Confession: The “deacon call list” has always caused me a bit of anxiety. You know, that list of church members a deacon calls during times of crisis or when the church is introducing new initiatives. I am perplexed by the anxiety. I’m a people person and I like to talk. Perhaps it is because the … Continue reading We need each other: The blessing of connections during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Give New Orleans your prayers, not your pity
I don’t know exactly why USA Today’s article about New Orleans and the COVID-19 outbreak aggravated me so. You can read it for yourself here: “Death rate soars in New Orleans coronavirus 'disaster' that could define city for generations.” At first, I thought it was the tone. I read it again. The tone is serious … Continue reading Give New Orleans your prayers, not your pity
Have you seen Jazz?
Have you ever seen jazz? That’s right – “seen jazz.” Have you seen it played, experienced it in person. I know you have heard jazz – at the movies, on TV (The Charlie Brown Christmas Special), on the radio. But if you haven’t seen jazz played live, you only appreciate a fraction of its beauty … Continue reading Have you seen Jazz?
Mardi Gras in Black & White
Mardi Gras in New Orleans explodes with vivid colors and vibrant sounds. These sensory aspects are what most people associate with the parades ... and those are some of my favorite aspects as well. But Mardi Gras is also about community and people from various backgrounds coming together -- something that wasn't always the case. … Continue reading Mardi Gras in Black & White
A country boy with a window to the world
Because of the work I do and my creative interests, many people assume that I've always lived in a city ... at least until they hear my accent.But that is not the case. I grew up on a dirt road in southern Oklahoma surrounded by wooded hills, streams, pasture land, and peanut farms. Our 20-acre … Continue reading A country boy with a window to the world
A City with a Soundtrack
I heard music the very first moment I set foot in New Orleans. It was the breathy sound of a steam calliope atop a paddleboat on the Mississippi River. The sounds of the city (one that I would later call home) made a great first impression. New Orleans is a city with a soundtrack, and … Continue reading A City with a Soundtrack
Clapping Back at Clapping Back
You know the feeling. Someone insults you, your favorite politician, or even your football team and you feel your blood pressure rise with your anger. The temptation is to “clap back” – to respond to the criticism or insult with a brutal comeback. It seems like every day some activist, celebrity, politician, sports figure, or … Continue reading Clapping Back at Clapping Back
Lessons Learned and Remembered: The Power of a Spiritual Marker
It’s an odd thing to keep – a beat-up, old fishing lure with no hooks. It’s been with me for quite a while – more than 20 years. The lure has traveled with me through various cross-country and cross-town moves. It has no value for catching fish and I don't really go fishing anymore. I … Continue reading Lessons Learned and Remembered: The Power of a Spiritual Marker
‘Jesus is King:’ Kanye’s simple confession
I laughed. I cried. I worshipped. That’s my response to “Jesus is King” – the Gospel album that Kanye West released last week. After listening to previews of each song, we bought the album last Saturday and listened to it as a family. And we enjoyed it. The album is funny, serious, honest, heartfelt, and … Continue reading ‘Jesus is King:’ Kanye’s simple confession
Find Your Samaria
In my previous blog post, I suggested a fresh look at Acts 1:8. You can find the previous post here. Rather than looking at the geographical aspects of “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth,” I suggested Christians also should thinking relationally. Again, I am not arguing that it is 100% relational, but … Continue reading Find Your Samaria
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