With one finger, he lowered the electric window of his Cadillac convertible. He was smoking a big cigar. He was a prominent businessman in our town. In our little church, he was our big giver. I was a young minister, newly married, and had been preaching in this little church for only a few months.… Continue reading Strenthening the Soul (13)
Category: My Story
Life Happened at Safeway
When I was growing up, much of my life was spent at Safeway. All three kids went with my mother for the weekly trip to Safeway on Buckner Boulevard in Pleasant Grove (Dallas). We entered the store and got a cart. I can remember the various stages of riding in the cart, standing on the… Continue reading Life Happened at Safeway
When Baby and “Poppie” Came Without Clothes
I got back from Nashville this morning at 2:00 AM. Charlotte and I were there for the birth of our first grandchild. Brody was born on Thursday at 5:03 PM. Of course he was born without clothes. A nurse wrapped Brody in a swaddling blanket. For several days in the hospital, he was wrapped in… Continue reading When Baby and “Poppie” Came Without Clothes
What Story Do You Tell Yourself?
This morning I readSeth Godin’s blog and really liked what he said. He asks a very important question: What story do you tell yourself about yourself? I know that marketers tell stories. We tell them to clients, prospects, bosses, suppliers, partners and voters. If the stories resonate and spread and seduce, then we succeed. But… Continue reading What Story Do You Tell Yourself?
The Apology
I used to drive a UPS (United Parcel Service) truck. Really. This was the job I had when I one day received an apology. I had been working for UPS during college. I was a student at the University of North Texas I worked at the Dallas location in the evenings, loading and unloading trucks.… Continue reading The Apology
What I Wish I Had Done Differently
1. I wish I had not wasted energy wanting to become important and instead choosing to focus on my significance in Christ. When I first became a minister, I noticed that some ministers seemed to be more important than others. (Yes, I know they are not. I’m just telling you that is the way it… Continue reading What I Wish I Had Done Differently
Now This is Different — Poem 1
Now this is different. At the bottom of this post is Poem 1. My first poem. I have wanted to try this for quite sometime. What better time to start since April is National Poetry Month. I wrote this with the patient encouragement of L. L. Barkat (Author of Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard… Continue reading Now This is Different — Poem 1
I’ll Take Mercy Over Fairness
I grew up in what seemed to be a very ordinary neighborhood. We didn’t have a lot of money. In fact most of us were just getting by. Down the street lived my friend. I thought that his dad just had to be wealthy. After all, he often wore chocolate brown and white wing tips… Continue reading I’ll Take Mercy Over Fairness
What Has Helped You Feel Less Self-Conscious?
I never intended to be a minister. Never. I grew up in a church. Over the years, there were probably a half-dozen ministers who preached at this church. As a child, I really didn’t know much about them. I only saw them from a distance. Yet, most of them seemed “different.” Not different in a… Continue reading What Has Helped You Feel Less Self-Conscious?
Arkansas Pines and Family Roots
We drove across the southeastern part of Arkansas last week on Highway 278. Our guardians were the pine trees on both sides of the road, standing tall and majestic. My uncle died and my mom and I were traveling to Monticello, Arkansas for the funeral. I love this part of Arkansas. It is a beautiful… Continue reading Arkansas Pines and Family Roots