Pastor Dad

I wrote this several years ago before I even knew what a blog was. So, for all of you that I have just recently met or have just started reading, here is a little insight into our family… It was around March 20th 1995. I was sitting in the floor of my living room eating cereal watching my 3-month-old son. It was around 10am or so when the phone rang. My wife was working at the bank and her mother had taken our 4-year-old daughter to the doctor. Her symptoms weren’t catastrophic, sore back, went to the bathroom a lot, the usual symptoms of a little girl with a bladder infection. I answered the phone and cannot remember who had called but it wasn’t good news. Kelcey had more than a bladder problem she had a pancreas problem. I loaded Jordan in his seat and headed to pick Tammy up at the bank and then on to the doctor’s office. We arrived to Kelcey sitting in the lobby coloring with one of the nurses. Dr. Baxter told us that Kelcey had an unusually high amount of glucose in her urine...

I have decided to run for President…of Blount County. I know it isn’t a position yet but I want to be ready when it is created. If you fail to plan then you plan to fail people. I have always thought I should be in politics because I usually bring out the best and worst in people. Very few people are on the fence about me that really know me. They either hate my guts or are in my corner completely! I've obviously got what it takes! Fundraising is key. Apparently you can decide on who is prez without even watching the voting. Just pay attention to who raises the most money in national politics and somehow they get elected. Now is this the same government that says McDonalds is not good for our kids and must be regulated because they are taking advantage of people by advertising? Hmmmmmm. Double standard maybe? Sorry, I got sidetracked. Fundraising. Obama can bring in $30,000.00 per plate by having a dinner at Vince Carter’s home in Florida. I should be able to get $10 a per...

Dear Heavenly Father,             I just want to say thank you for today. It has already been a great day and it isn’t even 4:30pm. I actually enjoyed taking Jordan to his diabetes appointment. We got to spend the morning together and got a great report from the endocrinologist. Not to mention since it was a lot of the same workers at clinic that was there when Kelcey went there, I got to brag on how good she is doing when they asked about her. Our kids are awesome and we know we didn’t have much to do with that but you do. Thank you for my kids.             Father, I am so thankful for Tammy and all that she is and what she does for me. I enjoy being her husband, lover, friend, but mostly I love being her protector, provider, and priest. I am blessed. She is beautiful, amazing, and as crazy as it sounds, crazy about me. Thank you for my wife/friend. We have some gr...

I received an email that contained a list of “actual” statements found on employee evaluations. Now the rule to reading this is to fight the urge to place names of family, co-workers, friends, acquaintances, or any other person to the comments. That isn’t nice and you need to remember that someone is probably attaching your name to one as well. Anyway, from a former supervisor that performed evaluations, these are hilarious: Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. Works well when under constant supervision and when cornered like a rat. When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet. He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle. This young lady had delusions of adequacy. He sets low personal standards and consistently fails to achieve them. This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better. He doesn’t have ulcers, but he is a carrier He’s been working with glue too much He brings a lot of...

The names in the following account have been withheld to protect the innocent and the guilty. I had breakfast with an old friend this morning. I haven’t talked to him in a very long time but I remember him. He was great. He was the most optimistic guy I have ever known. I mean, he was so positive he could make a death row inmate smile. He thought that God was the answer and everything else was just for show. He was a preacher and a good one. He spoke with passion, loved people, and had a knack for having the right word at the right time. I guess he was a better pastor than he was a preacher. People gravitated toward him like a nail to a magnate. Always smiling, always energetic, always positive. I cannot remember him expressing negative feelings.  But he had a lot on his mind today. The ministry had taken its toll. Feeling the responsibility for so many people’s marriages, finances, children, and overall well being had jaded him more than I thought it would. He spoke ...

Wow! Wow! Wow! That is the only way to describe my 22 nd wedding anniversary. Yesterday was crazy busy. I had planned to take Tammy to the movies. I would get her windows tinted on her new car. Run to my basketball practice with our precious, sometimes trying, 3 rd grade girls team and then Jordan would bring Tammy to the gym before he had to be at the church. I know, I was pushing it but it was possible (I hoped). As I am running to west Knoxville to get her car done, Tammy called. She said she didn’t want to go to the movies that the movie she wanted to see didn’t come out till today so she wanted to wait till Saturday night. I was a little bummed. I always want special days to be special and I felt like my busy schedule had let us down; AGAIN! She said that she would fix us a dinner and we could celebrate at home. Great, she was taking care of the night instead of me (I don’t like it)! I like doing stuff for her. Now I know I’m not any busier than most of you but some...

No I'm not 22 years old today. I know I may look like it (plus 30 years) but I'm not. No silly this is a significant day. This day is a reminder for Tammy (kinda like Pearl Harbor). She looks at this day with great anticipation (like the movie groudhog day, I'm sure, here we go again). But enough self esteem building for me! So 22 years ago today I got married. I didn’t marry my best friend (starting off great huh?). I didn’t marry the person that I had been with for 100 years and knew I was going to marry for 99.9 of those years (not looking good is it?). Obviously writing isn't my strength, ya think? I married Tammy. Tammy was absolutely gorgeous (still is today). Funny thing about our story is that when I first met her I thought she was around 15 years old. I was 18 at the time and there was no way I was dating a 15 year old. No way! Ain’t happenin! My cousin who is Donna Bragg and Tammy were best friends. So I ask, because I couldn’t get her off my mind, ho...

I enjoy victories. Now understand that my idea of a victory and yours may be different. Here are some of mine and then you can compare. See this is interactive. Not just another boring article that you’re reading because you don’t really want to work (I know it really is just that but let’s not kill the mood). Victories: ·         Browning the bread on the grilled cheese juuuuuuuust right (makes you wanna take a picture every time). ·         Timing the light turning green so I don’t have to come to a complete stop (doesn’t work on stop signs. Trust me; the sweet Maryville City Police officer already explained that to me). ·         Getting the interval wipers set perfectly so there is just enough rain on the windshield so as not to make the wipers sound like they’re farting (annoying). ·         Free samples. I mean it. You have no obl...

What is success? What is it measured in? Honestly, these are questions I think about often. Is success an achievement of social recognition? Is it a dollar amount listed on a bank statement? Is it measured in how many friends are on your friends list? Is it what you drive or where you live? Is it the success of your children? And if that is it, then how do we measure whether they are successful? Didn’t go to jail before age 17? Cleans their room and brushes their teeth? Is better than other kids? Anywho, I started thinking about what I wanted for my children (obviously I think a lot). Since I love them third most in the world (God first, wife second, children third, come on people keep up), I thought about what I wanted for them and maybe that would give me a better picture. First and foremost I want them to develop and continue growing a relationship with Jesus Christ. I want it to be real and I want them to strive daily to become like Christ. Not doing something to pleas...