When someone makes a decision to follow Christ as their Lord and Savior, those outside the church tend to yawn or shrug, “They got religion.” But in the case of William Anderson (better known as Devil Anse) Hatfield, his conversion at the age of 71 is still making an impact more than a century after…
Read more
There is nothing like a thousand-year flood to give you a more balanced perspective. Right before monsoon-like rains struck West Virginia last month, I was in the midst of a pinch caused by a hefty, long-overdue invoice. While I was confident I would get paid eventually, it still feels a tad irritating when you know…
Read more
When people who have been more successful in business than me offer advice, I tend to listen. So when not one, but two, associates suggested late last year that it was time to scrap my antiquated-looking e-mail address, I thought, Better pay attention. Changing e-mail addresses is no big deal to lots of folks. Over…
Read more
Nearly two weeks have passed since the worldwide broadcast of famed boxer Muhammad Ali’s funeral. There is little I can add to the parade of glowing tributes to the former heavyweight champion from every corner of society. Still, the news of his passing prompted me to recall some favorite memories related to his legendary 1971…
Read more
Having lived in Denver for more than six years and visited a number of times since we moved back east, I never dreamed of getting lost there. Yet on our recent vacation, that’s exactly what happened. One night, as we left our son’s apartment for our hotel southeast of the city, I decided it would…
Read more
Read State of Miracles Part 1 Second of two parts I mentioned in my last blog that we made a decision to change our lives after facing the enormous pressure brought on by my stepson’s drug use and related problems—which ultimately led to him serving several months in jail for violating his probation. I think too…
Read more
First of two parts Sometimes major decisions in life turn on small, mysterious incidents. Looking back, it is easy to gauge their earth-shattering significance, although at the time one could only see pain and confusion. I reflected on that truth last week on a visit to Colorado, where we lived from 1981-87. One reason for…
Read more
Another old friend—a guy I’ve known since kindergarten—retired last week, although not to sit in a rocking chair. Instead, he is already out hiking the Appalachian Trail. Sometimes, I think of how nice it would be to sit back, relax and leave the world of deadlines and other stress behind. I felt a sharp twinge…
Read more
Since I live in a region battered by unemployment, drug overdoses, and a future filled with uncertainty, a recent spiritual awakening in southern West Virginia is the stuff of considerable excitement. And there is additional backstory to this particular episode that is also fascinating. It started about three weeks ago at lunch with an old…
Read more
