Posts from May 2021
May 26, 2021
Dear Friends, With the Memorial Day weekend ahead, I’ve been thinking tonight about where I was on my birthday ten years ago. I had the opportunity to spend the morning that day with a video crew observing and talking to men who are part of the Old Guard – soldiers who are stationed at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. I’ve shared the video with you before, but it’s worth watching again. I was struck as I talked with these men about…
May 19, 2021
Dear Friends, Two things this week. First, masks. As I said on Sunday, our plan is to transition this week to a “mask optional” for our Sunday morning worship service. Most of you know, the Centers For Disease Control has issued new guidelines, saying that people who have been fully vaccinated can go without masks in most settings. Those who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear a mask to protect themselves. Here in Arkansas, State Epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Dillaha said that she…
May 12, 2012
Dear Friends, One of my all time favorite online videos is this classic from Youth Pastor Mark. If you’ve never watched it, it’s worth the click. I thought about the fictional “Pastor Mark” and his perpetual enthusiasm when I met Vince Parker. Vince was my tour guide a few years ago when I had a chance to tour the Hobby Lobby headquarters in Oklahoma City. Vince was in his early 40’s, and you could tell he loved his job. He radiated…
May 5, 2021
Dear Friends, I have a confession to make. It’s going to surprise some of you. But it’s time to come clean. Ready? Here goes. I am a liberal. Some of you just shook your head and said “I knew he was hiding something! I knew he couldn’t be trusted!” Hang with me here. The word liberal has a range of meanings. The word can mean “generous.” One of the dictionary definitions of the word is “lacking moral restraint.” When I say I’m a liberal, I don’t…