I have tried to pick up the phone many times in the past two years but then reality sets in and I realize my days of calling my dad are over.  He died quietly in his sleep two years ago today.  We had made plans to see him later that morning as we always did… Read More »

Since we are coming out of the pandemic, Camille and I are still meeting people with ties to the Church as well as being introduced to others within our new city just because I am a new Minister within it.  Every once in awhile, during the banter of polite conversation, a statement is made that… Read More »

A friend of mine recently paid me what I consider to be a great compliment.  He said he admired my ability to deal with a very wide range of people in a way that seemed to neither drive me crazy nor constantly be a odds with them.  Being a Minister in a congregation does have… Read More »

I  am old enough to remember when cigarettes were advertised on TV.  I know, that seems like it must have been from another planet.  In many ways it was!  At some point, the transition in our culture away from tobacco produced TV ads that were created to demonstrate various aspects of the habit of smoking. … Read More »

It won’t be picked up by the local TV or radio and it will not make it on the pages of any newspaper but a tragedy occurred on Chatham Street last night.  Camille and I were relaxing outside and enjoying the gentle rain from the comfort of our covered patio.  Suddenly a terrible shrieking sound… Read More »

One of the spiritual lessons which has remained a challenge for me is patience.  Never was this more on display in my life than when I was working as a 26 year old Minister in a very traditional congregation in Southeast Texas.  As you might imagine, I, like many idealistic Kingdom workers at that age… Read More »

I suppose it would be an understatement to say that social media is influencing the culture around us!  Yes, that’s actually a huge understatement.  Like so many other innovations when they immerged on the scene, social media envisioned the possibilities of people far and wide being able to connect and for the average person to… Read More »

One of the realities of living in Northeast Mississippi is that during a significant part of the year the threat of severe weather exists.  None would think it odd this time of year for the sky to darken and soon hear the sirens that warn citizens that the possibility of danger is eminent.  More than… Read More »

The culture will soon be celebrating Mother’s Day.  I have many memories as a child of the annual celebration of my mom, Lola Fern (Phillips) Thornton.  Now since my celebration of her relies totally upon my memory since she has passed away, I cling to them as the valuable treasure they are.  Almost daily her… Read More »

The project of lawn improvement and beautification continues on Chatham street.  One of the areas that has been difficult to manage is the number of little trees that have grown up volunteer in some rather undesirable locations.  The undesirable locations include between the chain link fence and the shed and “in” the chain link fence.… Read More »