Author Archives: Carl

“Billy” is a precocious, active seven year old boy who has no concept of an inside voice or personal space. Everyone on the plane learned his name because his father called after him many times as he bounded down the aisle with no regard for those putting their bags in the overhead bins. Despite ourContinue reading “Go Anyway”

The scar that will remain will be a reminder of God’s protection and my survival.

Long post warning: The moment I knew my boy was turning into a great young man and how the right word at the right time has incalculable power. A year ago today, I took this picture as Caleb and I walked through mom’s apartment together one last time. It was empty and clean. It wasContinue reading “Sometimes A Word is Worth a Thousand Pictures”

Long post warning – Thoughts after a long day where my emotions spilled out of control. (For clarity, by emotional diarrhea, I am referring to letting your emotions just spew out all over the place not to a clinical term for someone who has an upset stomach because of anxiety – nor am I makingContinue reading “Emotional Diarrhea”

Three takeaways from my experience attempting to learn to ride bulls. As I have thought more about last weekend’s adventure bull riding, I’d like to unpack a couple of the observations I shared earlier. Be ready. Don’t let go. Travel with your posse. “When the gate opens it is too late to train or evenContinue reading “More Thoughts on Bull Riding”

Stories grow deep roots into our souls and bear fruit in our lives in ways we cannot fully calculate.

Thoughts on a breakthrough run. “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” (Unknown author. I found this quote in Priscilla Edwards’ devotional after she was killed in a wreck. It was taped on the handle bars of every bike I rode in Ironman.) I didn’t feel much like running today. Truth is I haven’t felt muchContinue reading “Pain Is Inevitable. Suffering Is Optional.”

Eulogy is a compound word that comes from two Greek words meaning “good word”. So it’s fitting that a speech in remembrance of a person at a funeral is called a eulogy. During my pastoral ministry, funerals became a cherished opportunity to serve people. I’ve always loved to tell a good story and what betterContinue reading “Give The Eulogy While They’re Still Alive”

Long post warning. Reflections on my father in law. For those you who don’t know, Shelley and I met on a blind date January 22, 1991. This first time I met Shelley’s dad, I was nervous already. To make matters worse, his retirement paperwork from the Army reserves had been frozen for months and heContinue reading “Still Waters Run Deep”