When I think of summer, I think of peaches, watermelon, homemade ice cream, cookouts, vacations and (maybe because it includes all those things) camp meetings! 

I was raised in a church that  practiced — strictly practiced — full immersion. When baptized, we went completely under the water. I remember the first time I immersed someone. We were baptizing several youth who came to Christ at youth camp. I baptized a couple of middle-school boys, and that was no problem. 

For years I was hung up on baptism.

I was immersed (dunked) when I was 8 years old. It was my choice. I was absolutely sincere in my faith and in my intention to follow Jesus. But… 

During Holy Week, I went to North Carolina to do a service with Josh Bruce, a young pastor who grew up in my first congregation. While he was showing me his town, I noticed a lot of homeless people. I asked if there were any ministries to the homeless, and he said as far as he knew there were not. 

“I believe” are two of the most important words we can utter. Why? Because what we truly believe determines how we live. As a camp meeting preacher once proclaimed, “The reason some of you don’t live anything is because you don’t believe anything!” 

t’s kinda sad to see the chocolate bunnies, eggs and marshmallow peeps in the Publix discount bins. Like the folks who take their Christmas trees down on December 26, the “fun stuff” goes away a long time before the celebration’s over! 

Well, it’s Sunday morning when I’m writing this, and we’re at Tralee in the southwest of Ireland. The trip is going well, but I really miss you all this morning. 

Yes, I do mean that! 

We’ve seen some magnificent scenery (sheep, rock walls, ruined castles and abbeys,  gorse and grass)  and have eaten some really great food (that is, if you like lamb and blood pudding — which I do). 

I’ll be out of town this weekend, but if I were in town, I would be preaching from John 20:19–31, a passage about “Doubting Thomas.” Since I won’t be here, I thought I’d share a few thoughts.  

Well, I missed it this year! Since 1975, I’ve caught at least part of The Ten Commandments on television during its annual showing. Normally, it’s broadcast on Easter weekend, but this year, because Passover was last Saturday, they showed it a week early! 

And I missed it. 

Sometimes I will jokingly say that Christ Church is a church for “smart people.” 

But it’s really no joke. 

One of the first things we decided about Christ Church was that Bible study would be a major priority. After all, in Acts 2:42, we learn that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” I’m not an apostle, but my degree is in Biblical studies, and I’ve been a student of the Bible pretty much all my life. If someone really wants to learn and study the Bible, Christ Church is the church for them! 

At my advanced age (and thank you all for your birthday wishes!), it’s possible I’ve told the story below before. If I have, please indulge me this once. At least.

Imagine this: the year is 60 AD, and the Emperor is coming to your town. What would you do? You would spruce everything up. You would clean the streets. You would give everything a fresh coat of paint. You would prepare the people to know how to properly greet the emperor. You would make sure your town was a well-ordered slice of “Rome away from Rome” that would please the Emperor. 

Have you ever visited a lighthouse? To see one rise majestically above the rugged coastline as the waves break violently against the rocks, silently beaming light out into the darkness is alone (well, that and the seafood) worth a trip to the eastern seaboard!  Catch one on a foggy night and it is magical.

I’ve given up writing the Pastor’s Note for Lent.

Just kidding! In a recent meeting, Kim, Dorene and I were talking about how all three of us came from traditions that didn’t practice Ash Wednesday and Lent. I thought their testimony about the impact Lent made on them would be encouraging for everyone to read, so I’ve asked them to write something for the newsletter. This week, Kim is writing about observing her first Lent. 

If you ask any doctor or any other health expert, they’ll tell you the key to weight loss and general well-being begins, not with a fad diet, but with a healthy lifestyle: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. It’s got to be more than an emergency weight-loss; it needs to be a healthy way of living. Then the pounds stay off, the blood pressure stays down, etc. 

So, what are you giving up for Lent?

That’s a question I didn’t hear growing up. The tradition I was raised in, and the tradition of the religious school I attended, didn’t practice Lent. 

Looking back on it, both traditions could’ve used a good dose of Lent!

Well, I wasn’t expecting that!

You all surprise me all the time with your love and generosity. Whether it’s Pastor’s Appreciation month in October, staff love offerings in December or any of the numerous expressions of your love throughout the year — and that’s on top of your generous giving to the missions and ministries of the church — you absolutely outdo yourselves!

Forty years. That’s how long Israel wandered in the wilderness. Forty years. Life begins at 40. Forty years. There’s something about that number . . . 

This past Monday marked my 40th year in ministry. Isn’t that crazy? I know. I don’t look that old. 

Every Sunday is important for the life of our congregation. In Sunday’s text, we saw how Jesus went to the synagogue every Sabbath. If it was important for Jesus, therefore . . . you fill in the rest! 

I’m not a beach person. Those of you who are . . . you are welcome to it! Too much sand. Too much salt. Too many people. . .