The first nurse I ever met was Inez Gilliam Crawford at Kings Daughters Hospital in Temple, Texas. She was my mother and that’s where I was born. The most recent nurse I met was last week at the Texas Health Hospital Clearfork Surgery Center where my wife was having hip replacement surgery. Separated by decades,…
Attending a baseball game recently, I had a flashback to my own playing days and this interesting reflection – I never hit a Home Run – not in Little League, Summer Baseball Camp, Pony League, High School, College, Semi-pro Softball, Church League Softball – not one Home Run. In a world where the Home Run…
It finally happened! I was introduced as an “old timey preacher.” The only time I dislike introductions is when I have to live up to one. So what were they expecting out of me? What is an “old timey preacher”? True, I’m older than most preachers who introduce me these days. Was the introduction because…
I have a question for those who speak of “praying on the armor every morning.” Why did you take it off the night before? I know. You say you can’t sleep with all that armor on. The Roman soldiers did, especially when they thought the enemy was near. The analogy to spiritual warfare and the…
I’ve always had books. I learned early the value of being well-read. My pastor-father had a large library and upon his death, some of it added to mine. Henry Ward Beecher, a clergyman and writer from an earlier generation, wrote, “A little library, growing every year, is an honorable part of a man’s history. It…
As a workaholic, I never cared much for solitude. Oh, I knew about it and my need for it, but I just never made time for much of it. I could quote Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God” and even learned the NASV translation, “Cease striving and know that I am…
The first call came when I was out of the country. It was a request for prayer. I promised not only to pray but make a visit as soon as I returned home. The second call came in less than a week – from his sister – one year ago this past week. Unfortunately, my…
I saw it again last week. Someone posted on social media, “We are in need of prayers sent our way.” I’ve written about this before, but it keeps reoccurring, apparently from folks who understand their need for prayer, but don’t understand prayer. The Bible is clear that all prayer is to be offered to the…
Last night I watched with great joy as grandson, Price, was baptized. Just two days earlier he and I had spent a long, extra-inning night, watching a college baseball playoff game. Someone said grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your teen-agers. Possibly so! Surely there are better quotes about grandkids. I Goggled for quotes…
On my return flight from Washington DC the following happened before take-off: (1) A lady seated two rows in front of me claimed she had allergies and could only sit in 1st class and was assured that she would be moved. When told there were no seats in first class she refused to sit in…