Five Ways Married Couples Can Love a Single Man

Categories: MarriageTags: · · · · 4 Comments

When I was single, I was terrified I would never marry.  But I was equally terrified I might marry the wrong person. If I married the wrong woman, I thought, I might end up with a wife who was subject to hormonal surges, occasional mood swings, weight fluctuations, bad habits, and bouts of irritability.  She might not share all my interests or always get my humor.  She might not like my music or always want to have sex.  She might, you know – like, be human.  And quite frankly, I wasn’t looking for a human; because so many of the humans I knew could…

A Word of Gratitude to my Vacation Bible School Teachers

Categories: ChurchTags: · · 3 Comments

I originally shared this post in the summer of 2015. Update: my little girls have grown up quite a bit and are now Vacation Bible School volunteers. To all my Vacation Bible School Teachers: My girls began attending their first Vacation Bible School yesterday, and throughout the day, I was excited for them.  They’re only five and three, so they can’t really appreciate why I love VBS so much.  But let me make it clear: it’s because of you.

For the Love of God, Let Go of that Flag

Categories: This and ThatTags: · · 8 Comments

Last week, I was vacationing in South Carolina when I drove past a billboard with a Confederate flag in the background and the words “Never Forget” emblazoned across it. I was embarrassed then, but as I thought about it this week, another thought crossed my mind: “How must African-Americans in South Carolina feel about that billboard as they grieve the murder of nine black church members in Charleston by a white supremacist?”

Microscopic Graces at the Swimming Pool

Categories: Loving Your NeighborTags: · · 3 Comments

Recently while my family and I were on vacation, my three-year-old daughter loudly asked the question every parent wants to hear in a public swimming pool: “Daddy, can I go pee pee in the pool?” A young mom with long, blond hair and a number of elaborate tattoos looked over at me and chuckled.  But I wasn’t sure if it was a laugh that said, “I’m judging you” or “That sounds like something my kid would say.”

When Arguing with Your Spouse, Pray for a Deer

Categories: MarriageTags: · · · ·

The other day, my wife and I got into an argument over whether we needed to buy a bike.  And although we recognize that this is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, somehow it escalated to the point that we were both starting to raise our voices.  But then my wife suddenly looked out the window behind me and said, “Oh my gosh.” I couldn’t help but look.

Our Earphones are Making us Deaf

Categories: Loving Your NeighborTags: 1 Comment

My wife will be embarrassed that I shared this with the general public, but at my old gym, I called myself “the Mayor.”  My fellow gym members were okay with me having the title though.  I earned it. I worked the room every day, making friends with almost everyone there.  But at my new gym, the days of friendliness are over, and it’s not because I’m less friendly.  It’s because everyone wears earphones now.