Category Archives: Adventures
Theology of a Teenager, Part 2
Yesterday, I talked about the beginning of my theology adventure with Michelle. Here’s the rest of the story. Michelle read Theology and Galatians, learned more about Jacob Arminius than she ever thought she wanted to know (and heard me talk … Continue reading
Beauty in the Tension
Tension is important. Without it, the physical laws of the universe would not work. Tension keeps planets in orbit, my tennis racquet strung properly, and tightrope walkers secure as they hover above the audience below. Tension brings a beauty to … Continue reading
Favorite Blogs of 2011
My blogging productivity diminished greatly in 2011. I will blame the book-writing process for that. This is a list of my favorites from 2011. Not necessarily the most popular, insightful, or important. Just the ones I like the best. Never … Continue reading
The Christmas List- Updated
A few years ago, I started posting a Christmas list. Things to do at least once in your life. Some of them should happen every year. This year, I’ve added a few updates. See Handel’s Messiah live. Participate in a … Continue reading
Guns and Legos
Yesterday, my schedule included, “Leadership Covenant training, lego construction, gun range.” Yep, I’m a discipleship pastor. Here’s the deal. Our 3-hour Leadership 101, the initial online training that all NCC small group leaders are required to complete, is being updated. … Continue reading
Go In Twos
We are discipled by people, not by programs. Discipleship happens when we invite people into our lives as we are living it. Sometimes that happens in my home. Sometimes it happens around food. More often, it’s happening on the road. … Continue reading
One Crazy Idea: CHIPOTLE!
It’s One Crazy Idea Week. I’m surrounded by crazy people doing crazy things, and all of them were fueled long ago, once upon a time, by one crazy idea. In this series, I want to introduce you to some of … Continue reading
Delays and Detours
Life is an adventure. And if you have ever experienced a road trip with me, you know this to be true. It seems every time I travel, a delay or detour is always in my path. Take today, for instance. … Continue reading
The Milkshake is the Muse
“O Muses, O high genius, aid me now!” (Dante, The Inferno) “I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. I need to write. Oh…there is leftover pizza in the fridge!” (Heather Zempel, … Continue reading
Reflections from Greece
I’ve been to Greece twice this year. Crazy. Who gets to do that? I am so thankful for my job. In February-March, I traveled to Greece and Italy for an academic study tour with Ryan. And again the past couple … Continue reading
Four Hours in Rome
Background: I am leading a team of 14 NCCers on a mission trip to Greece to support the A21 Campaign as they combat modern day slavery and sex trafficking. The Twist: Our flight from Boston to Rome was delayed for … Continue reading
Serious About Sabbath
A couple of years ago, I started practicing the Sabbath. And I honestly don’t think I’m exaggerating at all when I say I think it saved my ministry. And my sanity. Sabbath looks different every week. Sometimes, it needs to … Continue reading
It’s Always an Adventure, Part 2
This is a continuation of the epic tale of my trip to Knoxville and Atlanta. Read Part 1 here. So…we left Sevier Heights Baptist at 11:30, arriving at Emily’s neighborhood sometime around midnight. We were greeted by standing water. My … Continue reading
It’s Always an Adventure, Part 1
I’ve experienced my fair share of crazy road adventures. Like the time Jenilee LeFors and I were already late for the airport and somehow drove 25 miles in the wrong direction (and miraculously still made the flight). Or the time … Continue reading
I Fall
So. I have a habit. I fall. All the time. I grew up playing sports… and lots of them. Softball, volleyball, tennis, track. So you would think I would be a bit more graceful. Nope. Once, I fell through a … Continue reading
The Big Booty Party…or…Why I Wear a Pirate Hat Today
So…I am wearing a pirate hat today. Why? Because I want to raise awareness. My good buddy Jenilee Joy LeFors is embarking on a new adventure. She is on an expedition in search of her next treasure dig. Wells. Water … Continue reading
Staunton
Ryan and I are in Staunton, Virginia this weekend trying to be productive and knock out some projects. More on that later. In the meantime, here are some of the views from today. The Dixie. And the Stonewall Jackson.
Pilgrim’s Process: Gratitude
“Thanks.” That’s what I said as I stood in front of St. Peter’s tomb in the excavations underneath the Vatican. We Protestants don’t have heroes. Or at least we don’t have many. I guess Jim Elliot, Lottie Moon, and Martin … Continue reading
Pilgrim’s Process: The Bible is Real
Pilgrimage gives me a new perspective on Scripture. I know the Bible is real. I believe that and teach that. In fact, one of the things that compels me to do my job is an insatiable desire to see people … Continue reading
Pilgrim’s Process: God’s Love is Bigger Than Mine
I played around with a lot of different titles for this one: “God loves idiots.” “God loves people I can’t stand.” “God loves people that drive me bonkers.” I decided it’s really just an issue of God’s love being bigger … Continue reading
Pilgrim’s Process: In Cathedrals in Conflict
You might have clued into it at some point along the way, but I’ve just returned from a 2-week adventure in Greece and Italy, following largely in the footsteps of Paul with a few sides trips to cool places like … Continue reading
Legacy
My sister is intensely excavating our family’s history, and every now and then she digs up some really cool stuff. Just the other day, she sent me this email: “I guess this explains why you lean Wesleyan in your thinking?? … Continue reading
Final Thoughts From St. Peter’s Basilica
Well, we just returned to the hotel from our final night in Rome. Here is a wrap-up of our trip.
Martyrs and Witnesses
Just a couple of quick thoughts from Rome. One spot is called Tre Fontane, and it is the location of Paul’s imprisonment and execution. The other is from St. Paul’s Basilica, which traditionally is believed to hold the remains of … Continue reading
Loving God in Athens
Spent the day in Athens. Toured the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, the Odeion, and the Erechtheion. Temple of Hephaisteion, Stoa of Attalos and Temple of Zeus. Ate some great gyros. And scrambled all over Mars Hill, where Paul proclaimed the … Continue reading
Going Crazy in Corinth
Alright, there was a lot to show in Corinth, so…let’s get started. Video #1: Port of Cenchrae (Acts 18:18, Romans 16:1) Video #2: At the Bema in Corinth (Acts 18:12-16) Video #3: Between To Temples (1 Corinthians 1:18-31, 1 Corinthians … Continue reading
Ryan and Heather in Nicopolis
Here are Ryan’s reflections on Nicopolis. And here are Heather’s reflections on Nicopolis. And she meant when Paul was writing to Titus…not Timothy. Details, details.
Thoughts From Berea, Vergina, and Preveza
Here’s another video update.
Thoughts From Philippi
I recorded this for Theology 101 the other day and thought I would share it here, as well.
Thoughts From Thessaloniki
Alright, Campers. It’s too late to blog, so I’m bringing you a little video instead!
Tripped Up in Troas
Acts 15:40- Paul begins his second missionary journey The Holy Spirit doesn’t allow him to preach in Phrygia or Galatia. So he goes to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit won’t let him preach there, either. “So, passing by Mysia, they … Continue reading
Greece/Italy Itinerary
For those who are interested, here’s what I’ll be up to for the next couple of weeks: Feb 27, Sun Depart Home Airport for Thessaloniki, Greece (SKG). Feb 28, Mon Plan arrival by 1:45 PM at the Thessaloniki airport for … Continue reading
A New Pilgrimage
In 2005, I embarked on my first trip that might be described as a pilgrimage. I joined 6 other clergy from various theological streams (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopalian, etc…it sounded like the beginning of a bad joke). We traveled to … Continue reading
Never Travel Alone
This weekend proved to be another adventure. In general, I try to never travel alone. The main reason is that joint experiences seem to create the best environments for discipleship. And let’s just face it; I just have a lot … Continue reading
Christmas in Mobile
Well, the ritual begins in 12 hours. Ryan and I will board a jet plane and head to the balmy South for Christmas. It’s the year to be in Sawyer territory, and I’m looking forward to a week filled with … Continue reading
The Christmas List
I post this every year, but it’s one of the few that I think is worth a re-post. In no particular order, thirty-one Christmas experiences that I believe every person should have at least once. See Handel’s Messiah live. Participate … Continue reading
The Playlist
In just a few hours, Ryan, Bob, Juliet, and I will get in a car and drive 10 hours to Nashville, Tennessee. Actually, it will be more like 12 because Bob insists we have to stop for frivolous activities like … Continue reading
Lost and Learning
On Saturday, October 9, I arrived in St. Lucia to officiate a wedding for some great NCCers. On Tuesday, October 12, I arrived at the St. Lucia airport to leave Paradise and return to real life in Washington, DC. Granted, … Continue reading
The Anatomy of a Sabbath
For about 2 years, I’ve been on a path of learning about the gift of Sabbath. And I tend to get on a soapbox when talking about it. I hesitate to say it because I’m pretty sure it sounds over … Continue reading
Who Are You Serving?
All of us have some level of influence. As leaders, do we use our influence to serve ourselves? Or to serve others? When we are given a level of authority, what do we do with it? This weekend at NCC, … Continue reading
Memorable Musicals
I made another theatre pilgrimage to NYC yesterday to see South Pacific at the Lincoln Center with my friends Juliet and Jill. At some point during the return trip, one of them asked me about my best musical theatre experience. … Continue reading
Praying and Playing
Each year, the NCC staff goes on two retreats. One is a planning retreat in the fall, where we brainstorm, scheme, and visioneer for the upcoming year. The other is Pray and Play in the summer. Best. Time. Ever. We … Continue reading
Love Sweet Home
We do some ridiculous things in the South. For instance, we give kids names like “Young Boozer.” For real. We give a town the name “Seminary” and then name the town just up the road “Sanitorium.” Wondering if there is … Continue reading
Pilgrimage to West Virginia
I’m leading the Sacred Roads Retreat this weekend. And also going on a personal pilgrimage of sorts. We decided to keep the participation small and head to Mt. Zion Retreat Center in Harpers Ferry, WV. In Fall of 1999, I … Continue reading
Sacred Roads: Chicago
Stop #2 on our epic cross-country trip from Oregon to DC was Chicago! Honestly, I would have been happy to have spent more time there because we missed the opportunity to see some really great friends. I’m so thankful for … Continue reading
Sacred Roads: Denver
I’m so thankful for the body of Christ. Ryan and I are slowly and steadily making our way cross-country from Oregon to DC, but we have been stopped a number of times by the snow storms in DC. Last night, … Continue reading
In the Heights
Alright…so here I go on another of my theatre posts. Last weekend, I saw one of my new favorite shows on Broadway: In the Heights. Actually, it’s one of the best new shows I’ve seen in a really long time. … Continue reading
Goal Review
Every year about this time, I review life goals and set monthly and annual goals. In 2002, I wrote down 100 life goals at the encouragement of Mark Batterson at an Inward Bound Retreat. Over the past 8 years, I’ve … Continue reading
Scenes From Oregon
It seemed we were always on the go…or on our butts being lazy…so I didn’t get much play-by-play of our Oregon experience recorded on the blog. You will have to go to Twitter for that. But here are a few … Continue reading
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