My son is a well-behaved kid. Most of the time, if he needs correction, a short talk is all that is needed. Recently, however, his behavior required something stronger. So, after a serious conversation, I spanked him. As he looked up at me, I knew something was not quite right. He was holding back laughter. …
Monthly Archives: August 2014
The Moment I Wish Could Last Forever
If I could go back in time and make one moment last forever, it would be the evening of August 30, 1998. I was spending the weekend in Lufkin, Texas with two of my best friends, Keri and Brandon. They were helping me pursue the girl of my dreams –Jill Jarvis. My friend Keri was …
Road Trip: Ballardsville, MS
I knew it was going to be a great visit as I drove through the beautiful landscape. I even slowed down a little to take it all in. I smiled as I pulled into the parking lot of Ballardsville Baptist Church on Sunday morning. Next to my vehicle sat a new Ford truck with the …
Why it’s Great to be a Child
Remember when you thought “growing up” was going to be the best thing ever? “Adulthood” represented not having to eat your vegetables, or go run errands with mom, or do your homework, or finish your chores. The dream was to grow up and become independent so you could sleep late, watch tv all day, eat …
Are You Nyctophobic?
Nyctophobia –that’s the fancy term for fear of the dark. Like many children, my son occasionally claims nyctophobia when he doesn’t want to fall asleep. Funny how that works. I imagine, however, that my son’s nyctophobia is nothing compared to the ancient Egyptians experienced during the ninth plague. In Exodus chapter 10, we find Moses …
Navigate FAQ’s
I have had some wonderful conversations related to my book, Navigate. The following are five snippets from those conversations. You seem to emphasize Scripture as the primary means of navigating God’s will. Are you saying that God doesn’t use situations, relationships, and feelings to guide us? No, actually, I believe God uses all sorts …
What is a Catch 22?
Life is full of dilemmas. Many of them are solvable, but occasionally we encounter situations that are logically impossible to solve. For instance: Without experience it is difficult to obtain a job. And, without a job it is difficult to obtain experience. A person who needs to make a purchase will need credit. But Credit …
I Kill Flowers
Early in the Spring, I decided to plant some flowers to give my yard some color. I spent an afternoon working in the flowerbeds to get everything “just right.” In the weeks and months afterward I faithfully watered my plants. Fast-forward three months: Last week, I pulled up half of the plants –they were dead …
The Recurring Dream I Dread Most
I have a recurring dream that won’t go away. It’s the last day of my senior year in High School. I show up for class eager to graduate that night. After the bell rings, the teacher asks for our final assignments. I panic because I suddenly realize I haven’t been to class in months –and …
Some People…
If you have served as a pastor for any significant period of time, I imagine you are familiar with the phrase “Some people.” It always shows up in sentences such as: Some people are saying… Some people asked me…. Some people were wondering… Some people think… Some people are concerned… Etc. Of course, 99% of …