“If I hear one more sermon on love I think I am going to explode!”

  That sentence was shared with me by a parishioner in a coffee shop in Nashville when the church I was working for was enduring a rough patch. Two distinct groups emerged and I will spare you the reasons we were divisive about, because if I share them it might make you leave the church or hate Jesus …

Happy birthday poem for Kaleb – Be the Man

You're growing so quickly that I can't keep pace, sometimes I wish God would slow down this race, stopping the world from spinning and ceasing all movement in space. But all I can do is jump-on to this boat called life, watching the world throw difficulties at you and strife, sad times, hard times and …

Mackenzie Poetry 1 – The Mask

A break from the series...I decided to write a poem. The Mask Sitting in the lobby I am moved by your existence. How could you love me, a sinner, broken in your presence? I am not the man I should be for I am filled with mediocrity. I am weak, timid, inconsistent and filled with …

Divine Essence and Creation

“The doctrine of the Trinity likewise provides the foundation for understanding this dimension of the act of creation.  As we have seen, God’s essence is love.  The dynamic of the Trinity is the love reciprocated between the Father and the Son, which is the Holy Spirit.  This central dimension of the essence of God – …

An Open Letter – Part 6 (Spouses and Families)

Dear Spouses and Families, It is with an emotional heart that I write this post for now I am speaking not only to the families of youth ministers abroad but I am also speaking to my own.  I want to start off by saying a big "thank you" for your sacrifice.  I know there are …

The Graduation Speech

[DISCLAIMER: It is 3,299 words so pack a lunch and read it then.] The Graduation Speech By Robbie Mackenzie (Preached at the Main Street church of Christ May 15, 2011)             I have done many things since I have been alive.  I have been to South America and Africa.  I have attended numerous World Series …

Aphesis 6 (Letting go)

My primary concern with this blog is that we must forgive people for what they have done to us or against us.  Jesus said this: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not …

Life does exist after 30

I have delayed writing this post much like I delay going to the dentist, doctor or even a car repair shop.  It is the self-discovery that I dread and the inevitable bad news that comes from a doctor's office or a repair shop that I loathe.  Nevertheless I drudge on through because it is only …

“It’s special to me!”

Have you ever thought about how ridiculous it is to pray to God about the daily minutia of our lives?  Why would God care about the deadlines I have for classes or why would God be concerned about my tires that need to be replaced?  I had a discussion with the youth group on Sunday …