Today is DeDe and my 37th wedding anniversary. Wow. This story, from Deep Roots, expresses how I feel after all of these years.   Running through the Lobby: 8 short minutes; 30 years ago It’s nearly midnight– Mountain Daylight Time on the last night of a great Writers’ Conference. I’m sitting on the floor in the Marriott Denver lobby. (I’m …

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a memorable person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall.  A Good Epitaph to Have. . .   Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked along the seawall in Galveston, I …

Thanks to each of you that pray for our life and ministry. Here are three prayer requests for this week: Beginning Tuesday, I’ll be camp missionary at Piney Woods Baptist Encampment near Corrigan, Texas. Pray that God will plant missions seeds through the stories and pictures I share. DeDe begins a new teaching job this week. Pray that the Lord …

You’ll enjoy this You Tube video of our whale watching trip.  Wow! The Week that Was My 2016 mantra is simple: Stay Curious. Be Amazed. Share about it.   It’s pretty simple. It’s who I am. At age 60, I am committed to remaining a curious soul.  I also wish to be amazed by the world around me.  Amazed. Not …

    Funny Things in Church It seems often that hilarious moments occur during the most serious and solemn events. Many of the funniest things I’ve ever seen have happened in church. I guess it is because a great part of my life has been spent in the pews, and I have this really bad habit of watching people. I’ve …

This post is from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. Enjoy!   Most Likely to Succeed It was Saturday in the middle of the busy summer camp season. After a great week of youth camp, I was enjoying lunch with some of our summer staff. Across the dining hall, a group from East Beauregard High was having their ten-year …

This is a hidden gem from our first book,  Stories from the Creekbank. Enjoy! Mrs. Helen Every season at Dry Creek is beautiful in its own way. The winter months are no exception. Winter group campfires are my favorite event at the prayer garden. My favorite campfire story is about a lady called Mrs. Helen. Mrs. Helen came with a …

Looking back over the week Wet footprints I walk on the porch where six generations of my people have stepped. I’m at the Old House on the edge of Crooked Bayou Swamp. It’s a place of solitude as well as loneliness. I need both in my life. It’s where I go back to get my feet back on the ground. …

Reas Weeks   I never knew Reas Weeks . . . but I sure know some good stories about him. Reas (pronounced “Reese”) was a bachelor in Dry Creek who lived on the bank of Bundick Creek. He lived way back in the woods, never owned a vehicle, and supported himself by fishing, hunting, and gardening. Mr. Frank Miller always …

Be Still and Know On a beautiful Spring Saturday, my three sons and I went to work on the nature trail at the camp. As we hiked through the woods with our saw, pruning shears, and other gear, we were filled with the camaraderie of boys and dads in the woods. My youngest son, Terry, who was four, waded through …

    Yesterday’s post concerned the issue of land ownership in Uganda.  If you missed it,  you can read,  “This Land Ain’t for Sale” here.     The story featured in both the podcast (audio) and post (below) is called “The Friendship Lane.”  It’s one of my favourites on the art of getting along. The podcast is a early draft …

He was a man and faith and everyone’s favorite.   These are remarks from the funeral of my hero, Jimmy Barrett. The purpose of a memorial service is three-fold: We celebrate a life well-lived. If anyone ever accomplished this, Jimmy Barrett did. Secondly, we gather to walk with the family in their grief. If any family ever took care of …

A quick note: I depend on friends and readers for prayer support. I need it and don’t take it for granted. Here are three needs for the week:   I am taking part in today’s funeral service for my lifetime friend and mentor, Jimmy Barrett.  Jimmy was a principal, deputy, and a favorite of everyone in the Dry Creek area. …

  Friends gave me a copy of Bethel Baptist Church minutes from 1900. This resolution touched me.  It’s a reminder that all of us should take time for self-examination, repentance, and renewal.     DeDe celebrated her birthday this week.  This is our Life Group who surprised her.                 This past week I met with …