Reflections

Business had us in south Charlotte today. Our meeting ended early at 11 so we decided to enjoy a little Bucca di Beppo (Italian food). Since we were in the queen city and the Billy Graham repose was in its last day, we decided to visit the Billy Graham Library. Parking was off of Nation's Ford Road at Samaritan's Purse distribution center. The line was probably 300 people. We were bused over. I had never visited the Library. The atmosphere was  solemn but yet you saw smiles on peoples' faces. The staff at the Billy Graham Library reminded me of Chic-fil-A employees, greeting us and thanking us for visiting. I bet I was thanked 20 times. Something happened while I was in line that caused me to become uncomfortable. I'm not sure if its my age or the significance of a man who has literally shared the Gospel of Christ to millions. I became a little emotional. I never met Billy Graham, but probably like you, I knew about his celebrity. Celebrity, yet unlike the celebrity...

So often, the work I'm involved in doesn't have immediate gratification. I have weeks, sometimes months of putting the pieces together to a  point we call success. Of course when you have worked hard and cross the finish line, there's not a better feeling. When spring time shows up however, I begin a few chores that provide me that immediate gratification. Yesterday,  I had 100 pounds of grass seed, 300 pounds of weed & feed and an 8 acre field that needed mowing (that is refined for bush hogging). While the grass seed doesn't provide that immediate growth, the rows that I walked spreading it does. Walking over brown Bermuda grass, I broadcasted the seed with the exciting expectation of a green yard.  Then, the fertilizer. Once again, the rows that I create helps me see the end of my job circling the house. I know the first rain we have will turn the yard into a growing field over night. Figuring out what "it is finished" means Proba...

"Have we lost our hunger?" Tonight as I watch the tributes to Billy Graham, he was quoted as asking that very question. Over my fifty years, I feel like I have seen the demoralization of the country that I grew up thinking was a Christian Nation. On reflection, Billy Graham was not only a pastor, but his leadership demonstrated servant-hood. As the scripture in Romans reads "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel". He used every platform he had to make Christ Jesus famous. He enjoyed a 60 year love affair with his childhood sweetheart. I appreciate how his son Franklin continues his father's legacy and  his grandson Johnathan speaks to churches and groups about how Christ has impacted his life. Now, as the family prepares his life dedication services, I believe his question for you who read this is "what will you do with Jesus Christ?" As Kathy Lee Gifford said this morning on NBC, we all have a malignancy of the soul, and there's only one way ...

I’m a proud American. Our founders created a wonderful nation. Although imperfect, they forged together a diverse group of people and created the experiment we call America. It’s quite amazing. In the continual process of creating this nation, we have had to make a number of course corrections. Today in a board meeting, I learned of a fascinating fact that hit home to me.   Consider this, in the historic town of Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the corner of Charles and William Street, there is a reminder of America’s tattered past. On this corner lies a stone that is said to be an auction block. This solid piece of rock is where  a person would be placed for observation in front of a bidding public.   Human beings were sold to other human beings for the purpose of work, the purpose of property and for the purpose of being a slave.   Sadly, in this era, it was not looked upon as the horror it is. In fact, it was considered a right. In 1857, Dred Scott who's case wen...

What can a country do when kids, crazed adults and sometimes foreign nationals decide to perpetrate a mass murder shooting. Where does this motivation come from? What is it the root cause of these actions? As simplistic as it sounds, the true root of the problem is the heart. But how do you legislate or regulate the human heart. As a nation, has our hearts and minds collectively been turned over to a dark side?  For sure, the narrative will be turned to the instrument that this troubled kid used. But can we not have  conversation about the heart....the root of the decision to use a gun to kill innocent people. Does the media and video games have any culpability? Do they really have an influence over the minds of our kids? Have our children been desensitized to death and cruelty. For many of us middle aged folks, we don't understand games like Mortar Kombat or Resident Evil (Just to name a few). But they create an alternate reality where a gun is used to kill....kil...

Recently, I took Elizabeth for a one night get-a-way to Charlotte, NC. Despite the drive is only one hour away from home, we stayed at the Westin on College Blvd. After enjoying an incredible culinary experience at The Palm, we took an Uber to the Spectrum Center for the main event of our romantic weekend. Andre Bocelli was in concert. Whether you’re into his music or not (which we are), you've got to love his story. Born in 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany Italy, he learned to play the piano, flute and saxaphone when he was young. At birth, he was visually imparied and by age 12, he became completely blind following a soccer injury. "Besame Mucho" Early in his life, his music was heard by the famed tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. From that point, he career began to soar. With a full orchestra and choir, Andre walked up the stage steps and was met by the orchestra conductor who offered him an arm to the center stage. Some people have gifts that are heavenly. When Andre ope...