Kent Brantly: Every Now and Then a Disciple Breaks Out

As soon as I heard the story of that decision, I had an immediate thought. I know that was a hard decision to make, to not take the medicine so that someone else could have it, but I’m pretty sure I knew how long it took him to make it.
You don’t make that kind of decision without years and years of practice, without years of watching the brothers and sisters around you make sacrifices, and without having the story of Jesus capture your imagination.
That’s why I believe so much in the local church, because every now and then a disciple breaks out, and a disciple still can capture the world’s imagination.

One hundred years ago today the dream of human progress died

The dream of lasting global peace lay tattered by this “Great War.”
It is a dream that despite all our best efforts since, few have seriously dared to hope for again.
And yet, WE do have a hope.
A time is coming, says the God of the Jews when,

. . .they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:4).

You Are More Than Your Resume

The Kingdom of God is not made up of people who can build giant spreadsheets, make expert stock picks or create the next big mobile app. The Kingdom of God is made up of people who are more than their resume, people who do not find their identity in their work (or their lack of it) but instead root their identity in Christ and the work of the Kingdom He calls all of us to in different ways.

Differences In How Americans Speak English Across The United States

Personally, I grew up in New Jersey, but I also lived in the Midwest for quite some time. Where language is concerned, I can attest to the vast differences within New Jersey, let alone the United States. While in the Midwest, people were surprised that I didn’t have a “New Jersey” accent.
Truth be told, Northern New Jerseyans do not have accents, but rather the Jersey accent is more commonly found in South Jersey. Currently, I reside in South Carolina, and over the years, I have adapted to the different dialects in each city I have resided in. However, this has not come without notice. I am cognizant that the way I speak the English language has changed. Some words have changed entirely, while others, I now pronounce differently than I did when I lived up North.

A Facebook group that I’m part of, called Compadres, is having a blog tour. The general theme is The Glory of The Son and each of us will pick a story, event or teaching of Jesus that reflects His glory. Here are the posts so far:
June 3: Jeremy Schopper: Leaving the Noise Behind
June 5: Danny Holman: Jesus Challenge
June 10: Carl Jenkins: Give A Man A Fish
June 17: Jonathan Dobbs: Why Me, God?
June 19: Scott Elliott:The Beauty of the Gospel
June 24: Chris Hodges: The Glory of the Son
June 26: David Smith: then they can see my glory, which you gave me
July 1: Jeremy Hoover: Matthew and Mission
July 3: Allen Carr: The Glory in the Welcome
July 10: Daniel Burns: Not So With You
July 15: Rex Butts: A Place For Lepers
July 22: Jennifer Rundlett: A Vision of Harmony
July 24: Don Middleton: Come To The Table
July 29: Tim Archer: Do Not Be Afraid
August 5: Paula Harrington: When Doubt Met Divine
August 7: Holly Barrett: He knows me inside and out
August 12: Patrick Barber: Nothing But Leaves
August 14: Wade Tannehill: We Have Seen His Glory
August 19: Pita Horne: Walking The Racial Tightrope For Jesus

The events of Ferguson and the ensuing barrage of related articles have served to remind me how ill equipped I am for this ministry context in which I find myself. Yes, I have relevant training and life experience, but the issues revealed in Ferguson run so deep. Any steps toward solutions or reconciliation that I might propose seem so inadequate. I’ve preached for this church for 6 years and yet at a moment of crisis like this I question my credibility to speak meaningfully into the lives of those most touched by the death of Michael Brown.
But before I drown in my doubt and self-deprecation, I find hope in 2 Corinthians 12:9. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”