Good evening, friend! I have a lawnmower that I pretty much hate. I paid $85 to tune it up and sharpen it up. And still, after running smoothly for about fifteen minutes…enough time to do one half of my lawn…it begins to sputter and cough. (I think it has Corona for lawn implements.) When it […]
Read More… from Sleep on This: Easter Monday and my lousy lawnmower (April 13)
I have led 10 groups to the Holy Land. Every journey ends the same way: a visit to the Garden Tomb where we celebrate the day that changed forever: the resurrection of Jesus. This is always a meaningful way to close out our pilgrimage. But 2015 stands out, by far, as my most memorable visit […]
It is perhaps the most ironic of names. “Good” Friday. Because, in so many ways, it was so bad. So, so bad. Jesus in all his bloodied dignity standing courageously before Pilate. Crowds, stirred up by a few mouthy rabble-rousers— (there are ALWAYS a few mouthy rabble-rousers in the crowd; it takes such courage to […]
Good evening, friend. We call this “Maundy Thursday,” taken from the Latin word mandatum which means “commandment.” On the last night they shared together, Jesus told his disciples he had a “new commandment” for them: that they love one another as he had loved them. Of course, in those last moments, they had no idea […]
Good evening, friend! How is your soul? Are you resting well? Are you finding a personal rhythm in your disrupted life-schedule? There are obviously inconveniences and annoyances—and worse—to our present lockdown. But there are also good things to be found in this new life that has been imposed upon us. I pray that you are […]
Good evening, friend! As you know, I write this blog each evening because I want to offer you encouragement and comfort as you prepare to take your night’s rest. On this third night of Holy Week, I would like to offer a different kind of encouragement…and forgive me for taking longer than I normally do; […]
Read More… from Sleep on This: Virtual communion‚Äîis it permitted? (April 7)
Good evening, friend. As we enter Holy Week, I pray your soul is well, that you are learning to live in shalom, regardless of your circumstances, and that you are soaking in the teaching of Rabbi Paul who models for us what it means to live in hopeful joy even when—ESPECIALLY when—life circumstances are hard. […]
My dear Chapel Hill family, 2 Chronicles 7:14 makes this promise: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Well, our land needs healing. Our […]
I wish I were more tech-savvy! Especially right now when so much of our Chapel Hill community is being handled virtually. But honestly, I’m still figuring this stuff out. For instance, did you know that if you subscribe to the Chapel Hill YouTube page and select the bell icon, you can be notified about all […]
Read More… from Virtual Maundy Thursday and the confessions of a tech-stunted pastor
Good evening friend. There are parts of this COVID-19 journey that are a pain, of course. But there are many aspects of this rhythm that have become sweet to me. Among them is this: my father calls me nearly every day to check on me. One might argue that it ought to be the other […]
Read More… from Sleep on This: April 3 – the Name above all names