Paul doesn't just call Phoebe a deacon. He also calls her προστάτις. Translations render this "patron," or "helper," or "benefactor." It literally means "one who stands before." What I want to talk about is that the masculine form προστάτης was used by Greek-speaking Jews for "synagogue leader."

I took a church youth to the grocery store. He picked out microwave meals. I wanted to intervene; that’s the most expensive way to shop. As I listened,, I learned that the stove didn’t work and the refrigerator was in the yard. All he had was a small freezer and a microwave. Poverty is expensive.

The NYT Connections puzzle was tough today. #UGAgrad

It’s raining! Lord, put the fires out.

Please pray for southeast Georgia. We’ve got fires raging and we need rain.

“May God in His mercy lead us through these times, but above all, may He lead us to Himself.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, penned from prison

The bookmobile used to come to our house when I was a kid. This could have been me! #smalltownGeorgia

#BeGood ✨️ #DoGood #PayItForward ✨️

Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate in the late 4th century, complaining about Christians. “For it is disgraceful that…the impious Galileans support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see our people lack aid from us.”

Last line of doctor’s note for a cold: tea with honey and lemon. Oh, the joy of my mother when the doctor says the same thing she’s been saying for years.

My son asked if he could have 3-4 friends over tonight. He went to Walmart and came back with a crowd. We are currently at 9 in our impromptu party.

The focus of Advent isn’t pretending the baby is yet come so we can act surprised on Christmas. It’s time to reflect on the brokenness in this world & a reminder we’re only in the middle of the story. The babe in the manger came & is returning as king—& the govt will be on HIS shoulders. “Even so…”

In his journal on July 19, 1761, Wesley indicated that one of the remarkable features of the love feast was the freedom that women as well as men exercised in testifying to their experience of God. Every man, yea, every woman, has liberty to speak whatever may be to the glory of God.