Pastor Dad

It doesn’t matter what it is. New is cool. New is fun. New is, well, new . Nothing smells better out of the box than new shoes. But a new car smell is pretty awesome. New clothes always look better than the ones you have already washed even once. I remember when we moved into all of our houses and that “ new ” feeling. My wife thinks new purses are gifts from heaven. I remember when she got me the golf clubs for Christmas. I couldn’t wait to try out my new clubs. They were clean, shiny, and held hope that I could actually play the game (that’s all; Hope). Even a new job brings excitement and adventure. A new boss, while you may worry about personality or demeanor, even brings a little excitement. I like to try new places to eat, visit new places, and I know it’s strange but I like to drive down roads I have never been on. For young people, and old alike, new relationships put a spring in their step. It’s a phenomenon. New is the new , well, new . But not necessarily

Busy, busy, busy. That’s how the past six days have been. A whole lot going on. I haven’t yet decided on what to properly inform you on so I’m going to think on it while I type. If you see something that interest you then send me a message or comment and I will elaborate justly.       Thoughts of the day… Last week was nuts. At one point on Wednesday, there were two people from the church in Blount memorial at the same time. One on 2E and one in the cardiac unit. Both were critical at the time so I spent a couple of hours taking the stairs between floors visiting and praying. Both families were great and understood that I was seeing both. One had a successful quadruple bypass on Thursday morning and the other gave up her fight and went on to be with Jesus. It was bitter sweet. She was a strong believer and is better now but it still hurts those left behind. Friday left for Charlotte NC for Jordan’s basketball tournament. The GPS said it would take 4.5 hours to get there. I made

My kids are growing up fast; too fast. Kelcey is about to be 22 in September and Jordan just turned 17. As I think of them, I can’t help but think how much they have taught me by letting me teach them. Let me explain. The most knowledge gained has to be on long car trips. The longest we have taken has been to Florida or Myrtle Beach. Transporting a family from one city to another is closely akin to God transporting us from our home to his. And some of life’s stormiest hours occur when the passengers and the driver disagree on the destination. A journey is a journey, whether the destination is the beach or a more heavenly one. Both demand patience, a good sense of direction, and a driver that knows the destination is worth the hassles in the midst of the trip. The time I am remembering is some 12 years ago. And the fact that my pilgrims were all under the age of 10 only enriched my learning experience. As minutes rolled into hours and the car rolled through the hills, I began t

           We are in graduation season. I attended the pre-school graduation of my very not-so-stage-frightened niece, Annabeth this morning. She was fabulous as only she can be. Saturday was Maryville high’s and tonight is William Blount and Heritage. Even the University of Tennessee graduates last week and more this week.   Many popular figures and politicians are invited to speak at these graduations to offer some “life lessons” for the graduates. Since the chance of me getting invited to speak at one of these ceremonies is slightly better than the snowball’s chance I thought I would write one anyway and share it with you. You’re excited I’m sure. But, here goes anyway:             “Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, distinguished guests, and colleagues ( haha I thought that fit ), today we all put a mark on the calendar of life. Another milestone achieved, another box checked, and maybe for some, an unexpected surprise.             You will wake up tomorrow and no longe

Usually on Thursday I try to finish up my message for the coming Sunday. Lots of reading and studying and thinking. Reading the bible and other books pertaining to the message. Trying to study subjects and even Hebrew and Greek words (I’m not that smart). But also thinking. And this is where the train left the track. Not sure why, but I can’t focus this morning. I’m not sure if it’s because of last night. You see, Tammy and I went to bed around 10:30pm. At that time, Kelcey and Jordan were in the Jacuzzi outside. I usually am the last to go to bed but Wednesdays are looong days for me and I was tired. We went to bed and apparently fell asleep quickly because at 11:20pm I heard a phone ringing. I looked at my phone on the nightstand and I had missed 2 calls ( from Jordan ). It would seem that when Tammy went to bed she made sure (as she always does) that the house was sealed up like Alcatraz locking out our two hot tub hotties. It was a little cool last night so when I got to the bac

            They’d do it again. I’m confident they would. The disciples of Jesus would get into the same boat and ride through the same storm. They’d do it again in a heartbeat. Why?             Because through their storm they saw the Savior.             Here is what the verse says: “Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”             After he calmed the storm, they worshiped him. They had never, as a group, done that before. Never. Check it out. Open your Bible and search for a time when the disciples corporately praised him.             You won’t find it. You won’t find them worshiping when he heals the leper. Forgives the adulteress. Preaches to the masses. They were willing to follow. Willing to leave family. Willing to cast out demons. Willing to be in the army. But only after the incident on the sea did they worship him. Why?             Simple. This time, they were the ones who were saved. This time, their necks were r

             I am 40 years old until July 12 th . I am 6’1” tall and weigh 205lbs and white. I tell people that last sentence is why I don’t play professional basketball. I am a Pastor of an awesome church in Maryville, TN. It isn’t awesome because I’m the Pastor; it’s awesome because of the awesome people that go there. Pretty awesome, huh?             I want so badly to serve Jesus with everything in me. It isn’t blind faith or one-sided love but a decision I made several years ago to follow His teachings that have made me a better man. As I have read and studied the Bible I feel the Holy Spirit attempting to guide my life. I say attempting because I don’t always listen. I want to make a splash for Jesus. Whatever and wherever that means I want to do it.             I am in love with a crazy redhead. Tammy is beautiful, smart, fiery, loving, mean, sweet, and incredibly sensitive. People, she is a crybaby. I mean she cries telling stories that have nothing to do with her. Old peo