Living Real

I’m learning that how you feel about how you look gets pretty much thrown out the window when you’re wearing a cast. Oh, I know, there are those who would accessorize it and make it so adorable. What I’m talking about is how you feel while wearing it. Imagine, my haute couture of this past [...]

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, [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

WARNING: If you’re a fan of Tennessee football, you might find this post sacrilegious. I’ve lived in East Tennessee almost half my life. I understand, for the most part, Big Orange mentality, or I thought I did. Until this past Tuesday. Now I wonder what is wrong with these people who call themselves Volunteers and [...]

I have been challenged the past several weeks by some words.  "In the same way, when you obey me, you should say, "We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty." In my black & white mind, I agree wholeheartedly. I confess, though, in my flesh, I want more. I want people to see [...]

About a year ago, Jack and I were having dinner out at our favorite little Townsend Restaurant, The Back Porch. After placing our order, he held my hands across the table looking very uncomfortable as if he had something to tell me, and he wasn’t quite sure what my reaction would be. He said, ”I don’t [...]

How amazing is it when God hears our prayers and answers them! I've asked for the past several days, in preparation for Catalyst, that He would speak very plainly to me through this time. Oh how He has done so!  Today I listened to Him speak through Andy Stanley as He shared words he'd learned [...]

John-John's introduction to me wasn't exactly cordial. As I talked to Josh about us all being messes that God cleans up, John-John walked up and started trying to drag Josh over to where he'd been sitting with some other people. John-John told Josh that "Mama" wanted him to come over and sit with them. It didn't [...]

I met Josh under a bridge in Knoxville last month. He walked up to the place where our students (The ConneXion) were grilling and serving plates of hamburgers with chips and a dessert.  His left eye was red and the bruising was already beginning to show. He was shirtless, wearing denim shorts that were too [...]

The last Live Love event that our student ministry, The ConneXion, had (September 13th) was so full of stories, it has taken me almost a month to sort it out (okay, so I procrastinated, too). I will break it down into several posts so that they are more digestible. Enjoy. This Sunday evening started out [...]

Last year, Anne Jackson asked an unnerving question on her blog.  “What is one thing you feel you can’t say in church?” Unnerving because in its simplicity it brought forth a torrent of things that should never be held back, yet have been for reasons that desperately need to be examined — not on the [...]