Whether all my friends agree or not, this was a very good day for America. For that matter, for the rest of the world, whether France, Germany, and Canada (sorry Tim Thompson) agree. And, if anyone gets a copy of the text of the benediction prayer by Kirbyjon Caldwell, let me know. In my alleged … Continue reading A Good Day for America

This excerpt from a wonderful C.S. Lewis collection book, is well worth sharing. Back to The Death of the Church soon, I hope. It is always shocking to meet life where we thought we were alone. "Look out!" we cry, "its alive!" And therefore this is the very point at which so many draw back … Continue reading Supposing We Really Found Him?

While I tend to avoid politically polarizing debates about issues such as abortion (being a good, middle of the road Presbyterian fellow), this issue has come close to home recently, as my 8th grade daughter has chosen the "Pro Life" side in her Social Studies class debates on major political issues of the day. She … Continue reading Pro Life or Pro Abortion?

Alright, one more thing. I read this in today's Wall Street Journal, great piece, but scary to read. A nice story about a good President is excerpted below, followed by a well meaning, but confused troubled youth worker: Sara Trollinger is among those in Orlando working to help young people embody conservative values. She is … Continue reading Who Gets the Kids?

My post of yesterday regarding the decline of once healthy congregations has been rolling around in my mind. I did sound like a bit of a downer, but this is a topic I care about greatly. Christ came into the world to change it forever, one person at a time, and this still happens today. … Continue reading More on Death of the Church

Want to read a painfully hip blog that tackles interesting and tough issues in church leadership and culture? Visit "It Takes a Church" - the website of Tod Bolsinger, my friend of so many years that neither of us cares to discuss it in detail. Tod is the pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church, a … Continue reading My Friend Pastor Tod

Here is a book that anyone who leads within the church and cares about its future direction should definitely read. Written for the layman, but with insights that are greatly helpful for pastors as well. Although published about 8 years ago, it still holds wisdom today. So why was I thinking about a book I … Continue reading The Death of the Church

My wife and I are believers in Christ. We are also parents of two girls, aged 10 and 13. We are also big proponents of public education. Although we could afford (with some stretching, like eating more cat food) to put our girls in nice, happy, private Christian schools, we do not, as we would … Continue reading Wishy Washy Educators

From John Stott's daily thought. This, to me is the primary reason so many do not desire to follow Christ, in a nutshell: We must cast aside apathy, pride, prejudice and sin, and seek God in scorn of the consequences. Of all these hindrances to effective search the last two are the hardest to overcome, … Continue reading Thought for the Day

Do not pay attention to the appraiser behind the curtain! This blog is off to a pathetically slow start, but given some time, persistence, and heavy medication, perhaps it may amount to something. Foremost on my mind the past week has been the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia. We all should have a … Continue reading