I am a strong advocate for our public education system. What a great endeavor to educate our entire population! Education is a win/win for everyone. All of society and each of us as individuals benefit from a good education and well-supported, fully funded educational system. more

Should President Donald Trump quit? A large percentage of Americans voted against him and continue to dislike him. more

Over the weekend, we had plans involving family and pool time. Those plans, however, changed. We wound up at the emergency room after I upgraded my juggling act from oranges to an apple, a carrot, and a chainsaw. I had a feeling the carrot would be too much to handle. more

Keeping our Texas Public Information Act operating effectively takes effort. That’s why open government advocates have worked with public officials and businesses over the past year to fine tune the landmark state law.Transparency legislation … more

I’m always up to trying new things. A couple of weeks ago, I tried figs. I even climbed a ladder, fought with bees, and picked them—figs, not bees. more

 No one ever promised us life would be easy. We all face challenges and have our shares of ups and downs. I’ve had more ups and downs than a kangaroo on a Pogo Stick all jacked up on Mountain Dew, and that’s okay. I wouldn’t be the person I … more

This year, 2017, is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, so, for the last few months, I’ve been using these columns to examine some of the consequences of that event. But, … more

I just finished watering my crops. Since most of them are planted in 5-gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage, I have to water them just about every day. It seems that the ones planted into the earth stay hydrated longer and appear healthier than the ones in the buckets. They simply have a better foundation. more

I planned on killing my first deer this year. It would have been nice to have that trophy buck hanging on my wall next to Jesus, Bo Jackson and Velvet Elvis, but that touch of class will have to wait until next year. I may not have been blessed with … more

Ruby is the greatest dog in the world. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but it’s hard to argue otherwise. She’s a lab, and most level-headed people know that labs are simply the best. Pit bulls, on the other paw, are simply the worst. They are just … more

After about a million days of toil, sweat and aggravation, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I decided to take a few days off and relax.I am not a real expert when it comes to relaxing. I have not pursued a Ph.D in relaxing and therefore it … more

I’ve always heard that one can tell a lot by a man’s hands. For example, if they’re soft and smooth, then they very likely don’t work very hard. I once shook the hand of a … more

In 2001, just a few months before 9/11, Lucy, my ex-wife, went to New York with her mom. They went to see several Broadway shows while in the Big Apple. She bought a snow globe filled with the city’s top landmarks and signs of the more popular … more

Last Sunday, I was the guest speaker at Eagle Creek Baptist Church in Middle of Nowhere, Alabama. The church is just a few miles from where both my mama and daddy grew up. In fact, my maternal grandparents are buried in the nearby Eagle Creek … more

Perhaps sitting behind a computer and telling someone off makes some people feel tough and powerful. It’s easier than ever to bash someone when you can do it anonymously in the safety of your screen, never having to make eye contact or have any … more

Happy Easter, the celebration of the end of Winter and the renewal of life! The history of this holiday goes all the way back to when we observed a lunar calendar, which is to say this is a nature-based holiday which the Jews used to remember … more

Sunday afternoon, I found myself sitting in the bed of Loretta, Lucy’s 1978 Ford pickup truck. While sitting in the bed was nice, it didn’t stir up a lot of memories. On the other hand, sitting on the tailgate and on the side certainly conjured … more

It has been a quiet week at the parsonage. Far quieter than usual. I cannot remember a time when it was quieter. If silence is golden, the week glowed with a yellow brilliance.Have you ever noticed when you lose something, it is always in the last … more

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Martin Luther King Jr. It’s Black History Month, a time to remember and honor the accomplishments and milestones of black Americans throughout history. It isn’t … more

I was seven years old when my mom announced she was pregnant, though it was obvious by that time, from all of my parents’ “subtle” hints. Until then, I had been an only child. A neurotic only child; I didn’t like change.“Touch the bump!” … more