Why I Believe What I Believe: Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ (Part III)

    13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High

“Why I Believe What I Believe…” Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ (Part II)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to

Why I Believe What I Believe… A Seven Part Blog on Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ (Part I)

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.  And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses

A Place to Stand as the Holidays Near

My constant temptation is to simply check out. Cash it in, retire, unplug, disconnect, disappear into the Smoky Mountains with Melissa and a Bible and have no idea who becomes President in the next election. The troubled state of the world, our unsettled country and divisions within my denomination make me sad. Not mad, just

Why People Leave a Church

In the early days of my ministry, not many people left our church.  I was in a rural area, there wasn’t much competition and people were loyal to the institutions of their community.  They would no more leave our church than they would send their children to another high school, stop doing business at our

Scars and All (Tremont People)

Not so long ago Melissa and I drove along a gravel road that was once a railroad track for a logging operation near Townsend, Tennessee. The wooded area surrounding us is called Tremont.  Tremont is beautiful with a pristine stream running through it that jumps from one side of the elevated road to the other. 

A Walk Down Duval Street… (Are WE the new counterculture?)

Melissa and I were recently in Key West. I officiated a wedding for our best friend’s oldest son on the beach at Ft. Zachary Taylor. Well the beach-ish anyway. If you have been to Key West you know what I mean. No one goes to Key West for the beaches. Those who do, only visit

Connecting the Dots: Legacy

1 As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: 2 “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. 3 Observe the requirements of the LORD your God and follow all his ways. Keep each of the laws, commands, regulations, and stipulations written

Three Faith Viruses to Watch

There are three theological viruses floating around these days that concern me. My concerns are two-fold: 1) They have wide appeal 2) I can see why they have wide appeal. The first virus is the idea that God exists for us. God’s function is to make us happy, give us what we want and make

Supporting Leaders (And Leading Supporters)

Can’t sleep tonight.  It happens.  Not very much but it happens. Praying for Christian leaders. My heart is heavy. Leadership circa 2020 is SO difficult. Pandemic. Churches closed. Cultural upheaval. Election cycle. Throw the devil (yes, I believe in such stuff) into the mix and the task can seem overwhelming. I know some great leaders