Family Visit

This past weekend my parents visited from Springville, Alabama. They are house parents at Big Oak Ranch for Girls. We had a wonderful time talking, laughing, and being together. It was especially great to see Claire interacting with her grandparents. The distance that separates us keeps us from seeing them as much as we would like, but the times together are always cherished. It made me think about the times of corporate worship in our lives as believers. Those times should be filled with awe, grace, and love. So often I think we come to church burdened down with so many other things that we can't seem to find our heart's desire and contentment in Christ. Really there shouldn't be a difference in our demeanor in those joyful times with family and friends and the gathering of God's people for worship.

Last Night On Earth Again pt. 2

As promised more reflection on some Over the Rhine tunes. "I put my soul up for sale/And the whole world asked,/Could you take any less?" Isn't this what happens so many times when we offer our souls, our deepest, darkest secrets, our hopes, dreams, ambitions, and idiosyncrasies to the world? We think to ourselves, "I will make myself vulnerable and open." Unfortunately, we end up discouraged and wounded because the world, even the people closest to us, reject our offer and cheapen our very existence and worth.

MLK Day

Today millions of Americans celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It's my humble estimation that few Americans of the 2nd half of the 20th century did more to change the world than this man. A natural-born leader, King's dream for equality became a realization that changed America and the world. I am amazed at the amount of injustice and racism still prevalent in our country. I must confess, at times I find the demon of racism within my own heart. I'm not sure if anyone can ever be totally, 100 percent free of racism because of the fallen world in which we live, but I don't want that to be a reason to let it go unchecked in my life or my world. My views on race changed drastically during my days at Mercer University. Dr. Sarah Gardner taught me more than she could ever realize about the sins of racism and the ugliness on our nations conscience, to her I say thanks. An old Bob Marley tshirt I have says "Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there is war."

Last Night On Earth Again

This is the title of a song by Over the Rhine that I just can't get out of my head. Some of the lyrics are hauntingly true and quite humorous all at once. The first line of the song goes like this, "Down south where Elvis is king and Jesus is Lord." Doesn't that capture the tension of pop culture and faith, especially in the south. So many of us equate something else in our life with our relationship with Christ, not intentionally, but with how we spend our time and resources. When I lived in Alabama I realized that some states like football, but there it's deeper and wider than the blood (at least it seems that way sometimes). When you first move there people want to know which team you are going to pull for Auburn or Alabama, even though you are from Georgia and are a Dawg all the way through. I kid you not, two separate job interviews included the question of my allegiance to the Crimson Tide or the War Eagle. Football is covered not just for 5 months, but 365 days a year the news touches on something with Alabama and Auburn football. So I guess the age old question is, "Are our allegiances to college football teams the same as our commitment to Christ?"

Presidential Primaries

I have voted in two presidential elections. Both times casting my vote for the Republican candidate, George W. Bush. I'm concerned, okay, frightened that the Republicans have failed to really address some of the key domestic issues that consume the American people. Issues like health care, jobs, the economy...although some of these are not traditional Republican banners, it seems that an increasing number of Americans are finding these the most pressing issues of their day. A war half a globe away or key issues like abortion are not so important when you can't afford insurance and health care for your middle class (that's right) family. How can you one be focused on some of those issues when the economy continues to suffer? My fear is that the Democrats, although they might not be able to deliver, are at least talking about issues that hit home with so many Americans. This election will be one for the record books!

Over the Rhine

I recently got 2 Over the Rhine Cd's. They are amazing! The vocals, the song writing, the arrangements, all heavenly. Discount Fireworks is a career spanning "Greatest Hits", and The Trumpet Child is their most recent offering. Both are worth the price of admission. The songs penetrate the soul unlike most music on the radio today, in an age of American Idol garbage. Over the next few weeks I will probably share some thoughts about a few of the songs that have either struck a chord or brought a smile to my face. In the meantime, you can check them out on the web at www.overtherhine.com.

Carry My Burdens

I just read Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." What would our lives look like if we really put this verse into practice? I'm not sure if we can carry every one's burdens, but certainly there are certain friends, family, brothers, and sisters in Christ that we can be their burden carrier. After I read this verse, I thought for a few moments about the people in my own life who carry my burdens and I theirs. It made me realize that it is in some of these relationships that I have most deeply experienced the grace and love of God. I think that is what is meant by the second half of this verse.