Today was homecoming day. We traveled to the regions that Jesus knew best– Nazareth and the surrounding countryside. We visited Jesus’ hometown as well as Sepphoris, the capitol of Galilee during Jesus’ life. Sepphoris is a 10-mile walk from Nazareth and the traditional birthplace of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and one of the cities where Joseph […]
Read More »
Lift up your heads, O gates and be lifted up, O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Psalm 24:7 We began the day at the ancient port city of Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Sea. We visited ruins of an amphitheater, hippodrome (horse and chariot racing stadium), aqueduct, harbor, and the […]
Read More »
For the next eleven days, I’ll be blogging from Israel and Jordan. Rhonda Smith and I are leading a group of twenty-two on a pilgrimage to Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Masada, Amman, and Petra. Please follow us on twitter as well. After a safe arrival in Tel-Aviv, we met our guide, Yair “Jayah” […]
Read More »“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” The first part of Jesus’ great commission combines mission and teaching, service and education, witness and formation. Both work hand in hand. You learn as you go. When you move, you grow. The Connections Weekend conference, February 7-9, focuses our attention on the first part of […]
Read More »
One of the fun things about living in a college town is that I’m always reminded of the adventure of faith. People change their plans because God speaks, and they follow. A college student changes majors, changes universities, or goes a totally different direction in life because they are disciples. During Advent, one of our […]
Read More »This past September, the deacons and pastoral staff retreated to Dowling Park for a powerful time of inspiration and dedication to deacon ministry. We prayed for our city, read Eric Swanson’s book The Externally Focused Quest, and discussed the role that deacons have as servants in the city of Tallahassee. Our key verse came from […]
Read More »
Faith is an adventure of relationships, and sometimes the first step in a relationship is the hardest one to take. This past year, we’ve embarked on a wonderful journey together. Where will the people take us in 2014? If the Holy Spirit’s work is any indicator, no one ever really knows. God opens doors, and […]
Read More »At some point in the New Testament, without much warning, the first followers are no longer considered to be disciples, or “learners.” They are called “apostles,” the ones who are sent out to live on mission for Jesus. In Matthew, the change happens in chapter 10, when they are sent out first to lost sheep […]
Read More »
On Tuesday, I wanted to have a little fun with our orange and blue neighbors to the North. Recognizing that we have a few Auburn faithful at First Baptist, I thought it might be interesting to see how FBC Auburn was preparing for Monday night. Little did I know that a few other people might […]
Read More »
Resolutions are so much fun this time of year. We know we’re not going to complete them, but it sure is fun talking about them. Why do we break them? Dan and Chip Heath’s studies have shown that resolutions are made for defeat. They’re designed to make us feel good about setting them but do […]
Read More »