I recently saw the new version of True Grit. Once again, the Coen brothers have written and directed an engaging, thought-provoking, and cinematically stunning movie. But, for me, one of the most striking parts of True Grit was not its look, but its sound, specifically, its soundtrack. The composer, Carter Burwell, a frequent collaborator with…

As most of my readers know, blogging is not my day job. My official title at work is “Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge.” I have served in this role for the last three and a quarter years, after sixteen years as Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Southern California. Laity Lodge is…

An Expansive Vision for Family Worship Psalm 22:1-31 The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.      All the families of the nations will bow down before him. Psalm 22:27 Many years ago while on a sabbatical from my pastoral role at Irvine Presbyterian Church, my family and I visited several prominent…

My latest article at the Patheos Preachers Portal focuses on “Exegeting Your Congregation.” I was motivated to write this article by a Christmas Eve sermon that included a reference to “The Rabbit of Caerbannog.” You get extra credit if you know what this is! I think this article will be of interest, not just to…

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