Category: My Story

Baseball, Bikes, and One Warning From My Mother

I grew up in Southeast Dallas, the old Pleasant Grove area.  During those years (1960’s), most of my memories of living in our neighborhood are good.  I don’t remember my parents being concerned about crime in our neighborhood.  Things were relatively calm in that neighborhood. In my memory, life was full.  Baseball in the summer… Continue reading Baseball, Bikes, and One Warning From My Mother

What I Have Learned in the Last Three Years

In December 2013, Charlotte and I moved to Memphis, Tennessee. I began working with Harding School of Theology, a wonderful seminary with some of the finest students anywhere.  We moved from our home of 20 years in Waco, Texas.  This was quite a transition.  For 36 years, I preached in primarily three different congregations in… Continue reading What I Have Learned in the Last Three Years

I Am Not Worthy

She sat outside our auditorium.  She sat in a folding chair, practically doubled over as if she was in pain.  She rocked and rocked.  Little did I know that she had a gun in her purse. She was deeply troubled.  She had been an alcoholic for many years. That night her eyes were bloodshot. I… Continue reading I Am Not Worthy

When the Encourager is Missing

At some point, by the grace of God, many of us have the opportunity to be influenced by an encourager. Very often, encouragers challenge us to imagine a future. They present possibilities. They inspire confidence. I once heard the following story about my grandfather and have since thought about it many times. My grandfather, John… Continue reading When the Encourager is Missing

Getting an Education from the Classroom to the Street

I need to be reminded that “the sovereign Lord is my strength” (Habakkuk 3:19). God has always wanted his people to depend on him. Yet, life at street level is often difficult. In fact, it can be very difficult. Years ago, I went to seminary. I studied and worked hard. I took courses in biblical… Continue reading Getting an Education from the Classroom to the Street

Steve Jobs and Those Seemingly Irrelevant Experiences

The Wall Street Journal recently printed a portion of Steve Jobs’s 2005 commencement address at Stanford. Sometime those experiences, skills, courses, can seem irrelevant. Yet, quite often, later in life they turn out to be a valuable part of who you are. I naïvely chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and… Continue reading Steve Jobs and Those Seemingly Irrelevant Experiences

Stuck in a Memphis Bathroom

I was stuck. Years ago, I had just finished taking a final exam at Harding Graduate School of Religion (Memphis). The test was not complete until late afternoon. I decided to spend the night and stayed at my friend Gary’s apartment. Gary worked nights and I would have the apartment to myself most of the… Continue reading Stuck in a Memphis Bathroom