For years I thought I was the product of some odd genetic mutation. I am so different from my mother and father. How did I come from their gene pool? Both of my parents were very organized and detail oriented people. That is not me! My dad was a mathematical genius. That is not me either! The list could go on…What happened? Several years ago I started doing extensive research on my paternal grandparents. The experience was spooky in a…
It has been an interesting Mother’s Day. In 15 years, I have never had to miss a Sunday of preaching because I became sick at the last minute. Today was a first… The stomach virus hit late yesterday evening. I am just now thinking I might be able to join the living again. My sudden illness did not hinder my boys in honoring their mother. They went to early service this morning and arrived home an hour ahead of their…
The fall of 1981 still ranks as one of the most difficult and perplexing times in my life. I dropped out of Texas Tech as a sophomore that semester for a variety of reasons. I hated being a business major and accounting in particular. I had a good job that paid well, so why stay in school? And of course there was a girl involved. A very unhealthy relationship ended early on during the course of that semester. It was…
I feel like I should have celebrated my 28th birthday today, but it is not true. I turned 48 today. I can’t believe I am rapidly approaching the 50 mark! When May 1st rolls around every year, I always think of Sudie. Sudie Dean was born on May 1st, 1900. She lived to be 100 years old. I met Sudie as a very young minister in Wichita Falls almost 23 years ago. We soon started celebrating our birthdays together. I started…
Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. It is really not one of my favorite holidays. It is one of those days when I miss my mother more than usual. I even wrote about it last year on Mother’s Day. But I am not dreading it this year. Actually one of the speakers at the seminar this week provided some new and constructive insight regarding this annual holiday. The speaker was talking about boys and their mothers. As boys become men, they…
I may not come back to church. At least in Granbury… I worshiped with a small African American church just North of Chicago Sunday morning. I was the only Anglo among the group that day. I enjoyed the entire experience immensely. The traditions unique to their fellowship were refreshing. Several things stood out to me as I left services Sunday. Every single person introduced themselves to me. I mean everyone! They did not just offer a polite greeting. They introduced…
I got up bright and early this morning to make the weekly trek to Walmart. I really did not mind at all. The alternative was not a good one. Go to Walmart or stay home to clean house. It was a no brainer. I looked down the empty hallway, as I grabbed my coat. My mind started playing tricks on me. I saw two litlte boys building a fort in the linen closet. I heard Jan say: Don’t be so…
Pride comes before a fall…That is a well known biblical principle! If it is really true, then I better brace myself for a skinned knee or worse. I have been gloating lately. Several of my male friends have given the bride away recently. I must confess. I grinned to myself as I observed all of the expense and trouble of a nice wedding. I have sons. I will flip a few burgers for the rehearsal dinner and consider my…
I underwent the initial training to serve as a volunteer law enforcement chaplain almost exactly 20 years ago. One of the department’s deputy chiefs reminded us that the officers serving in the field would at some point be calling on us to minister to someone who was the perpetrator in the a criminal event. In other words, the person that the chaplain automatically views as the victim could very well be the perpetrator instead. The chief was right. In 1990, I…
Someday I want to build a home out in the country. I have a vision of its design in that little twisted head of mine. It will be two story with Granbury stone on the outside. It will also include a full basement and a large front porch. The kitchen will be roomy with plenty of counter space to prepare meals for large groups. My thought is this: I need three guestrooms with their own baths. Each son can come…