Specks and logs. That’s what I’ve been thinking about since yesterday’s Ash Wednesday services, when we heard Jesus’ instruction to his disciples in Luke 6: Want to know how to be merciful like God is? You can start by not getting worked up about the speck in somebody else’s eye when you’ve got a whole […]
Baptism, Christian Calendar, Eucharist 0
If you’ve ever been sitting in a dark theater when, suddenly, a single spotlight brilliantly illuminates one character on the stage, then you’ve got a pretty good idea of what Epiphany is all about. Epiphany, which we celebrate this Sunday, is the day when we contemplate and celebrate God’s full revelation of himself in Jesus. […]
We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are marked with the sign of the covenant may in every way grow up into him who is our Head, Jesus Christ. To Him, to You, and to […]
Next Tuesday evening, we will hold a special Eucharist service for Election Day. A number of churches around the country will be doing this, and I’m excited that Restoration is one of them. No matter what your political leanings, praying for our nation and our leaders is something we are all called to do (1 […]
Church, Relationships, Sermons 1
Relationships. They are often some of the most fulfilling and the most challenging aspects of our lives. Friends, spouses, parents, roommates, kids, colleagues, siblings — all have ways of bringing out our best and our worst selves. Figuring out how to cultivate healthy relationships is hard, good work. And it’s what we’re going to be talking […]
Facility, Generosity, Spiritual Disciplines 5
To be honest, we’d been talking about the capital campaign for some time before it really dawned on me: ‘Oh, right… This includes me, too.’ (Sometimes I’m not the quickest one in the room.) And then I started to get a little bit nervous. It wasn’t the idea of giving money that made me hesitant. […]
I’m in a bit of a pensive mood today. I’m not sure why… Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I waited all morning for the dishwasher repairman to show up and tell me that there’s nothing wrong with my dishwasher that doesn’t work. Which, while frustrating, did mean that I got […]
Community, Outreach, West Virginia 0
Earlier this month, I went on my third Restoration trip to Philippi, WV. Each year, it seems, when we cross the line into West Virginia, the John Denver song seems to erupt spontaneously from whoever is in the car. This year, the Brooks family and I belted it out with gusto. West Virginia may not […]
Community, Sermons, Small Groups, Thoughts 0
“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.” Lego depictions aside, the story of Uzzah isn’t a particularly funny one. If you just drop in on the story in 2 Samuel 6, Uzzah’s death […]
Several of you have asked about the children’s Bible that I’ve referenced in the Jonah sermon series. It’s The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago. I love it. Whether or not you’ve got a kid in your life, I heartily recommend trying to get your hands on a copy. What’s so […]
