Our pastor preached on being blessed yesterday. What does it really mean? How do we get blessed? What is the result of being blessed? I grew up in tiny Nazarene churches in SC. We would often talk about being blessed. Grandma Simmons was the best at being blessed that I knew. She also was a great… Continue Reading
Fences
Deuteronomy 5 Many Christmases ago, Josh and Jacob gave me a very special present. I had always wanted a chocolate lab, a brown Labrador Retriever, not a chemistry shop where you make chocolate. That would be Doris’s special present. I’m getting sidetracked. We opened the last gift under the tree. The boys went out into… Continue Reading
Observe
Jon-Mical is an observer. Jakson is a toucher. My two grandsons are smart, and fun, and full of life, but when it comes to the basic approach to the day-to-day stuff of living they are as different as night and day. Jon-Mical is a few days away from 10. He is quiet, soft spoken, very… Continue Reading
Can We Talk?
Deuteronomy 3, Proverbs 3, I Corinthians 3 Joan Rivers made a career out of the phrase, “Can we talk?” Somewhere in the middle of her monologue, she would pause, take a deep breath, and then utter the words the crowd had been waiting for all night long. “Can we talk?” Usually what would follow would… Continue Reading
Landed
Deuteronomy 2 The history of the Israelites has always been connected to the land. Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, whatever name we give it, the land has been at the heart of the people of Israel. It has been the symbol of the blessings of God for them. When they were doing well… Continue Reading
History Lessons
I have always liked history. My 8th grade history teacher was named W.W. Davis. Isn’t that cool? If you grow up with the initials W.W., you are destined to be a history teacher. He had horned rim glasses and a handlebar mustache. He always wore a bowtie to class and he fiddled with it when… Continue Reading
Post Simply Free
Post Simply Free Gena is beautiful. She is articulate. She is poised and has a natural stage presence. She also finished a ten-year prison sentence for vehicular homicide about a year ago. While she will always live with the guilt and regret of that drunken night, God has removed the shame and has given her… Continue Reading
Worry and the Tobacco Stick
Jakson came to my office last night. That statement is not a HIPPA violation. Jakson is not a client. He is my grandson. Six years old, absolutely packed with energy and vinegar, Jakson is all boy and all activity. Now my office has some interesting things. There is a native djembe that someone gave me.… Continue Reading
Simply Free
Ten years ago, God was doing some amazing things in our lives. (He still is!) Branches had just been born. We were given a building to use rent free while we got off the ground. God was already bringing counselors to us that are still with us today. Doris and I were watching this amazing… Continue Reading
17-0
Jakson played his last baseball game of the year last night. They are in an elite league of hand-picked eight year olds. Jakson’s team is not. They are not eight, most of them are six, and they are not elite. They are cute, they are special, they are loved by their mommy’s and daddy’s; but… Continue Reading