Living Real

Reading in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 we read a story that Jesus told, likening the Kingdom of Heaven to a field planted with good seed.
The farmer planted good seeds, wheat. Then, that night, the farmer’s enemy came and planted weeds in the field with the wheat. The farmer’s loyal workers are all up in arms and [...]

Americans are such racists. By and large, all of us are.  Whether you’re black, white, red, yellow or whatever.
We argue amongst ourselves about racial equality — primarily between black and white. It’s amazing, however, to see how those racial lines seem to disappear into a form of unity when our American race is challenged.
Take the [...]

I’ve held my tongue, but no longer. I simply have to brag about my daughter-in-law.
A couple years ago, she was in training to take over one of the local Sonic stores as an owner. (As if that’s not enough to be proud of!) While at one of the stores in Knoxville late one night, a [...]

I must make a confession.
There’s a television show on A & E Television about people who hang on to items that they really can’t use, until it essentially chokes the life from their life.
I am a hoarder.
For years I’ve hoarded chips & dip, candy bars, too much steak & shrimp, and bread, and dessert [...]

The trip away was great. Had I not gone, I would have missed out. Today, I’ll share the briefest (yeah, right) of summaries, then through the week, I’ll unpack these with more detail.
Wednesday, we took the long (really long) way from Townsend to Anderson. We stopped at Sticky Fingers in Chattanooga for lunch, then talked [...]

This week has started off to be just like any other week. Work on website, work on newsletter, work on bulletins, work on writing — general busy-ness. Add in the waiting on Tuesday for a bed to be delivered and set up, and don’t forget packing for the trip we leave on Wednesday and stay [...]

I met a man unlike any I’ve met before. I’ve known those who feel hopeless and afraid. I’ve met those who though they spoke with little hope, their eyes showed they were filled with it. Last night, I met James.
He was different. He was given up for adoption at age 5 by his parents. They [...]

The needs in Haiti are still very real and intense. All money raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to re-equip Compassion’s local support structure and to provide for the immediate needs of Compassion-assisted children and families.
Compassion has been meeting the physical and spiritual needs of Haitians for more than forty [...]

Matthew Paul Turner, author of a book I highly recommend, Churched, One Kid’s Journey to God Despite a Holy Mess, has written another book, Hear No Evil, My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost. It will be released tomorrow, February 16, 2010.
I have a certain appreciation for the works of Matthew, because I’ve [...]

Did you stop on this page because of that title? Did the words resonate within you or make you angry?
AWESOME! At least you’re thinking now.
I have to tell you the truth, though, I will not advocate the cessation of aid to Haiti. Simply because of the facts shown in this video:

Let’s recap those and think [...]

Not long ago, I tackled the subject of giving to those who have been devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. I am still of the mind that we — especially believers in Jesus Christ — should be lending a hand in any way possible.
I am still of the mind that we are supposed to already [...]

Reading through Hosea I found this in chapter 2, verse 16:
“When that day comes,” says the Lord, ”you will call me `my husband’ instead of `my master.’”
Okay. What’s that mean?
Think about those words and what they mean to you. For me:
Master ~ “I will serve you and follow you because I have to. I’m bought and paid [...]