In the column on ENCOURAGEMENT last week, I said this: ”It looks as if we’re finally beginning to recognize that Christianity is about following the WAY of Jesus.” I’m surprised that no one disagreed or even questioned what I meant. For me, discovering this great truth has changed practically everything. Marcus Borg tells of being on [...]
It is not my intention to use the blog to brag (I love the alliteration), but I would like to spend a day extolling the virtues of my Sunday School class. I started the class a couple of years ago specifically for people who want to have their faith stretched and challenged by progressive theology. [...]
When I preached at Friendship UMC 2 weeks ago, I took with me what I think is my best sermon. Ben Loftis asked me, “how do you know it’s your best?” which is a very good question. I think what makes “The Prodigal God” my best sermon is that if I had one last sermon [...]
First, I’m pleased to tell you that we were able to give the Winchell family over $1000 for their immediate expenses after fire consumed their home on Tuesday of this week. Their needs will be ongoing, and we will let you know of other ways we can help them to get reestablished. They continue to [...]
These are the books that have most influenced my thinking and my behavior, and helped me most in my attempt to follow the way of Jesus: 1. Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, John Shelby Spong 2. The Christian Agnostic, Leslie Weatherhead 3. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg 4. If Grace [...]
These novels have deeply spiritual themes, and in reading them, I often heard the Holy Spirit speaking to me. 1. East of Eden, John Steinbeck 2. The Vicar of Christ, Walter Murphy 3. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson 4. Beach Music, Pat Conroy 5. Glittering Images, Susan Howatch
Dear fellow bloggers: I need your help. This Sunday I am preaching a sermon about heaven. It will be my first on the subject ever. Not only have I never preached on heaven, I’ve never even had the desire to do so before now! I’m amazed at how little the Bible has to say about [...]
I had the privilege this morning of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winchell (yes, the name is famous, but they’re not THAT Winchell). You may have heard of them. Yesterday, they made a short trip from Union Grove to Wilkesboro, and while they were gone, their home burned to the ground. Two parents and three children suddenly [...]
I am just about finished with Peter Gomes’ latest book, The Scandalous gospel of Jesus. I will heartily recommend it to you. Gomes, as many of you know, is a best-selling author, as well as being professor of Christian morals at Harvard and minister of the Memorial Church there. Many things struck me as I [...]
The Bible has much to say about encouragement, my favorite verse being this from Paul: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” (I Thes. 5:11) I have been greatly encouraged lately by the words of three men who have made outstanding progress in their theology and practice. Brian [...]
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