(Emailed to West Franklin members on August 12th, 2020) West Franklin Family, We are approaching the half year mark since the pandemic interrupted all of our lives in March. Needless to say, this has been one of the most trying seasons we have, collectively, experienced in a long time. And, as we all know, it is not going away any time soon. As I write, the college football season is looking less and less likely to happen (insert huge sobs here).  Over the last week, our church leadership has intentionally and prayerfully considered our upcoming campus plan. To provide you...

West Franklin Family, No one enjoys a funeral. No one gets excited about attending a funeral. No one is eager to get to the funeral home and delights in being around sad people. Due to the nature of my vocation, I have been to my fair share of funerals. Never once have I looked forward to one. I have been blessed by many of them. But never been eager to get there. Yet they are necessary. Critical. In a very bizarre way, helpful. Even this guy said so. Funerals are never convenient. No one thinks on Monday morning, “Oh, I...

West Franklin Family, Two very daunting things happened to me recently. First, I had an interaction with a dad who is being incredibly intentional with his family. He takes his job as being the spiritual leader seriously and, in my opinion, is doing a remarkable job. I was encouraged, challenged, and motivated all at the same time. Honestly, it was daunting. Second, we got the news that all Williamson County schools will be remote AT LEAST during the first two weeks. We received our children’s schedules. From what I understand, they will be sitting in front of a computer from...

West Franklin Family, There is a phrase from Titus 3 that I haven’t been able to shake. A word, really, rather than a phrase. I haven’t been able to shake it because I haven’t really really wanted to. “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared...” (Titus 3:4) Isn’t it absolutely breathtaking that our God is kind? Seriously. Think about this with me. God is kind toward you. His thoughts toward you – right now – are kind. His tone towards you – right now – is kind. He speaks to you – if you will listen,...

West Franklin Family, For years after my paternal grandfather died, suddenly – without warning – in a boating accident while fishing, my grandmother kept a picture of her husband of over 50 years beside her bed. I never asked her why, but I imagine because she was scared to death of forgetting. I imagine a terror in her soul that she might go a day or a week or a short season when she didn’t think about him. To be sure, I have never lost a spouse. I haven’t even been married half as many years as the two of...

West Franklin Family, Ever feel like you’re going backwards? About the time I feel like we are on the “other side” of COVID-19, I feel we take a step backward. Mandatory masks. Hot spots. School openings delayed. The Big Ten and Pac 12 announced they are only playing football within their conference. I was looking forward to offering childcare on our campus later this month. But not now. That has been delayed indefinitely. Sometimes I feel like we are going backwards. But (and this is a BIG but), that’s not how God works. And it’s not how many of you...