Posts from 2023 (Page 2)

Yogi Berra, the great professional baseball catcher who later took on the roles of manager and coach, may likely be known more for his quotes, or “Yogi-isms,” than his baseball career. Last night, the Atlanta Braves came back to beat the Philadelphia Phillies in a wild and exciting baseball game. It reminded me of a Yogi-ism, “The game of baseball isn’t over until it’s over.” Go watch the ending. It’s crazy. For those baseball fans in the room, it was…

This Wednesday, we are excited to welcome back Mark Wakefield to PSBC. It has been a couple years since we’ve been able to host him so I’m excited to hear the updates from his Zona Juvenil Ministries in Guatemala. If you are new to Poplar Springs, Mark is one of the missionaries that our church prayerfully and financially supports. We have partnered with Mark for many years and have sent mission teams to Guatemala to help with his ministry. Zona…

There are so many people in our church that serve in a variety of ways. From the nursery to Wednesday night meals, small group leaders to Sunday School teachers, it takes a village of people to do ministry well here at PSBC. We are very fortunate that so many volunteer their time and talents, some on a weekly basis, to our church. This past Sunday, a special group of those called to serve met in the small dining room. Our…

On September 21, 1898, a small group gathered underneath the poplar trees just beside a spring. Members of the community, 45 in total, came together to meet as a church for the very first time. In April of 1899, they completed the first church building and three years later, a baptismal pool. Since that time, our church building has obviously changed. We’ve built new buildings and changed the landscape of the property. We’ve changed on the inside of the church,…

In March 2001, I went to New York City on a trip with my Senior English class. On a ferry ride, I took a skyline shot of the city on my 35 mm camera. Later that night, I literally laid down on the sidewalk to take a picture of the Twin Towers. In December 2001, I went back to NYC with that same camera. Same ferry ride, very different skyline. Same sidewalks, no Twin Towers. It was such a sobering…

This past Saturday, my family and I went to Lake James to meet up with 9 other friends of mine from my college days at UNC-Chapel Hill. We have been playing fantasy football together for 20+ years now and gather together every year to draft our teams for the upcoming NFL season. You may not know anything about fantasy football, but part of the experience is something I’m sure we can all relate to in some way—-it’s a great time…

There are classic scenes in movies that always make us smile, laugh, tap our foot to the music, or make us sing along. One of those classic scenes is found in Singin’ in the Rain. The 1952 American musical romantic comedy film features Don Lockwood, played by Gene Kelly, singing and dancing in the street to the film’s title song that is so familiar…again, whether we admit it or not. It’s hard not to smile, tap your foot, or whistle…

I grew up watching ABC’s TGIF. Most Friday nights with my family were spent watching shows like Family Matters, Full House, and Step-by-Step. One of my childhood favorites was the show Boy Meets World. The show featured a great relationship between the main character Cory and his teacher/neighbor Mr. Feeny. Mr. Feeny always imparted wisdom and shared more than just the knowledge of the classroom with Cory and his friends. Great Mr. Feeny quotes still ring in my ear: “Believe…

This Sunday’s Summer Recap was incredible. If you were not able to join us, I encourage you to watch online and hear the stories and testimonies of how God moved in the life of our church this past summer. I was reminded of the first section of Matthew 18 where Jesus taught the disciples that we are all to have a child-like faith and welcome children in His name. This Sunday was a great reminder that, if we are watching…

Sunday was special—for me, my family, and for our church. What a great day and an incredible service. And that meal! We might have to bring that spread back more often. As the special music said on Sunday, “All my words fall short, how could I express all my gratitude?….all that I have is a hallelujah.” In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul writes these words, “2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the…