Living Real

I’m certainly not as cool as Jonathan Acuff, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express — no, wait, that’s something else. Today, Jonathan is kind enough to make this humble blog a stop on his “Is that contestant on American Idol a Christian? Scorecard” major mega blog post. Of course, when he asked [...]

Sometimes God sets things up that you just sit back and wonder, “Why me? Wow! That was so cool!” Some of those events are highly charged, like my meeting with John-John, Josh and Angie. Others are just plain fun and fulfilling, like meeting Shellie Tomlinson and River Jordan on their “Southern Wing and a Prayer [...]

One thing I find odd about Christmas and Thanksgiving is that people notice hunger and poverty at these times. People who never think about the homeless or poor suddenly do at these times. They even notice that there are people who are doing without sitting beside them at church week in and week out. One [...]

You, my friends and family, are wonderful! So many of you complimented me — some even saying I’m photogenic (those who did should schedule appointments with your optometrists!) After listening to you and looking at the photos myself several times, we have chosen “The Photo” When Ramblings from the Shower: Integrity, Faith, and other Simple [...]

I’ve heard people talk about how children shouldn’t be taken on mission and/or ministry visits with us older folks when we go. I’ve had the joy of seeing my grandson’s life changed because we have invited him to join us on our visits to serve the homeless and poor in Knoxville. He’s seven. He’s also [...]

So many people mock the use of social media as self-indulgent, saying that it feeds an inner need for recognition. Okay. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn’t. However, just like the medium of movies, radio, television, and the Internet, it has its potential for good along with the bad. Three times just this past week [...]

Wednesday was a big day for me. I got up early, drove four hours to Atlanta, sat in on some pretty amazing talks (info from them to come later) then that night, I was blessed beyond belief to visit with and talk face-to-face with a large number of folks I've listened to for about a [...]

Innovate Conference doesn't start until tomorrow, September 24th, but my Innovate started today on the journey. This year's them is Exposed. I can't wait. It was at this conference last year that I received clarity of God's calling on my life. When I got the chance to come again, it was a cinch!  I was [...]

One of the unique things about Church of the Cove is the occasional church-wide camping trips we do. We reserve a couple of the group camp sites at Elkmont and invite folks to bring their tents and join. This past Friday was one of those camping trips. The difference this time was that we invited [...]

I lost a friend yesterday. Not in the way I’ve talked about before, but to an ugly killer known as cancer. Maryanne Tyson was a beautiful woman. Sparkling blue eyes that showed love and hope and a bit of mischief, too. Her heart was huge. She would listen to your woes, your foibles and your [...]

Heroes. Who are they? Definitely the guys and gals who serve in our military, defending our nation and all she stands for. Add in those who lay their lives on the line every day as law enforcement and firefighters.  I met some heroes of a different ilk on Tuesday. They are currently residents of the [...]

Things I've learned during this week of traveling on a mission trip with teens — about them, the people we've ministered to and me.  There are tons of things that happened this week which will forever be etched in my memory. Today, I share some of those with you.