OUT TO PASTOR: Swimming in an ocean of pills

 I have a confession to make.I never realized that the older I get, the more difficult life seems to be.Oh, for those good ole days.As a young person, I thought that when I got older, all of my problems would be solved.At the time, I didn’t know all the problems I was going to face in life.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 95

 The scene of the raging waters of the Jordan, the sermon Preacher Harvey preached to overflowing crowds across the country on many sweltering summer nights, and, naturally, the serene arm-in-arm crossing of that stormy bridge with Corrina – they all passed through my mind again as I looked out...

OUT TO PASTOR: I didn’t have Google... I had Grandma

 It was Thursday, and as usual, I was busy working on weekend projects.My biggest project, of course, was my Sunday sermon.Most people don’t understand the amount of hard work that goes into preparing a Sunday sermon.And I work hard.I was spending time researching some ideas on Google.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 94

 Driving home from Corrina’s that night, I wished I could have heard Mama’s speech; but I knew that it had to be between two godly women – one just entering womanhood and the other looking back for one of the last times in her life.But Mama had to do more than look back.

OUT TO PASTOR: Is that my grandfather’s hand?

 This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather.I’m not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. I haven’t thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago.As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 93

 Those memories flashed back that Monday on the job as soon as I heard the opening music of Vicki Lawrence’s song, and they made me feel good, at least initially.But the further she got into the song, the tone and tragedy of the song hit me, and I had to find a place where the boys couldn’t see me.

OUT TO PASTOR: Practice doesn’t always make perfect

 This month, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her amazing husband will celebrate 54 years of marital bliss.I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. It only seems like yesterday that we got married. Maybe that’s the benefit of getting old.I remember the beginning of our life together.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 93

 After that night – which was July 27, 1973 – Mama took a turn for the worse.The next morning, Saturday the 28th, Mama awakened for a while but was not very coherent. She managed to reach out for me to take her hand.

OUT TO PASTOR: What is was... was a cookie

 At least once a month, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her daughter will spend a day visiting thrift stores in our community.I’m not sure, so don’t quote me, but I think there’s a 100-mile radius where they do their shopping.This past week was one of those days.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 92

 When I came back, they were engaged in lady talk, as I call it. Mama reached out to feel Corrina’s dress, which was a pretty combination of green and red with white laces girls like to wear.