It has now been one year since Ashley and I changed our facebook relationship status to married. Our first year of marriage has been great. Traditionally the couple is suppose to save the top of the wedding cake and freeze it to defrost an enjoy on the first anniversary. Not wanting to offend the gods of tradition Ashley and I removed the top of our cake and placed it in her parent's deep Read Full Story

I hate comparisons. I work in a job and business where pastors are constantly compared to “the last guy.” The funny thing is, after being compared so much we start comparing ourselves, many times we don’t even know. Most everyone wants to be a success, which is one of the reasons why comparisons can hurt so much; we are viewed in the light of another’s actions. The result is an ugly beast Read Full Story

“Life is made up of little things, in which smiles, and kindnesses, and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort”--Humphrey DavyWhen strength and joy seems to be fading you must take hope from anywhere you can get it. When the path we tread becomes overwhelmed with shades of gray it is important to hold on to the things that will get you through Read Full Story

As I have previously discusses in other post, I am not a fan of corporate America. I don't know If it is my generation's obsession with Indy films, organic foods, and corner coffee houses or my secret ambitions to be an 80's rock star, but I have previously made a committment to myself to never let "The Man" get to me. But as all heroes, zealots, and stubornly cynical people do, I too have a Read Full Story

Today has been a Christmas of firsts. I am twenty two years old and in twenty two years this is the first that I have not been with my immediate family. While they spent the day in Little Elm (near Dallas) I spent the day in Magnolia (near Houston). While this was my first Christmas away from the only family I have known on Christmas it was also the first Christmas I spent with my new family, Read Full Story

It is probably a good thing that I am not Santa Claus. I think that he must be a pretty lenient guy. There were definitely some kids that I knew growing up who should have been on the naughty list yet they would still return to school bragging about what Santa had brought them. In the spirit of Christmas Eve I decided to make my own list concerning who does and does not get presents. Were I to Read Full Story

This past week while spending time with my wife's family, my father-in-law and I spent quite a bit of time at Healthsouth of North Houston. Healthsouth is the current resident of my mother-in-law's mother, Wanda Dennis (Ashley's grandmother). Ms. Dennis suffers from Alzheimer's. Her neurological disease in addition to the surgery and stroke she's gone through over the past two months have Read Full Story

Today I celebrate my first Thanksgiving without my immediate family. Marrying into a wonderful family my wife and I chose to spend our first Thanksgiving together at her parents home. Tuesday afternoon we loaded up the car and made the three and half hour drive from Tyler to Magnolia. Our first night in town we began looking for a valid form of entertainment for the entire family. Our journey Read Full Story

While I would like to say that I do not drink Starbucks, a company that not only represents but leads the way in evil corporate America, I truly have a weakness for grossly overpriced blended coffee drinks. In September of 2005 I began dating my now wife, Ashley. One of her favorite indulgences that I quickly realized was the previously mentioned international-mega-enterprise. Frequently we Read Full Story

One of my favorite coffee shops is The Leaf. It is a cigar/coffee shop in Abilene. The atmosphere is one that is laid back, comfortable, and usually a little smoky. While the store's focus of sales revolves around cigars and other tobacco products they also have a very enjoyable coffee selection. The time I spent at The Leaf was usually spent with brothers from my fraternity, ΚΦΩ. Long Read Full Story