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Category Archives: Branches Blog
5/8/22 Monday Matters: Respect the Office
Mother wounds and father wounds are perhaps the most painful emotional wounds of all. The pain we carry from the very people who were supposed to protect us is at the core of most of our emotional struggles. And yet, the Bible says, Honor your father and mother. Here are some thoughts about respecting the… Continue Reading
40 Days to Celebrate the Coming King
Consider taking the 40 Days before Christmas to intentionally focus on the Coming King and on growing deeper in your faith. I invite you to an online devotional time starting tomorrow and ending on Christmas Eve. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3. 1. We will do 1 thing together for the 40 days,… Continue Reading
Love Selectively?
I am surprised by the things that surprise me lately. Many months of semi-separation and isolation, a whole week of near snowbound, a winter’s worth of cabin fever, and Doris has finally gone over the edge. Now, you know she is one of the sweetest, kindest, most loving people on the planet. Anyone would say,… Continue Reading
Let Me Tell You Something
My mother-in-law was as Godly a woman as I have ever known. And she had one amazing gift. She could tick me off at the drop of a hat. It started when Doris and I were sitting with her parents on the front porch of their farmhouse. They were in one porch swing. Doris and… Continue Reading
What A Difference A Baby Makes!
One year ago today. It’s hard to believe. We got the call from Allison that we really did not expect for another week or so. “I think it’s time. Caleb is on the way.” Jacob was flying and now doing his best to get back home. Allison’s sister was in Houston. So Doris scrambled quickly,… Continue Reading
Stillness
My youngest son, Jacob, for several years was the “frontman” for the house band at Tootsie’s, an iconic honky-tonk in Nashville. The frontman is not necessarily the lead singer. He may not even be the most musical in the band. (Though of course, Jacob was.) The frontman is the guy that has a gift for… Continue Reading
What I Don’t Know About George Floyd
Let me tell you what I know after nearly 67 years on this planet. I do not know very much, and I certainly don’t know everything. In fact, most of what I THINK I know, I don’t know. Doris and I have been married 42 years. I think I know her more than any other… Continue Reading
My Life for Yours
A few days ago, I attended a fund-raising event for Siloam, a non-profit, primary medical care organization in Nashville. They have worked tirelessly for 20 years serving the underserved and marginalized in Davidson County, Tennessee. While their primary focus has been the burgeoning immigrant and refugee population of middle Tennessee, of late they have taken… 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