On the list of men who had the most influence on my life as a young man, my father is at the top. Just behind him are my mom’s seven brothers. As a child, I saw these men as a living, breathing team of superheroes! They were The Magnificent Seven, The Avengers, The Justice League! … Continue reading A Few Words About My Uncle Vincent
I did not watch last night’s Academy Awards show live, but when my social media feeds began to sizzle with news of the altercation between Chris Rock and Will Smith, I quickly went to YouTube to see it for myself. What I saw both shocked and saddened me. What should have been a night to … Continue reading People Need Kindness and Compassion When They Mess Up
I love when God uses the world around me to illustrate his Word in extravagant color. In Matthew 18, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child … Continue reading Sometimes Kids Say the Most Amazing Things
Sunday, I asked my wife out for a movie date. After the busyness of a full weekend of travel and ministry, I thought it would be a great way to wind down before Monday made its way back around. Going to the movie theater for a show on the big screen is one of my … Continue reading Get the Whole Story
There's a story about my wife I share with people and today, I thought I would share it here because it has been on my mind lately in my sermon preparation time. If you've heard it before, bear with me. My wife and I were married on a blazing hot Friday afternoon in Las Vegas, … Continue reading Surround Yourself With Good People
Hindsight, as the saying goes, is 20/20. I believe it. As I look back over my life, one of the things I can see is the way God has used events and circumstances in my life to prepare me for ministry. For example, as a pastor, I am often called to hospitals to visit someone … Continue reading Standing By Vacated Tents
I first made the shift from New Year’s resolutions to goals in 2020! I was on the right track and then, well…2020 happened. The goals I set morphed into three subsets of one big goal: SURVIVE! The subsets looked something like this: 1. Don’t get COVID-19. 2. Don’t fail any of the classes I was … Continue reading Goals: The 2022 Edition
I did it! On December 11, 2021, I graduated with my master’s degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary. It has taken a lot of time and effort, and it’s been the reason this blog has been on hiatus. I had the honor of briefly sharing the story of my journey to obtain my degree … Continue reading I Graduated…Finally!!
This week and next, I am on vacation! Well…staycation, which is like vacation, only a lot less expensive. People in the church often ask me, when they hear I’ll be on vacation, where I’m going. My staycation answer is usually, “Nowhere... very slowly.” That’s the goal of staycation. My normal work week is go, go, … Continue reading What is a Staycation?
In my quiet time with the Lord, I read a verse in that grabbed my attention as a pastor. Near the very end of his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul gave some final instructions. He wrote, “And we urge you brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, … Continue reading Be Patient With Them All
The Stray Shepherd 