In the fall of 2022, we purchased a 1980’s, Fox Body Mustang for our son for his sixteenth birthday. The plan was for the car, lovingly named Miss Betty Blue, to function as a rolling restoration project. She would serve as JJ’s daily driver and we would repair, replace, and upgrade various portions of the vehicle as both money and time allowed. Miss Betty Blue is now an overpriced decoration...
More Than YOU Can Handle
“God will never give you more than you can handle.” I can’t tell you how many times this phrase has been uttered to me throughout my life. My guess is you have heard or even used this phrase yourself at some point in time. The phrase undoubtedly comes from the right heart. The only problem is the message communicated is wrong. Even the most blessed of lives will have a fair share of moments that...
Styles and Struggles: You Can Pull Off Anything You’re Willing To Put On
I would be the first to admit that I am not the most fashionable of people. Throughout my life, I have lacked both the resources and desire to keep up with the swirling vortex of ever-changing trends. While I may not stay in style, I do have a style all my own. One way this style is expressed is through my diverse collection of shoes. Many of my selections have been described as eccentric...
Behind the Curtain
The Wizard of Oz is arguably the most popular movie of all time. According to the Library of Congress, “[The Wizard of Oz] has been seen by more viewers than any other movie.” The same Library of Congress post notes that a poll by People Magazine declared it “the favorite movie of the twentieth century.” The film was originally released back in 1939, celebrating 84 years of existence this past...
When Words Fail (The Power of Presence)
In my years of pastoral ministry, I’ve officiated more funerals than I can count. Each of them, in various ways and to differing degrees, weighed heavily on my heart and mind. Even at times when the service was a celebration of a long life shared with a legion of well-loved family and friends in faithful service to the Savior, my heart hurts for and with the family and my mind strains to find the...
The Rooster Crows: The Call of Jesus
The meanest and scariest creature I have ever encountered was a rooster. If you want an animal to protect your family and property, forget about an attack dog; Get yourself an attack rooster! As a teenager, some friends and I used to head over to the home of a local farmer friend for occasional bonfires. He had the most aggressive and intimidating rooster I have ever seen. Those of us who had...
Celebration and Sorrow (Such Is Life)
Today’s date is Monday, October 17, in the year of our Lord 2022. And so, it is with great joy that I wish you a very happy Bosses Day! Though the day will have passed by the time you read this, I’m sure you celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm. Here at the offices of First Baptist Church, my Office Czar, as we call her, brought me a box of doughnuts in recognition of this most august of...
Somebody Knows; Somebody Cares
Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen is an old African-American spiritual song, first published in 1867. The original version of the song was written during the time of slavery. While the author remains unknown, the song has been covered and adapted numerous times over the years. The original lyrics of the song are as follows… Nobody knows the trouble I’ve been through Nobody knows my sorrow Nobody...
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
Much like most other elementary schools throughout these United States, trips to the library were a regular part of our schedule. I can still see the layout of the library in my mind’s eye. In my early years, I was not what you would call an avid reader. I was never diagnosed with ADD, or any of those lists of letters that indicated it, but attention was not a form of capital of which I had an...
Heaven and Hell (Here and Now)
Music has a way of speaking to and challenging me in ways that few other mediums do. I have a deep appreciation for quality lyrics that not only worm their way into your ears, but work their way deep into your soul. I appreciate songs that compel me to pause the progression of my playlist to repeat and process the concept or ideas that are being presented. Certain songs just hit different. They...
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