I know…I’ve shared this story before. But every Easter I am reminded of my most memorable visit to the empty tomb of Jesus. My son, Cooper, was 12 years old and had joined Cyndi and me on one of our tours to Israel 14 years ago. Our hotel was within walking distance of the Old […]
The week that changed forever
When I lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land, I often feel obliged to say something like, “We don’t know exactly where this occurred…but it’s somewhere near here.” Two thousand years of civilization has a way of changing the landscape! For instance, when you stand in front of the Western Wall (the Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem, […]
Presbywhatians?
Let’s admit it. We’ve got one of the least cool denominational names in Christendom. In fact, I’ll bet that half of you can’t even spell it. Go ahead, close your eyes and try spelling the “P” word. Presbyterian. There was a day when it carried weight…clout…gravitas. It was a badge of honor to be the […]
Come again?
Come again? When you hear that question, what do you think of? I can think of at least two things. First, “Come again?” makes me think of someone who didn’t quite hear what you said and needs you to repeat it. While I don’t often use the expression myself, there are moments when I need […]
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is one of two sacraments in our denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). The sacrament was instituted by Jesus on the night of his betrayal. It is to be celebrated until the end of the world as a perpetual remembrance of what he did for humanity on the cross. The Lord’s Supper […]
Baptism
Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace, and it’s a significant moment in the life of every believer and their children. It’s one of two sacraments in our Christian denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). We baptize infants (believing that the grace of God is available to all, including those […]
The end times
“Do you think we are in the end times?” I’ve been asked that question more than any other over the last two years. Peter addressed it 2000 years ago when he wrote to his exiled friends, “The end of all things is at hand.” If that was true then, it’s certainly truer now. There’s some […]
War in Ukraine: how to connect and help
Our hearts are with Ukrainians, Russians, and many others in our own community who are traumatized by the war right now. Know that we at Chapel Hill are already deeply connected and sending support in multiple ways. In Eastern Europe Through our very own Doug Burleigh, we have been spreading news of Jesus in Ukraine, […]
Won’t you come back?
Almost exactly two years ago, Cyndi and I were visiting our daughter, Rachel, in North Carolina, when we received news of the shutdown. A virus called “Covid-19” was spreading like wildfire. No one knew how to stop it or how it worked. So, the state of Washington, along with many other states, went into emergency […]
Call it what it is: wicked!
I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew. I certainly hope so. If Vladimir Putin was hoping for a quick capitulation by the Ukrainian people, he is surely disappointed. Though outmanned and outgunned, the Ukrainians have risen up in defense of their country in what can only be described as heroic. Putin underestimated the […]