I am currently preparing for a leadership retreat in September, and therefore I’ve been pouring over ECPC’s vision vocabulary (e.g. See. Savor. Serve. …Marriage, Family, Feasting). If I had to add two more “S” words I would choose “Steadfast” and “Style.” By steadfast I mean to emphasize the fact that, on one hand, we are […]
Something of a disconsolate mood has befallen me recently. Jeremiah’s experience with despondency has been a refuge for me. Jeremiah (amidst much dismay) says, “Your Words were found, and I ate them, and Your Words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O LORD, […]
At the outset of 2018 I decided to research joy. Here’s an overview of what I have discovered so far: Joy comes from looking at Jesus [Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at […]
My best friend has insomnia. I have known about insomnia for a long time, but until recently I haven’t mourned with those who mournfully suffer from it. How miserable, not being able to sleep. Like everything in life, I require a lot of help when it comes to lamenting, and praying, for the issues and […]
Early Friday morning neighbors in our community suffered loss from a 2 alarm fire. 15 families lost all their material wealth, and now take up temporary residence at Albemarle Road Middle School. How you can help: The Red Cross is has designated Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church building as their donations facility. These displaced families need: […]
I should not be allowed to visit REI by myself. The impulse to buy is fierce. The eye-catching buffs beckon to me. The chacos call to me. The trucker hats seduce me (even though I am aware of how silly I look under their puffy perch). Even the stickers and patches beseech me to gander. […]
You are obsessed with something, and you always over-spend on your obsession. Examples: golf, your home, food, entertainment, your kids, your image, your hobbies, etc. Once upon a time The Boss of everyone sat down to watch people tithing. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow put in two small copper […]
Yesterday I devoted myself to gathering with a group of humans at a title 1 elementary school in East Charlotte. A man named Jon asked the group, “How do you grow in faith?” A fanatical man named Paul (a guy who wrote a bunch of letters a long time ago) says that faith does not […]
O Christ who supplies my every need, I praise You for all provisions and for the means by which they are provided. For my current employment, in this season of life, I give You thanks. By it, may I meet my own needs and contribute to the needs of others. Let me work and serve […]
I woke up this morning with an urge to grumble against a friend. My flesh was eager to go with the urge, but The Holy Spirit hijacked the impulse and turned it into a burden to intercede. While praying for my friend, God mercifully made me aware of the unhappiness of harboring contempt, and the […]