The transformation in our world from a time when slavery was a "peculiar institution" and a time when the notion of "purchasing" a human being is unthinkable is nothing short of wonderful! And yet, human trafficking is still a very real crime in our modern world, even in our own "land of the free."
Look…
I'm not a big, outdoorsy, guy. So, camping out was never something I really enjoyed, except for this one time. Me and my best friend, Mark, had a great "fort" in the woods near our apartment complex in Orlando when I was about 11 or 12. Being central Florida, the pine trees in these woods…
It was an incredibly moving experience. Dressed in their formal uniforms, the military guard walked to the casket holding the remains of the honored veteran and they began the mournful playing of taps as the color guard saluted. Then, with such attention, the two sailors began the methodical folding of the flag that had draped…
"Daddy, I don't have any friends!" It was a heartbreaking moment in the life of my daughter's young life, and it broke my heart for her. She was learning a lesson that we all have to learn: "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than…
Are you the jealous type? I guess with me, it all depends. I am jealous of my time. I am jealous of my schedule. But other than that, I can't say I really struggle with jealousy.
Oh wait, if I'm honest, I do have to admit I do get jealous when someone is being recognized for…
He really came across as wise. But something just didn't feel right. For the life of me, I couldn't put my finger on it. I liked what he was saying but I couldn't help feeling like I was being manipulated. Man, I hated this!
Here's the situation. I was a young man listening to this older…
Prejudice is always the ugly counterfeit to true discernment and good judgement. But we humans all too often confuse these realities to our own detriment. As a man who has grown up in the American South, I can readily attest to the sickness of prejudice in society, in communities, and in my own heart.
By God's…
"I will be Faithful"
Our busy lives really do challenge us in keeping our priorities in the right order, don't they? We moderns are a complicated mishmash of schedules, opportunities, affluence, and "freedom." And that multiplication of events, desires, hopes, and advertisements don't seem to be slowing down. It seems that each new day brings a…
"Fathers are indispensable!"
So, why is it so easy to take advice from a stranger, but not your own family? Alright, I'll confess to being a bit frustrated. Here's the story: I had a dear family member bend my ear for several hours about a problem. At the end of this marathon, I gave what I…
"It's a GREAT DEAL, I Promise!"
"OK, so what's the catch?" The guy had just given me his best pitch for a timeshare vacation package at the resort we were enjoying in the Dominican Republic. (Beautiful place, by the way). They told us that if we would go to this presentation that we could get exclusive…