In high school, the number that adorned my baseball uniform was, forty-one. It was my number. I took possession of it and owned it. It didn’t have any significant meaning at the time, but since has taken on a life of its own. In college, I became a huge Dave Matthews Band fan, something like twelve shows in four years. Ironically, Dave Matthews has a song called #41 – creative considering it was the 41st song he had written. Through […]
My grandfather, Mendel Ham, grew up on a farm in rural South Carolina. Racial inequality was rampant in the Deep South during the 1930’s, but one of his best friends was an African-American farm hand. That pretty much sums up my grandfather—the stares and jeers weren’t strong enough to break his spirit. I didn’t know him as a young man, but I try to envision him approaching my grandmother to ask her on their first date. Or, see him as an eighteen-year old marine, serving our country […]
In 2010, I fell in love with the sport of triathlon. The year before, Liz was part of a relay team at a local ‘sprint’ triathlon, a shorter distance race for both competitive and novice participants. When I went to watch the race, I wondered, “Could I?” In 2010, I competed in 2 races, 11 in 2011 including a Half Ironman (70.6 miles), and 9 in 2012. However, this year, I decided to take some time off from competitive racing […]
I love this picture of a ship sailing into the night. I took it while in Maui in 2011. It relates so much to this post. As the ship heads into the darkness, it cannot lose its course. It must keep it. The sun will rise again and light will fill the sky, illuminating the path. Just like this ship, we must not lose our course when the darkness of fear, doubt and insecurity set in. We must stay true […]
For many, the Old Testament is a confusing and unrelated part of the gospel story. Nothing could be further from the truth. As many theologians have taught us, the Old Testament is but a shadow of things to come– full of amazing stories. Once you look beyond the ancient names and dialogue, there is incredible wisdom within. In 2 Kings 5, Elisha heals an army commander of leprosy, but seeks no repayment. He only requests that God be honored. Elisha’s servant thinks otherwise […]
Liz and I have a collective problem; one that is always entertaining to discuss. For years, friends and family have laughed over countless stories of our so-called condition. Talking in our sleep! The funniest part is that Liz and I BOTH share this problem. Liz’s only developed more recently; I guess that’s what having three kids within sixteen months does to you. There should have been a warning label: WARNING – you will go crazy and start talking about nonsense […]
My wife, Liz, painted a picture of Elijah on Mt. Carmel as my college graduation gift. It’s one of my greatest treasures and it hangs in my office today as a reminder of the immeasurable power of God. Elijah was a prophet in a time of turmoil–a time when God’s people had turned on Him with contempt. Although God had redeemed and delivered his people, they still turned away. They began to replace their eternal redeemer with temporal idols, something I’ve been fond […]
We get busy in life. Matt reminds us of why we dedicate ourselves to something other than ourselves.
- Robert Wagnon, CEO, Republic State Mortgage
