David Blackwood

Thank you @booker.senate.gov @warnock.senate.gov @hankjohnson.house.gov for taking time during the shutdown to meet with my nephew’s class who had traveled from Macon, GA for a 5th grade trip to DC.

Obligatory “airport” photo as I wait for my flight to Kansas City. Excited for the next couple of days as I get to spend time with Adam Hamilton and other UMC pastor’s from across the US as we start the Emerging Clergy cohort. #BeUMC

I read "The Anxious Generation" and had many of the same feelings...

There is no Sunday nap like the Sunday nap after “springing forward” on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon.

Hear me out….I’m glad more people are engaging with Lent BUT it’s a little amusing watching non-denoms and other “low church” traditions “discover” this new spiritual season.

55 mile gravel ride today…these outdoor rides are the best thing for my mental health in these crazy times.

Disaffiliation hit the Southeast hard….my congregation was no exception. We are living faithfully into the future and this year we have had 3 new families regularly visit our church. One asked is the church “affirming”. I was able to answer “yes”. Praying 2025 is a year of growth and healing. #BeUMC

Looks like nice weather and earlier sunrises mean I have lost my excuses to NOT run. Time to catch up on that yearly mileage goal!

On a positive note this week I will cross 1,000 miles of cycling for the year. #runsky #bikesky

Go Philadelphia Bulldawgs! Fly 🦅 Fly!

The Gospel witness calls us to expect opposition and resistance to the work of God. If Jesus was rejected why would the followers of Jesus expect anything different. #BeUMC

Getting outside and riding through some beautiful farmland was the self-care I needed. Have you experienced “awe” this week?

Photos (at least my photos) can’t capture the beauty you can find on gravel roads in the country. #gravelbike #bikesky

Yes. His work definitely supports the value of liturgy and other spiritual practices offered by the church. Much of what we left behind seeking to be relevant needs to be rediscovered and offered to anxious distracted world looking for deeper meaning.

As a pastor it makes me want to make sure we infuse these important practices into all aspects of our ministries but especially to those that deal with children and youth.

Read the chapter on spirituality in “The Anxious Generation” by @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social
It left me encouraged that people need the practices and habits offered by religion. Therefore, the church, though struggling to find identity and purpose, can find an invaluable role in modern society

Removing social media apps like TikTok and Instagram from my phone has highlighted how much of an unconscious habit it was for me to open an app and watch short form media. Actively working to reclaim “lost” time with intentional engagement.

We’ve been above freezing for 3 hours since Sunday. This Southerner isn’t used to this kind of cold!

You know it's been cold when 36F feels relatively "warm" and "comfortable"....

If this #NationalChampionship game becomes an offensive game trading TD for TD then I don’t think Notre Dame can hang in…..

Thought about riding 30 miles to get “30 miles under 30 degrees” BUT I don’t think my winter gear is enough for these temps! Looks like indoor training on the Peloton instead.

No they will not and a 90 day “reprieve” will not change that either.

Both forecast cannot be right. Will we get #southernsnow round 2?

The “stoppage” and “return” of TikTok feels like a ploy to maximize political capital for Trump. Long term it seems unclear what Trump could do to keep TikTok operating as China has been unwilling to sell and the law has been upheld by SCOTUS.

Refs will do anything to bail out Mahomes.

I acknowledge that I have huge "blinders" as I have been working in the church world all of my professional life and in church my whole life. So...if you do not attend church why do you not AND what would make you consider getting involved in a local church?

Bring stick um back!

Curse of the bye….adjusting to new QB….or bad breaks? Whatever it is UGA has a big hole to dig out of in the second half.

That is the football universe correcting the no targeting call.

If that wasn’t targeting I have no idea what is…

6000 miles for the year completed today…