I read an article in the news the other day about the Titanic. Two metallurgy experts poured over research for years, studying the materials used to make the hull of the ship. They found that the iron rivets used in the bow and stern were possibly made with inferior metals. Their hypothesis is that when the rivets broke, it put too much stress on the rest of the boat, therefore allowing 6 compartments to be flooded. They think it is likely that if stronger components had been used in construction, maybe only 5 or 4 compartments would have been flooded and the boat would have sunk slower, allowing more people to get off the ship. There is also the possibility that with 4 compartments, they could have limped into port somewhere, saving almost everybody. (more…)

Welcome back from spring break. I hope it was restful for you, no matter what you did. Did you go somewhere? Did you go somewhere fun in your head?

We are in the home stretch, as summer is just around the corner. It may not feel like it, but in another few weeks, school is over for the year! For me, a graduate, this means a scary new beginning in life, as I once again move from full-time student to full-time worker. (more…)

John 20:24,25 - “But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe’.”

Man, have I ever felt like this before. I identify so much with Thomas and his expression of doubt. Don’t we feel this way today? “I need proof!” Faith is so much harder without proof. (more…)

Happy Easter Sunday! It is a good thing, for after a week of the expectation of the death of Christ and a few days of mourning, Christians feel joyous again. Of course, you may wonder, did I ever feel as reflective or sad as I should have during Holy Week? You might say: “I knew about the days…Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Saturday just felt like a normal day to me. I am thankful for what Jesus did for me but Holy week just flew by like any other week. Is there something wrong with me?” (more…)

Matthew 21:6-11

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” (NSRV) (more…)

The approaching of Easter Sunday has me thinking about transformation. Yes, “Transformers” was a good movie, but I’m not talking about cinema. I’m talking about the transformation that human beings experience when they are guided through life by the hands of God. Do you remember where you’ve been? Can you see where you are going? I state that you cannot forget from where you came, so that you CAN see where you are going. (more…)

This weekend was amazing for me. I got to hang out all day Saturday and some Friday night, with a most amazing youth group. Whirly Ball was a blast! We did some good local mission work down at Safehouse. For me, Disciple Now ’08 was a success. (more…)

Do you remember when you were a kid? Since many of you are not that far removed from “kid hood,” you probably do. What would you do if you were playing a game and something questionable happened…something too close to call? You would call a “do over”, right? I would. (more…)

I am currently in Boone, NC with the high school and I can surmise that I am having a good time. Of course, I cannot tell the future, but if I know preacher Johnny B, we are in the middle of a powerful message series. If I know my friends Gabe Close and Jamie Williford, the worship music is equally powerful. If I know God, God is moving in special ways this weekend, in Boone and in Stone Mountain, Georgia. I hope you enjoy your Sabbath day. (more…)

We are now in the season of Lent. You may ask: “What is Lent?” Is that clothes dryer related? Do you find it in your pants pocket? No, it is the time that Christians give something up in preparation for the Easter season. What did Christ do before he began his ministry? He went into the desert and fasted for 40 days. He stretched himself physically, mentally and spiritually, so that he would be ready for the challenges he knew were in front of him. (more…)

God does amazing things. Can we all agree on that? Nature, the weather and all that has to do with creation, never ceases to amaze me. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset or a breathtaking mountain vista, you cannot help but feel the fingerprints of God in the inner workings of the world.

This is why I am never surprised when I see something like … let’s say … a two-headed turtle.

(more…)

We are back from Gatlinburg … it rocked! All of you who went, thanks for being awesome! A big thank you goes out to the band … you rocked too! You may be saying: “Lee sure is excited because look at how many exclamation points he is using!!!” I am excited and pumped up about the future of this youth group.

(more…)

Have you ever been given something when you really needed it or been shown kindness when you felt it really was not deserved? I got the chance to”ring the bell” outside Northlake Mall over the Christmas season. I don’t think I raked in a record number of donations in the two hours I was there but a few people put in some change and thanked me for being there. (more…)

The Extravaganza was awesome! The band, dare I say … rocked! Thanks to everyone who went with us on New Year’s Eve: Thanks for being and for just flat our having a good time. (more…)