Light in the Darkness

I teach in a Public High School by choice. I’m sure, if I applied I could get a position at a Christian School but I choose to teach Pre-Christians. I love it! I don’t stand in front of my class an announce, “I’m a Christian!” But somehow they figure it out. Because I teach both Calculus AB and Calculus BC (Calculus I and II), 2nd semester, I have a mixture...

A Different Spirit

When I watch images of police officers using excessive force… Woman calling the police on African American males… White men detaining an African American delivery man… Southerners shooting a young black male for entering a house under construction.. What I see, what I hear, is a world with the inability to see God in each individual person. This is not a new phenomenal. It is as old as biblical days....

Play Nice

In these times when we are so polarized by politics, a pandemic, and social issues, we would do well to remember the words of Woody to Sid in Toy Story, “Play Nice!” How do we do that? Instructions for “Playing Nicely” given by the Apostle Paul: Genuinely love others (even people with whom you disagree.) Hate what is wrong (even if someone in your political party does it.) Serve the...

You Are the Church

I had a great conversation with a friend who co-pastors a small church in Holly Springs. We were dreaming about what the church should look like. Yesterday after speaking with another friend, I started dreaming about what the perfect church body would look like for me. Here is my list: 1. I want a church body that is diverse – from the leadership to the members. I want a church...

Respond with Grace

It has happened again. Another Christian leader involved in a scandal. (A collective sigh fills the Body of Christ.) I’m sure many Christians want to bury their head in the sand in embarrassment and pray for Jesus’ speedy return. Others are quick to point an accusing finger and blame a lack of holiness teaching in the church. Believers who refuse traditional church, shake their heads and say, “See, that’s why...

The Hunt

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm‬ ‭34:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ This promise is consuming my thoughts this morning…Well actually, I awoke this morning thinking of my needs, my desires, my lack. I awoke this morning and was bombarded by my to-do list. Does anyone else ever awaken and as you are turning off the alarm, your mind has already begun...

A Sweet Aroma

It was eleven years ago. I was standing in front of my class teaching and this young man walked in. At our school, some of the higher functioning students with mental disabilities came to our rooms to collect the recyclables. He was one of those students. He walked right in and interrupted my lesson to tell me he had seen Horton Hears a Who over the weekend. He went on,...

Not my Brother’s Judge

My brother and I grew up in the same home. A Christian home. We were baptized together. He was six. I was four. We both faltered in our teens, made bad choices. But even in my rebellion, I continued attending church. He did not. But we have remained close. Last night I asked my brother if he believed Jesus was the son of God. His reply, “Yes, but my faith...

Pharisees’ Heart

The Pharisees were not evil people. They wanted to fulfill the law. In their hearts, I believe, they really thought they were obeying and defending God. Saul, as he was dragging people out of their homes and consenting to their deaths, really believed he was doing the right thing. He really believed He was defending the cause of God. Now, of course, we know most of the Pharisees in their...

No Condemnation

Breaking News: Sinners sin. Sinners are acutely aware that they sin. Too often as Christians, we expect the world to behave like us, forgetting we can only “behave” because the power of the Holy Spirit. Sinners don’t need guilt. They don’t need condemnation. They don’t need shame. They have an abundance of that. What sinners need to know is that there are other options. What they need to know is...