Deep Fry

Four years ago today, the worst recorded tornado outbreak in U.S. history struck parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia & east Tennessee. For Nashville area residents, it's easy to forget how powerful the storm was having been spared the worst of the system's intensity (sound familiar?). Unfortunately, communities just 50-125 miles south of us would experience catastrophic loss on what is now heralded as a 1 in 100 year storm. Years later, the day still fascinates/haunts me.. .mainly because of what could have been. People occasionally ask me if I stormchased that day. The answer is no, but I gotta tell ya...I was pretty darn close. For days, I waffled back and forth on the idea; however, something in me told me to stay home and upon further review, I'm very glad I did. On one end, I would have likely seen my first tornado had I made the trip down to my intended destination outside Huntsville. On the flip side, I may not have lived to tell the tale about it. Th...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am one voice, crying out in the dark Make straight my ways; let light leave its mark For I am the maker of all things new What I speak is faithful; my words always true. I am the good shepherd; I came to give life So all men could have it…and have it in rife I am the grave conquered; a tomb left abandoned A deep love ascended for hope one can stand in I am the way; I came to set free The broken and blind who lacked eyes to see I am the good news, truth spoken in awe A grace to replace the chains of the law I am the keymaster; I came in meek splendor So I could teach men the way to surrender I am the gatekeeper who authored redemption The Passover lamb who made no exception And all so your stripes could be healed, not afflicted For mercy to mend the divide once inflicted So...

I’m just goin’ cut to the chase… I don’t give a flying fart 1 about “ Fifty Shades of Grey ”. There I said it. Hope I didn’t offend 2 … In all seriousness… there’s a lot of talk goin’ on about the erotic romance novel and drama porn film. But I suppose this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, talking about purity and pornography should be encouraged in a time where sexual compromise is at an all-time high. Granted, it’s heartbreaking to come back to these issues only to find more people wearing blinders 3 covering their sensitivity to graphic eroticism and relational abuse. But I mean…think about it. Just because culture glorifies the fetish doesn’t mean my opinion belief in awe-fully 4 , amazing sex, as God intended, is invalid. Sure, I may be “old school” in the eyes of some, but at the end of the day, for something to be good, it also has to be right, just, pure, and honorable ( Philippians 4:8 ). And I’m sorry, but I’m not going to naiv...

There's something strangely romantic about the rain in Seattle. Something sweet and dear amidst the mist. I don't know if it's the emerald ambiance or the abundance of alpines. All I know is when I touchdown in Seattle, I'm usually  home. But after a four-year hiatus between my most recent visits, I've, no doubt had to revisit a chilling reality... ...one we all face at some point or another... ...and that is: times change. Relationships grow. While some estrange, others slow. 'Cause as the charm of childhood fades, as the innocence of youth dims, you begin to realize: you can't always pick up where you left off. And sometimes, the life you used to know isn't meant to be known anymore. So you press on… high on hope, yet down on the fact it still hurts… …lost somewhere between what was and what is, wondering why a hard reboot can’t reset life to the good ole’ days…and why a clean slate can’t woo a splintered ...

I don't know about you, but whenever I hear the word, " consecration ", I tend to let it wash over me. Not like I have anything against the word; I suppose I just grew up not finding it to be very relatable. Something about altars, memorials...ehhh. I'll be honest. I never gave it much thought when I was younger. But as I've found in recent years, consecration packs a pretty powerful punch!* 'Cause when we talk about consecration, what we're actually talking about is dedication...a celebration, if you will, of our  sanctification...and the privilege we have in  coming clean. But before you get all Hillary Duff on me, " selah " on this quick-hitter from Joshua 3:5 : “ Consecrate yourselves, for [this year] the Lord will do amazing things among you .” Whoa! That's pretty awesome stuff, isn't it? Knowing we can make an action a lifestyle...and in doing so, experience restoration and transformation through Christ. Le...

When we backtrack to Mary’s encounter with Gabriel ( Luke 1:28-38 ), we find a fascinating dialogue between the two. After Gabriel’s incarnational announcement to Mary, note her response in v. 34: "How will this be…?" Man...you talk about radical faith! I mean…Mary could have easily said, “Why me” or “ How can this be ”. But what does she do? She puts the emphasis on “will” over “can”…and I’m telling you, friends…the ramifications of what may appear to be a subtle variance is HUGE! For her response revealed a strong, anchored faith rooted in a God whom she trusted. Thus, by confessing, “How will this be” , she was essentially saying: “ I know this will happen. I just want to know how it will happen. ‘Cause all I know is what God says, goes …and I want to go with it !” So I believe this year needs to start and center on this heartcry (i.e. God is telling us: “ I have great things in store for you in 2015 .” We need to response: “ How will this be ?” --...

When you think back on 2014, what immediately comes to mind? LF : I really think 2014 was marked by clearing hurdles. The theme of mountains and valleys was huge. There were highs and lows, but the amazing thing is that every low was immediately followed by an awesome high. Overall, it was a good year with its fair share of challenges. CF :   I agree. To me, it was a “back to the drawing board” kind of year. Plenty of fine-tuning. If I had to sum the year up in two words, I’d go with “ successfully conquered ”. What were some of the highlights/defining moments? LF : The first thing that comes to mind is getting published on ‘ Darling ’ magazine's website. It was a poem I wrote for my mom for Mother's Day and it was exciting to share that. Also, seeing the youth engage in worship and leading by example, especially during November’s Wednesday Worship Experience, was amazing. Oh, and our one-year anniversary trip to Chicago...  CF : Yeah, our travels to Chicag...