Dear Cobham Park Church Family, As I write to you in my study, roofers are still going full steam somewhere over my head. I hear loud thuds, heavy dragging, scraping, pounding, the rap-tap-tap-tap of semi-automatic nail gunfire, and Mariachi music. These guys are definitely professionals. They showed up in the church parking lot early Monday… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, As a boy, I remember carrying our sailboat’s anchor with its heavy chain draped over my shoulder. The rusty links rattle as my brother and I together heave the anchor into the choppy water. Clink-clink-clink…PLOSH! As the anchor quickly sinks out of view, we feed it armfuls of line. Far… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, I grew up with a mother, and I’m currently married to one. I’ve also counted many mothers as friends. I’ve often observed, studied, and pondered various aspects of motherhood. But does all this experience make me a motherhood expert? Nope—not without personally conceiving, carrying, delivering, and caring for a new… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, Yes, I tend to overthink things—even with God. Instead of confidently diving into my life with Jesus each day, I often hesitate as I try to understand everything ahead of time. Rather than simply walking in faith, I’m easily detoured into the endless search for more evidence of God’s presence… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, Every day, I notice new litter in my yard by Richmond Road. As I enter or exit my driveway, I therefore pause to park my truck, hop out, and pick up discarded bottles, cans, food wrappers, lottery tickets, construction debris, and other trash. Every. Single. Day. I know that I’m… Read More »

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God…” —I John 4:7a (ESV) Dear Cobham Park Church Family, Many people find art galleries boring, but I enjoy meandering through roomfuls of paintings. I’ll often stop to study and appreciate a picture, and my imagination takes me into the mood and details of its… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, After days of hard work, the December newsletter was finally in the mail. It had been written, edited, arranged, and proofread—but obviously not enough. The following day, I was feeling pleased with myself. But my mood changed when a glaring typo was brought to my attention by friends in the… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, It’s been exciting to see you taking initiative to serve Jesus in new ways! You are increasingly stepping out with fresh vision, leadership, and work in ministry. This summer, we had Vacation Bible School for the first time in years. Our Fall Festival, Christmas Parade float, and New Testament distribution… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, I have a close friend whose work takes him abroad for years at a time. He’s spent much of the last decade in the tropics of southeast Asia. I once asked this man what he missed about Virginia, and he answered without hesitation: “I miss the change of seasons most… Read More »

Dear Cobham Park Church Family, Whatever happened to common sense? In today’s world, things that should be straightforward are often ridiculously complicated. Examples might include tax returns, gender, or horseback riding. Yes—you just read correctly: even riding a horse can now require pages of fine print and a shrewd attorney. Tammy and I once celebrated… Read More »