantage of the wet grass.

Godspell

This last Sunday I used the musical Godspell in my sermon, so I thought I would link you to a clip from the movie so you could see the high energy of the beginning scene. Here it is. Enjoy!!!

Baptism

Baptism in the Church is my favorite service. A baptism service is the most awesome experience where one is initiated into Christ's Church. I love it and every time I see a baptism it is like my spiritual energies are recharged. I was wondering what you all think about baptisms? Tell me what means the most to you about baptism?

Everything

This was a skit that the youth saw at Pilgrimage this last year. Here is one that a friend of mine found on Youtube. I wept when I saw it at Pilgrimage and I wept again when I saw it this morning. Jesus truly makes all things new.

Skiing

We did get to go skiing one day while we were on vacation. My Dad got to go with us this year and we had a blast. The kids really did well and next year we will have my youngest going with us as well. I didn't get to go skiing the next day because it ended up raining all day. But, we still had a great time.

First part of our vacation

The first part of our vacation included a visit to Charlotte, NC. In Charlotte we got to say good-bye to be my brother. He is in the National Guard and his unit has been called up. I will truly miss him, as he will be gone for a year ----- but I know that it is because of wonderful men and women like him, that we get to enjoy the freedoms we do have. We are now in Boone, NC and it snowed this morning. I hope the skiing will be good.