Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

Good morning, Kids! Mimi deserves the credit for this journal entry. She embraced her role in our family, and she took her responsibility in that role very seriously. I can’t speak for your uncles, but I can tell you that she never neglected to “guard my heart.” Her steadfast efforts...Read more
War & Peace

War & Peace

Happy Independence Day, Kids! During my walk, I listened to “Prisoner of Hope,” by the Gaither Vocal Band. The word “prisoner” just doesn’t seem appropriate on this day that celebrates our nation’s declaration of independence. I started to think about other words, like friends & foes, enemies & allies, victory...Read more
What’s Important to You, Dad?

What’s Important to You, Dad?

Happy Father’s Day, Sons! Last night, I paid a visit to Homestead Hall for another Rory Feek concert. This one was special. It was a celebration of the release of “Gentle Man,” his first album since losing his wife, Joey, to cancer. Rory shared his excitement in a blog post,...Read more
It Is Finished!

It Is Finished!

Happy Easter, Kids! I love to listen to Pandora during my daily hour-long walks. I created nine stations to cover all of my favorite genres of music, and I set up the app to shuffle the songs. Needless to say, I expect to hear a fresh playlist every day. But,...Read more
Love for LIFE

Love for LIFE

Happy Valentine’s Day, Kids! You probably looked at the picture and assumed that the title is a reminder of your vow to love your spouse “until death do us part.” Actually, I meant for it to convey the idea of cultivating a love for LIFE (remember my acronym, “Loving Into...Read more
Free, but Forfeitable

Free, but Forfeitable

Merry Christmas, Kids! The world will celebrate the birth of Jesus today, and I suspect that His words will be quoted numerous times. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John...Read more
Back to LIFE

Back to LIFE

Good morning, Kids. Today’s reading reminded me of a statement Caleb made to me this past spring. Caleb, you said, “Dad, you’re in a better place today.” You were obviously referring to my spiritual (including mental & emotional) condition, because you followed up your statement with a challenge to get...Read more
Freedom Is In the Water!

Freedom Is In the Water!

Happy Independence Day, Kids! Americans died for the freedom celebrated today. More importantly, Christians died for the freedom they celebrate every day, freedom that is in the water. I watched the entire 1st season of “The Chosen.” It is a new TV series that is truly worthy of binge watching....Read more
Stop & Have a Catch!

Stop & Have a Catch!

Happy Father’s Day, Sons! Colm & Caitriona Kirwan had just performed their song, “Stop,” and I shouted from my bar stool, “Record it,” over the enthusiastic applause from their loyal fans at McNamara’s in Nashville. And, I believe their reply (which I could barely hear over the applause) was, “We’re...Read more
He Taught Me the 4 Ps (+1)

He Taught Me the 4 Ps (+1)

Happy Easter, Kids! This picture of Pa & I with Coach Dick Birmingham was taken at the 20-year reunion of our 1979 two-time state champion baseball team. We gathered together again 15 years later at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and no, I wasn’t inducted into the Hall of...Read more