To Follow Him Fully
 
Becky and I became grandparents on Tuesday, August 3. Caleb Warren Teague arrived a little early, but at 6 pounds 6 ounces, he is healthy, at home and doing well. As are his parents, Christopher and Katie.

Caleb’s name is no accident.  His middle name is the same as his father’s middle name – Becky’s father’s first name. Generation to generation.  Continue reading →

Why We Don’t Give Up
 
These are the final few hours of my week in Brazil and after a great lunchtime churasco (the Brazilian way a grilling meat that is unmatched anywhere else), people are resting and enjoying the mid-winter day.  Puffy clouds in the sky, temperature in the 70’s and noisy parrots flying from palm tree to palm tree.  I could get used to this. Continue reading →

Thou Preparest a Table Before – Musings at 35,000 Feet
 
This week’s edition of the E-pistle comes to you a bit early as I am on my way south – to Brazil and to the 70-degree weather of mid-winter in the Brazilian highlands. I will be spending the week with friends in Belo Horizonte, a city of about 3 million 200 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. But right now I am at 35,000 feet somewhere between Philadelphia and Miami where I will have an eight-hour layover before my eight and a half hour flight to Belo Horizonte. Continue reading →

High Seas Expedition: A long way from the beer hall. Or maybe not.
 
I can hardly wait for Monday morning. That’s when the latest edition of an LPC Vacation Bible School begins. This year’s theme is High Seas Expedition. The program begins at 9:30, but the first leaders will arrive much earlier and by 9:00 the church building will be full of activity as team leaders and teachers are putting last minute touches on lesson plans and activities.  And then there’s the sanctuary where all the kids gather daily for the opening and closing of VBS and where each class grouping comes for song and skit at some point during the morning. Thanks to the Cook family for once again transforming the chancel, this year into a high seas expedition. I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen to the room after worship on Sunday!
 
If you are able, and not one of the many who will be serving this year, think about dropping by the church, say at 9:30 or noon, to get a feel for all that’s happening. Continue reading →

LeBron James and Christian Discipleship
 
For those living on another planet: LeBron James is a basketball player.  He is 25 years old and for the past six years, since his graduation from high school in Akron, Ohio, he has played for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.  Between his contract with the Cavaliers and endorsements for the likes of Nike, he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars.
 
LeBron has been a remarkable player for the Cavaliers.  His all-star and MVP awards are too many to count. His team has become a contender and a bright spot in an otherwise dismal city. But the Cavaliers have not won an NBA title even with LeBron James in the line-up. Continue reading →