Aug 4
I wanted the job. I wanted it badly. And a few weeks after making it to the final round of interviews, I learned that I had just missed the cut.
I called my friend Shon to share the bad news.
“Is the door totally shut?” he asked. Read more
Jun 30
I got my big chance to be a movie star in eighth grade when casting director David Rubin came to Petal, Mississippi, in search of a kid to star in an upcoming Kevin Costner film called “The War.” With great excitement, I got my brother-in-law to drive me to the local high school for my audition. Read more
Dec 23
It was my worst Christmas ever, and it all got ruined by a pine tree, laundry detergent, and some really good intentions. Read more
Dec 6
A few years ago, on Christmas Day, a friend was celebrating with her family when they heard a single, loud pop outside. They didn’t think anything of it, but soon the sound of sirens filled the neighborhood.
Their neighbor had walked out to the back patio and shot herself. Read more
Nov 23
I have a friend who will have an empty seat at his Thanksgiving table this year. That seat belonged to his father, who died recently.
A few days ago, a doctor told another friend that his dad probably wouldn’t live to see Thanksgiving next year.
I have yet another friend who was in a car accident and is in the hospital with serious injuries right now. He will be having Thanksgiving there. Read more
Sep 10
Several years ago in my hometown, a man was driving down the highway with his wife when a tree fell down across the highway, landed right on the cab of their pickup truck, and killed them both.
Later that week, I was in a church service in which the pastor referenced the freak accident and said, “Do you think that kind of thing happened by accident? There’s no way.” Read more
Aug 11
I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing when, at nine years old, I was baptized by my father in a river – and I'm OK with that.
There are people who think nine years old is premature for a person to be baptized. I'm actually surprised my parents didn't have me do it sooner. Read more
Jun 28
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” says Scripture. A lot of us feel sick with unmet hopes and unanswered prayers right now.
I know people who are waiting on jobs, babies, marriage, healing, and restoration of relationships, among other things. The needs are as unique as the people and their circumstances.
I’m in my own race right now, and yesterday I wrote some thoughts to put words to what it feels like. Maybe you can relate. Read more
Jun 14
“Gross.”
That’s typically not the word I think of when contemplating a miracle Jesus performed, but there’s one exception. Read more
Jun 7
I have this one childhood memory that used to haunt me. When I was in first grade, a careless adult did a great deal of damage with very little effort and it seemed like the hurt from that incident couldn’t be undone. Read more
