News & Updates

I need a story greater than my own. Most people do. There’s a story outside myself with a much better plot. Through it, my storyline is made better. Maybe you’ve noticed how I like to talk about my kids and their story. I don’t focus on my kids to intentionally neglect or void yours. My kids are just my story. They represent the best part of my life’s narrative. It seems like my four were weaned off of mother’s milk…

Details matter. The details of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial in South Africa matter. They matter to the family of victim, Reeva Steenkamp. The details will determine the future for Pistorius. Details matter. Details inform us. How Sherry loves me, the way our family functions and lives out weekly rhythms, and the many things I attach to my life and lifestyle will tell onlookers who I am. The details of how we live will inform those around us. Details indicate…

Fishing on the Toccoa River yesterday, I met up with a Bass Master wanna-be. He was all of twelve years old. His baseball cap was flipped. A blue and gray hoodie touted Fannin County sports. His hair was brushed to the side like a young Justin Beiber. In fact, this kid may have been the Justin Beiber of the Toccoa River in the North Georgia mountains. He certainly moved about with such confidence. This kid knew everything about fishing. Lures,…

Spring break is coming just in time for my son, Michael. He’s weary. He could slide by with B’s and C’s, but he’s been working hard for straight A’s. He’s not sure why this comes so easy for his sisters, while his struggle remains paramount. He has two tests today before the final bell signals the official beginning of Spring break. Michael went in early this morning for some science tutoring before his exam. He’s really trying, but he’s really…

My fifteen-year-old, red-headed beauty is starting to drive. She’s a good driver. On a drive to school one morning, Morgan told me she was getting nervous about driving. Of course, I told her she didn’t have to drive until she was thirty-five! My third born is smart and cautious as she drives. She checks and double checks her rearview mirror. She drives safely under the speed limit. Hands are precisely on ten and two. I’m grateful she’s putting much thought…

My new book, “I Quit Being A Christian To Follow Jesus,” just came out on Amazon.com today.  In this work, I point to Cumberland a lot.  It’s a privilege to do so.  Would you take a look at something I wrote in chapter twelve?  As a result… if you haven’t registered for F.I.A. and this compels you, would you register?  I’ll provide a link after this brief excerpt: “When our church in Atlanta decides to go outside our walls on…

I love coffee.  I love coffee beans, coffee ice-cream, mocha shakes, dark roasted, hazelnut, cappuccinos, Starbucks, Land Of A Thousand Hills, Folgers, chocolate covered coffee beans, mugs, travel mugs, lattes, decaf, half-caf, tall, grande, venti — anything coffee.  I wasn’t always a coffee lover, but about 10 years ago the light went on.  Bam!   Now I carry a Starbucks gold card.  Pitiful. I love my early morning coffee.  I call it my holy brew.  Sometimes I wonder if coffee should…

PLEASE BE SURE TO REGISTER AND PRAY FOR OUR UPCOMING F.I.A. AT BRUMBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON MARCH 23RD.  TO REGISTER CLICK HERE!!! My daughter, Lauren, and I found a junky piece of furniture at an antique flea market in Powder Springs.  This thing was uuuuugly to the grain.  It was marked down from $36 to $28, and looked extremely lonely as if destined for a southern bomb fire. I asked one of our resident artists if he could dig deep…

I heard Gary Oliver recently say, “Without mission there will never be submission.” That little bomb has application all over the place. Work. Family. Marriage. Church. I also recently heard someone say, “I’ll never serve in kids ministry. It’s just not my thing.” Hmmm. I understand the whole spiritual giftedness, intentionality push. The question is, does God ever push us to just serve no matter our bends, gifts, passions, or energy (or lack thereof)? I’m certain the high calling to…

Sometimes you just show up. During the recent catastrophic, crippling, historic, BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS ice storm, my two youngest kids wanted to build an igloo from chunks of ice.  Michael and Morgan went to work, and within hours they were making great progress.   Within those same hours, the kids were also relentless on begging me to “come see” their igloo.  I went outside every time they asked, because sometimes as a dad, all you have to do is show up. Most…