O God of grace and justice, On this 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 We confess that we need your strength to sustain us And your Spirit to guide us. For we are all too mindful that this date still haunts us. Our emotions are singed with anger And our thoughts … More A Pastoral Prayer for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Fawn Weaver insists, “Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.” When it comes to marriage, I chose wisely. I can readily identify with Churchill’s assessment: “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” Amanda and I are celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary today. … More 10 Insights from 36 Years of Marriage
A few years ago after several consecutive days of conversations with friends and fellow church members who sensed their world was coming unraveled, I sensed the weight of the many concerns entrusted to me in a short period of time. As is my pastoral practice, I isolated myself in my study to pray over their … More “Pressing On the Upward Way”
Sometimes you hear a song and it keeps playing in your head long after you have heard it. Such was the case around 2015 when I heard our choir sing the anthem “Press On.” At that time these words were especially relevant for me and other members of our congregation who had experienced grief, extra … More “Press On”
The prophet Amos, who served in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, became acutely passionate about justice. During a time of great prosperity, Amos observed the rise of corruption, the decline of morality, and the increasing neglect of the poor. As he confronted these inequities Amos declared, “But let justice roll … More Let Justice Roll!
For 30 of my 40-plus years as a pastor, I have had the privilege of serving in two distinguished military communities: Anniston (former home of Fort McClellan) and Pensacola (home of Pensacola Naval Air Station). I continue to share life with those who currently serve or have valiantly served our country. Over the past three … More More Than a Million Reasons to Remember
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta birthed a vision in 1946 to plant a church in North Buckhead. The congregation saw this area as a mission field and a hub of future growth on the north side of Atlanta. Second-Ponce purchased property in 1947 on Wieuca Road with the vision of starting the new … More How a Big Steeple Church Is Becoming a Mission Church….Again
Walt Disney suggested, “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Making the journey through a good book is a soul-nurturing adventure. My love for reading was slow to develop. But when it emerged, it flourished. During my teenage years, I perceived reading to be a nuisance and … More 21 Books I Plan to Read in 2021
Every year, my wife and I give a few gifts at the end of the year to non-profits, mission centers, and ministry groups with whom we have a close connection. And although we give regularly to our church throughout the year, we usually give an end-of-the-year gift to our church. This year we are giving … More 10 Reasons We Are Giving a Little Extra to Our Church This Year
by Walter Brueggemann In our secret yearningswe wait for your coming,and in our grinding despairwe doubt that you will.And in this privileged placewe are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do weand by those who despair more deeply than do we.Look upon your church and its pastorsin this season of hopewhich runs so quickly … More A Prayer for Christmas
