A “Fair” Review

The Tennessee State Fair opened last night, and as has become the tradition of the Voorhees household, daughter number two and I traveled down Nolensville Road, braved the muddy field parking lot, and found ourselves in the middle of a world filled with the smells of grilling onions and peppers, cotton candy, with a whiff … Continue reading A “Fair” Review →

A “Fair” Review

Did God create Adam and Steve?

…After all God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! For far too many years now the church of Jesus Christ has found itself divided over considerations of sexual identity, orientation, etc. This division is often characterized by name calling and shouting out trite statements like the one above, serving to undermine the church’s … Continue reading Did God create Adam and Steve? →

Update From Percy Priest

I sent out a twitter message a while back asking for prayers for a situation at a birthday party Grace was attending out at the Anderson Rd. Recreation Area at Percy Priest. One of the children in attendance (a teenager around age 16) named Ernest got in trouble swimming and went under. There were several other … Continue reading Update From Percy Priest →

Wish I Was There…

A year ago this weekend, I found myself sitting here: It was the terrace of the Pilgerhaus in Tabgha in the Gallilean region of Israel. I was there on a pilgrimage with 19 other clergy folks at the start of two weeks that was renewing and transformative. I can’t say enough how wonderful the fully … Continue reading Wish I Was There… →

Wish I Was There…

January 20, 2009…

…the end of an error. Our prayers are with you President Obama.

January 20, 2009…

…the end of an error. Our prayers are with you President Obama.

Hey Cupid

My youngest Anna started her songwriting and performing career today. Enjoy her first hit, “Hey Cupid,” produced by her very proud papa. heycupid.mp3

Hello…

As you pull into the church parking lot, you notice the normal throng of people gathered by the front doors, the smoke billowing around them as they take a last drag before going to swear off their addictions. You push through, nodding to one of the guys you met at another meeting, and enter the … Continue reading Hello… →

Hello…

The Best Dad Ever

As the folks that follow me on Twitter know, I spent the evening last night in the midst of over a thousand squeeling teenage divas at the annual 107.5 The River Acoustic Christmas concert. Every year, starting in late October or early November, the station of choice for girls age 8 and older (and the … Continue reading The Best Dad Ever →

People Aren’t Even Buying Bibles

Nashville-based publisher Thomas Nelson said Tuesday it laid off 55 employees.Employees were told about the layoffs this morning, said Lindsey Nobles, company spokeswoman. Nobles declined further comment. She declined to discuss specifics on which departments were affected by the layoffs, but said the layoffs occurred throughout the company. Thomas Nelson lays off 55 employees | … Continue reading People Aren’t Even Buying Bibles →

Yes Virginia, I Think It’s A Recession

Davidson County has seen a nearly 9.3 percent increase in the number of households on food stamps, while counties such as Rutherford, Cheatham and Wilson have seen more than 15 percent increases. That's mainly because they're fast-growing communities with rapidly increasing unemployment rates, Johnson said. Sumner and Williamson counties also saw a nearly 10 percent … Continue reading Yes Virginia, I Think It’s A Recession →

Stream of Consciousness on a Monday morning

I’m sitting at Panera in Green Hills this morning with a million different thoughts going through my mind. There are many plates spinning – our Advent happenings at the church, a number of community possibilities, and the gearing up of opposition to the English First referendum here in Nashville. Combine that with our economic recession … Continue reading Stream of Consciousness on a Monday morning →

The Golden Years

One of the realities of being a pastor in an aging church is being confronted with all of the complications that come with growing old. Yesterday, I had to tell a woman that she would likely never return to her home again. She has reached the point in life that she really can’t care for … Continue reading The Golden Years →

A Child’s Eye View of the Debates

Artwork by Anna… I may be partial but I think it’s a pretty good rendering of McCain….

A Child’s Eye View of the Debates

Artwork by Anna… I may be partial but I think it’s a pretty good rendering of McCain….

Being A Values Voter

Earlier today I was listening to some podcast or radio program when I heard a woman announce herself as a “values voter.” “Yep,” I’m a values voter,” she said. An air of satisfaction dripped from her voice. “I decide who I will vote on based on a few issues – prolife, gay marriage, prayer in … Continue reading Being A Values Voter →

Exercising My Right

Do you ever think much about your rights? Oh, I suppose that we hear some pundit or newsmaker every day talk about rights in some way or another, or some wild eyed radical is standing outside the local grocery shouting that his rights have been infringed upon. However, in the day to day getting by … Continue reading Exercising My Right →