Pastor Dad

116 . That is the number of what I consider my adopted family, that has died while working this year. That is a little more than 2 every week since January while they were working. That is most likely 116 spouses that sent their loved ones to work and went about their day. Most likely someone like me went to their home to notify them that a husband or a father or a wife or a mother or a son or a daughter wouldn’t be coming home because they died while working. While at a job! Please let that sink in before you spew your opinion at the very people that really do get up and protect you every day of your life. There are very few positions in life that I respect as much as I do law enforcement. While I have dedicated my life to serving others, the 116 have given theirs. To most people not connected to or affected by law enforcement it comes easy to say, almost as a cliché, “these men and women put their life on the line everyday”. To those 116 it isn’t a cliché and it isn’t a fancy s...

Kelcey Bryant  I want you to know what you mean to me (and your mom). You and Jordan are the best part of us. We never deserved either of you. I was too young to know anything. I always wanted a red headed girl just like Tammy. When I saw you for the first time I cried. You were, not only what I wanted but you were perfect (big head and all). We watched you grow. We laughed at you, with you, and sometimes at ourselves because we didn't know what we were doing. I was hard on you just like I was/am on Jordan. I hate it but I want more for you and him than I ever wanted for me. I wanted you strong and you are but also sweet. I wanted you smart and you work in Nuclear Medicine and according to Pastor Roberto that means we get a check mark in that box. I never even thought about wanting you beautiful because it was never in question! And now... When I look at you I think so many things but the word that repeats over and over is "proud". I am proud that you are strong. I a...

I have some really cool memories of my childhood. My church was one of those that always did a straight up haunted house for Halloween when I was really young. Too young actually to be allowed to go through it so I would sneak in and immediately regret that decision because it was scary! I also remember going Trick or Treating! Would you like to know the houses we would always go to outside of family??? My parent’s church family that didn’t have young children. Because those folks were the ones home. Nell and Arlie Lawson and Dean Stinnett (Dock’s Motel) come to mind first. I remember where the Lawson’s lived and most everyone knows about Dock’s Motel (we used to go swim there in the summer also) if you lived in Townsend. I always wanted to go to my Aunt Bug’s house because she had the scariest stuff. From Uncle Avery dressing up like a scarecrow and sitting so still on the front porch until you got your candy and then he would jump up and chase you to the car, to the flying gho...

So here’s the deal. On March 17 th we began the process of renovating our stage and church sanctuary.  Before renovation We needed more room in the sanctuary and the most cost effective option was to tear down and start over. Every day beginning March 17 th through Easter Sunday April 20 th we worked at the church. EVERY DAY! Men and women went about their “regular” jobs during the regular times and then came to the church work. There were several workers that didn't even attend our church. It was amazing and the results were phenomenal. But even beyond that, I learned a few things that I decided to list: ·         Never underestimate God’s vision. He will outdo yours every single time! ·         The notion that the church is dead is a myth. The church (the called out ones) is alive and waiting to be led and let loose! ·         People have different gifts and ...

The title is my personal opinion but we are not only cannibals but we are scavengers. As I began to write I decided to make a list of everything that I have been or witnessed “Christians” being and it is so disappointing. It’s as if I, or anyone else, have never read the Bible. I can’t even write the list because it is so depressing; and because people would react negatively and I can’t have my responses all over the world wide internet web thingy! This may be the most disjointed thing that I have ever written but here goes anyway. It has been going on for hundreds of years but lately it seems so loud. I was reminded of it when the Noah movie was beginning to be talked about and advertised. And the “Christians” were all up in arms complaining about the movie before it even came out. It’s still not out yet. It wasn’t this and it wasn’t that and someone was being deceived into thinking… really! Here was a high quality made big screen movie about an event in history and in the bible an...

This is kinda funny since I just realized that it has been almost 4 months since I have written anything. Even funnier that the last time I wrote something it was making fun of my wife, Tammy! Today is a little different twist on the same suspect.  I am busy. I mean, some of you understand but others have no idea how busy my life is. It isn’t because I am accumulating a pile of money to retire on. It isn’t because I’m any more important than anyone else. I’m busy because of the life that Tammy and I have chosen. Being busy is sometimes frustrating but most of the time very rewarding.  At my core I am an optimist. Tammy would tell you that that is an understatement. I have learned to simply enjoy life. I only get one here on earth so why be miserable? I can’t control most things but I can control my attitude so I choose to do just that. But that isn’t what the “Tammy Equation” is all about. My attitude just simply helped me to see the results of the Equation during a ...