What If Christians Stopped ‘Saving’ America, and Started Loving It?

November 8, 2012.Reading time 13 minutes.

I mean that question pretty literally. Since Tuesday’s election, I’ve heard “public Christians” –those speaking on TV, radio, the media– talking about the horrible apocalypse that was unleashed Tuesday night, at the re-election of Barack Obama. For months and months now, in my North Dallas neighborhood, I’ve seen these yardsigns: They’re apparently from the Dallas […]

Three Times To See Me In November

November 8, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

In the coming week, I have three shows/lectures, that I hope you’ll come out to see. If that sounds like a lot, well, maybe it is. But each of these events are unique. None of them will overlap, in terms of the music and the message. So, why not come to it all? Connections “Super […]

What Did We Learn Yesterday?

November 7, 2012.Reading time 8 minutes.

What an election. While I know that there may be many who are stunned this morning, I have to say I am not surprised. This vote went almost exactly the way I assumed it would. As you can see here. (I am surprised by FLA, however…) So, what did we learn? 1) Trust Nate Silver, […]

Grace Finds Beauty In Everything

October 18, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

It’s a sad day for us around here. Early this afternoon, we said our final goodbyes to our dog, Grace. I won’t go into the long story. Sufficed to say, we’ve known this was coming for a long time. She was 14 or 15 in human years. Which is something like 100 for a dog. […]

We Believe in the Separation of Church and Hate

August 12, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Very proud that this is a trademarked slogan of Northaven Church. Just posting it as a reminder.

Dixie Chick-Fil-Ayed

August 2, 2012.Reading time 17 minutes.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37) All I could do today, when I saw pictures of the crowds surrounding […]

Twenty Years

June 25, 2012.Reading time 15 minutes.

This year at Annual Conference, there was a very brief recognition of those of us celebrating “five year” anniversaries in ministry. (Five, ten, fifteen, etc…) For me, the actual number is twenty. Twenty years. Back in those days, you were actually first ordained as a Deacon. To get real technical (and, why not?) my ordination […]

Post-General Conference Sermon

May 7, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

For those outside our Northaven community, you might be interested in my sermon at our Reconciling United Methodist Church yesterday. Feel free to leave comments if you wish…EF (At one point, you will hear me pause. Our member, George Crawford, was celebrating his 90th Birthday, and perhaps felt a little more freedom than usual to […]

I Know Families Like Zach’s. They Bless Me.

May 3, 2012.Reading time 3 minutes.

I know this will sound like bragging, but I know kids like Zach.I know mothers like Zach’s mothers. God blesses us by bringing them to us as members of the Northaven community.(Sometimes as full members. Sometimes as “friends”) Being a family is hard work. It takes the love and support of many. That “many” ought […]

Pulled Over By A Cop Car On the Bike Trail

April 27, 2012.Reading time 14 minutes.

Far too often, we hide behind masks of status, role, function. Sometimes power. Far too often, we are walking/talking stereotypes. We regress to mean, even those of us who like to think of ourselves as edgy or “alternative.” (Have you ever noticed how much marketing is done to “alternative” people? It’s big business, like everything […]