A traffic stop last month in Plano, Texas ended unlike any you’ve ever heard about. It started when Hayden Carlo was pulled over for an expired registration sticker. According to and interview, Carlo says he’s been struggling to support his wife and two small children. “You get paid, pay your bills, and there’s your money,”…
Good morning and Happy Almost New Year! I really cannot believe that we stand on the brink of a new year, of 2013. Just hearing 2013 come out of my mouth is surreal in so many ways. I remember the new millennium, 2000 very well because that was a big year for me. That was…
Christmas caroling is meaningful to almost everyone who goes because as Will Ferrell observed in the movie Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Some of us are not great singers, but people don’t seem to mind too much (except for the folks in our group who…
Words are inadequate to express the heartache and grief the families in Newtown, Connecticut are experiencing today. It’s a tragedy that’s hard to fathom. As a parent I can’t imagine sending my child to elementary school and having an event like this take place that is so senseless, heartless, and unnecessary. It reminds me of…
For perhaps all of human history, people have focused on and obsessed about those who are in positions of power. The pyramids after all weren’t built for commoners. It is worse today than it has ever been with photographers and media people invading people’s privacy and stalking and harassing people like the Duke and Duchess…
In the weeks leading up to Christmas many of our schedules are filled with activities, special events, gatherings with friends, parties, music, worship all of which I enjoy. Yesterday Jill and I volunteered at the winter music festival at Nauset Regional High School. It was great hearing so many of our students singing and playing…
Having just come though Thanksgiving, I was drawn to this morning’s text because it is so relatable. Some might say it’s an example of dysfunctional dinners, deadlines and other company related disasters, which all seem multiplied during the holidays. If you could choose anyone to come for thanksgiving dinner at your house, who would you…
This coming week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Have you heard that some stores will be open on Thanksgiving night for “holiday” shopping? It’s upsetting and disappointing that opening at midnight Thursday or 1:00 am or 4:30 am Friday apparently isn’t disruptive enough for folks who have to leave their families to work to appease consumers and…
This morning we’re looking at seeking the lost… Many times, we in the church become comfortable with being a part of a safe community, the community of believers that, as it were, are called out from the world. November 11, 2012 Luke 19:1–10, Seeking the Lost Charles Johnson, ABCUSA International Ministries Area Director for Africa,…