There are some writers who believe you have to write every day. If you don’t, you’re not a writer. I know: I heard that a lot in my early years writing. And it depressed me because I’m not that type of writer. I can’t sit down and just start writing if I don’t have a … More Between Projects: When I’m Not Writing
We have a big backyard. In fact, we own two acres. We live just outside of town here in Texas, which gives us the occasional opportunity to run into wild animals–and loose tame ones–on our property. We’ve played host to possums, snakes, wild pigs, and lots of squirrels over the years. We like it. It’s … More Two Rabbits
I grew up in a very traditional family. My father was a veteran of WW II and was a blue collar worker. My mom, a new Christian, worked extra hours to put the four of us children through Christian schools. My father had high expectations of me, the only boy, but they were based on … More Sins of the Father
Okay, I’ll admit it. I have stress dreams. For many years, my stress dream was the same as everyone else’s. The typical one of showing up in a public place, usually in class, or at work, or at church, in my underwear or with even less on. And what’s interesting is that that dream is … More Stress Dreams
1988. I’m a graduate assistant, teaching my first class at California State University, Chico, and I’m petrified. I wait out in the hallway as the students file into the classroom, afraid to look them in the eye. Then when class is about to begin, I go in, sit down at the desk in the front, … More School’s Out…Forever
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would rather receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” –Hebrews 11:8 One. More. Week. After 23 years in the classroom, and 43 years in my career, I am closing up shop. I have one … More The Last Shall Be First
This year marks fifty years since I graduated from high school, and on April 10 my graduating class and I will be meeting on Zoom to get together and celebrate what we have accomplished in the past 50 years. In honor of that milestone, I wrote this post today: Dear lost teenager: It doesn’t really … More Advice to my 17-year-old self
Today’s the first day of classes. Whew. It’s been a busy month since Christmas. Dec. 23 my wife got total knee replacement surgery, and since then I have bounced around from taking care of her to taking care of the house to taking care of classes for my final semester of teaching at Southwestern Adventist … More The Value of Learning by Not Thinking
I’ve never been the kind of writer who can sit down for a half hour every morning, rain or shine, seven days a week, and crank out my writing regardless of what else is going on in my life. I know there are many writers who swear you have to write every single day to … More Torn Between Three Lovers
It’s two days before Christmas, my son’s birthday, and I am sitting in the waiting room of Harris Methodist Southwest in Fort Worth, Texas. My wife, Shelly, just left me to go to the surgical wing for a total knee replacement surgery that she’s been needing and anticipating for a long time. If all goes … More There are no atheists in foxholes…or hospital waiting rooms
The Great Adventure 