While vacationing with my grandsons on Edisto Island last week, I noticed that Drew (13) and Charlie (11) were focused on the waves before them, while my eyes were drawn to the ocean beyond. I noticed, too, that they didn't have to get up during the night, while I . . . well, you get the idea. These two observations colluded to spawn another in the midst of a midnight hour near the end of our time together....Keep Reading
"Summer Shoes" Though my childhood seems so far away, it's not . . . in fact, it's as close as a suddenly triggered memory; and may I quickly add, I find that comforting. Mind you, I've no desire to relive those pivotal years; but neither do I want to forget them, for to do so would be akin to erasing a portion from the chalkboard of my life as if it never existed. But it did - and my, oh my, was it significant in this lad's life!...Keep Reading
This past Memorial Day I remembered, as I do every year, the life of Lance Corporal Jeffrey Bruce Owen. Growing up Bruce lived next door to us and was a large part of our family. My dad being a former Marine brought Bruce before our Church Congregation the day before he enlisted, we were all so proud of him....Keep Reading
Early on the morning of April 27, 2010, Becky and I glimpsed Ireland for the first time. As the plane traversed the countryside, we could see below the patchwork of hedgerows, narrow winding roads, brilliant shades of green dotted with sheep and cattle, and quaint hamlets, appearing to have somehow avoided the onslaught of the 21st century . . . quite a contrast to what greeted us upon landing in Dublin!...Keep Reading
Vacation Bible School 2016 Donations: To offer this event to the community at no cost, we try to get many craft and game supplies, decorations, and snacks donated by our Church and school families. Particularly if you are not able to serve as a volunteer, we hope that you will check out our “Donation Wish List” and find some items you would be willing to provide! Donation bins are located in the Parish Hall on the Historic Campus and the atrium on the Cross Schools Campus. Please bring all items in by June 3rd....Keep Reading
Our Church and the Bluffton Community have experienced a heart wrenching loss. Twelve days ago 14-year-old Grace Sulak was tragically killed in a hit and run car accident outside of Columbia. Andrea Dewey and her 14-year-old daughter Emma were critically injured. It's difficult to communicate how hard this has hit so many because both families are such a huge part of our Church and Community....Keep Reading
Recently a pastor's words challenged me to think about my life. He said, "Much of Christianity in America is focused on Adrenal Christianity rather than Heart Christianity." I love adrenaline; being a pastor and having five children there are many days where that's the only thing that gets me through......Keep Reading
...So wrote C.S. Lewis in his autobiography "Surprised by Joy." His story describes how The Hound of Heaven brought him to his knees to admit that God was God and he was not. It is one of the great stories in history of God pursuing one of his prodigal's even when they weren't pursuing him. I'll be covering Lewis this Thursday in my Journeys of Faith class, please feel free to come, even if its just this week....Keep Reading
Johann Sebastian Bach - today the world knows him as probably the most brilliant musical composer that has ever lived. Many however don't know what propelled him to write some of the greatest music in history....Keep Reading
As I walked about a few hours ago saying my prayers, the construction workers rebuilding the seawall greeted me. They were hastily trying to make up for lost time - three times since Ash Wednesday their job site has had to be silenced for a funeral. In light of what they've heard and seen, I wonder what they're thinking at this moment....Keep Reading