Reboots & Fresh Starts

Reboots are all the rage in Hollywood. From limited specials like this week’s live rendition of All in the Family and Good Times to more traditional series like Will & Grace or Murphy Brown, not all reboots are received the same by an audience, whether a live one or at home on the couch. With original stories (and originality) apparently in short supply, it seems that the entertainment industry’s mantra is, “What’s old is new again.” That’s not just applied to “classic” television series. It can also apply to old blogs as well.

And, so it goes with “From Law to Grace,” a blog that I originally started in July 2010 in response to changes within the Southern Baptist Convention. Since that time almost ten years ago, I have written about the intersection of religion, politics, and law within our culture. Over the last five years, and particularly during the last three years when I lived in Virginia, my blogging was sporadic at best. There were multiple reasons for my slowdown, but, like many times in life, circumstances change as one season ends and a new season begins.

And, just like a good Hollywood rewrite, all of us — myself included — can experience fresh starts with the changing seasons of life. After living and working in northern Virginia in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for three years, I have recently moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico to serve as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church. Before moving to the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, my family and I had lived in Alamogordo, NM for nine years. We considered New Mexico home. For me, what’s old truly is new again.

Coming home to New Mexico and and starting a new ministry offers me a fresh perspective. We are never guaranteed second chances in life, although more often than we deserve, God gives us second and third and tenth chances. When we are so blessed, we should take every opportunity to bless others.

That’s why I am rebooting “From Law to Grace.” Through both words and pictures (they say a picture is worth a thousand words), I hope, in some small way, to be a blessing and encouragement to others through graciously reflecting on life and American culture. My reflections will be solely my own and will be from my unique perspective of a lawyer-turned-pastor. Readers may not always agree with my take on things, but my desire is that even in disagreement we can graciously communicate in such a way as to show respect to each other.

Please feel free to graciously comment on posts and to share your questions or suggestions. Feedback is always welcomed, whether you agree or disagree with my reflections on life and American culture. Thanks and God Bless.