The world lost a great mind today, Dr. Stephen Hawking, died at the age of 76.  Hawking was physically disabled by “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”(Lou Gehrig’s Disease.)  What constitutes as a great mind, however?  Personally, I believe when someone has contributed to society and made society better for doing so, that someone probably has a great… Read more

I am not sure what tattoos mean to others who have them, but I have an idea what my tattoos mean to me: They are like scars on my heart and soul of things I like, things I love, the past, the future, the unknown, the known, my father’s death, and new beginnings.  Anyhow, I… Read more

I was fifteen the first time I got high on marijuana; I did not love or hate it, but it was something that took the pain away.  I was depressed for some reason, and for me, there was no rhyme or reason to it.  I remember after watching the movie “Saint Elmo’s Fire” about a… Read more

It is not always easy being a Pastor’s husband; God sometimes takes me out of my comfort zone, but I believe that is a great thing.  It is like God is re-releasing me into society; only this time, I have come prepared to fight mental illness with the help of Jesus Christ. I made a… Read more

It was clear to me when I met Crystal for the first time, I wanted her to be the one I would marry someday; however, I was fifteen years her senior, so I knew it would be a tough road to hold if it were to happen.  I was a junior at East Tennessee State… Read more

When I was seven years of age, I decided I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart and forgive me of my sins.  I made the decision after attending First Baptist Church in Mebane, talking with Grandma Tilley, and my oldest brother, Craig.  I would have never had the nerve to stand up in front… Read more

Yesterday Woody Durham died; he was the voice of the Tar Heels for forty years.  Just thinking of Woody takes me back to the old days, and watching Carolina basketball with my family.  Watching the games with my father were almost as entertaining as the games themselves.  We all loved Carolina basketball, Coach Dean Smith,… Read more

I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up in a loving, middle class family, rather than growing up in poverty.  I have always looked up to both of my parents in admiration, but I idolized my father.  I remember how my father used to work third shift, and I have always admired him for… Read more

Back in 1993 and 1996, I received a DWI; one in Burlington, NC and the other in Charlotte, NC.  Needless to say I had to lawyer up both times, but the second time was worse because I received a year suspended sentence, 7 days jail-time, and 72 hours of community service; not that I did… Read more

Once upon a time, I doted on God’s green earth, and the livestock that grazed the open fields.  I loved the smell of horse manure; it is an acquired smell.  A cowboy is three things: A dreamer, an idealist, and a poet at heart; these are the words of Chris LeDoux, a singer-song writer and… Read more