60 years most of them (I would claim) lagniappe something extra, but never promised. I could have found my resting place in 1983 as a log truck (sans lights), barreled down Hwy 165 in North Louisiana. I pulled onto the road, and for some odd reason on a moonless night, I hit the brakes as…
Why Your Character Still Matters
In 1996, when I was an editor at LifeWay, I spent a handful of days in the hospital. It was a difficult. I’d never spent a night in the hospital and we had four young boys. Needless to say, my wife was up to her ears in kid’s stuff and I hated that I…
Talking to Strangers
One of the great blessings in my marriage is this: My wife knows how to mingle. I just tag along. I’m not much a talker. As much as I’ve prayed for it, the Holy Spirit never anointed me with the gift of mingling. Perhaps something happened in my childhood or maybe it was that rule that I took…
That Click
Throughout most of the story, he is simply waiting for “the click” and that momentary ephemeral peace he craves.
Everybody Needs a Good Best Friend
Isn’t it inspiring when we see Forrest Gump running through the battlefield as bombs explode carrying his pal Bubba? We have to smile when we hear those simple, loving words, “Bubba was my best good friend, and even I know that ain’t just something you can find around the corner.” It’s true. Good best friends…
How Godly Humility Can Lead to Lasting Unity
5 Traits of a Humble Leader I don’t know about you, but I can’t wrap my brain around the task Moses faced. Can you imagine the pressure of being a leader and provider for thousands of people in the wilderness? And these weren’t perfect followers by any stretch. You can just imagine the voicemails and…
Call Me Desperate
As I read the Gospel, there’s something that stands out in so many narratives and backstories. Jesus loves desperate people. Whether it’s the pleading father, the paralyzed man whose friends tore the roof off a house, or the sufferings of the entire nation of Israel, desperate people always get His attention. I can remember times…
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Being a parent is the perfect metaphor of “two steps forward, one step back.” It’s just the way things work in parenting. I thought about that as my youngest son wheeled out of the drive in his ’99 Subaru, loaded to the gills with his belongings to venture from the nest and into the great…
Within
ever since the days of yellow buses and rocket shipsthat landed after lunar conquesti have yearned to see beyond this skinthe bold courageous Warriorthat lies within He triumphs over veiled conspiracythe grassy knolls of hostilityflying headlong into the undiscovered creeds of truthand that’s where i am before the thoughts slow downand the angels bring the grace of…
A Thankful-list
G. K. Chesterton once said, “The worst moment for an atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.” Well, I am not an atheist. I have Someone to thank. But as I’ve gown older, my gratitude list has become a little unexpected. My gratitude spans over many years, towns, jobs,…