Blind Spots
By 1985, Jose Cubero had become one of Spain’s most spectacular matadors. At only 21 years of age, he was enjoying a celebrated career that even matadors with seasoned years of experience could only dream of having. His future appeared limitless. However, during a 1985 bullfight, Jose made a tragic mistake. He thrust his final sword
It’s a Wonderful Life
As a child, I was always intrigued by the storyline in the classic film, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. In the movie, Jimmy played a character named George Bailey who was frustrated and discouraged with the life he was living. At the height of his frustration, he makes a hasty
When the Lord Passes By
Very rarely has a sitting American President made his way to Chattanooga. However, in the mid-eighties, Ronald Reagan came to speak honoring the high school graduates of that year. There was a buzz in the air that we have seldom experienced here. The entire city went to extreme efforts to prepare for his arrival. The route he would
When the Brook Runs Dry
While the long drought we have experienced this summer has been difficult to endure, it actually saved the life of eighteen year old college student Julian McCormick. On the morning of September 1, Julian left his Bowie State University campus to pick up his girlfriend, but he never arrived. As the days began to pass,
Are You Full?
Perhaps you have heard the illustration about an expert on time management who walked into a classroom and gave a powerful visual illustration on the importance of priorities. He lifted a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. He placed fist-sized rocks into the jar until no more
Stand Fast
The story is told of a young boy who grew up on a ranch where his father raised thoroughbred horses. It was a common sight for the boy to watch the young thoroughbreds being trained to jump obstacles and race with their long, easy strides. However, because the young thoroughbreds are overly-sensitive and high-spirited, the
John-Herbie
When I was two years old, my father walked out and abandoned our family. Less than a year later, the Lord placed into my life a man who would become a dad in every sense of the word. I called him “John- Herbie.” My heart was always thrilled to see him come strolling across the
Second Chances
Over the past few years, I have developed a friendship with an amazing man named Franco Antonetti. Franco’s incredible journey of survival is documented in his book I Wouldn’t Die. From the time he was born in Rome, Italy in 1944, Franco faced death’s door more than anyone I’ve ever known who lived to tell
Like a Child
Earlier this week, I was sitting in the school parking lot waiting to pick up my daughter, when my attention was captured by a group of kindergarten children playing. The sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air while they ran and played. As I watched this scene unfold, my mind raced back in time
Canvas
A couple of years ago, my children made a discovery about me that they had never known before. They were having a contest to see who could draw cartoon characters the best. My son was being rather careless in his attempt, but my daughter was really taking the matter very seriously. She had scribbled a
The Voice of the Lord
There are some people who have a voice that stands out in a crowd. They range from the authoritative, the arrogant, the amusing, and the annoying. Being a born and bred southern boy, I always thought I spoke normal. When I moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute, the discovery was made that I
The Point of Desperation
In March of 1942, as Japanese forces tightened their grip on the Philippines, General Douglas MacArthur was ordered by President Franklin Roosevelt to relocate in order to save his life from an intense search for him by the Japanese military. From Terowie, South Australia, MacArthur made his famous speech where he said, “I came out