Last Saturday, I got to do something I haven’t done in several years. I played golf with all three of my boys—Cory, Blake, and Brandon. That probably doesn’t sound particularly remarkable. Four guys played a round of golf. It happens every day. But it had been a long time since the four of us had been on a golf course together, and I had forgotten just how much fun it is. We played a two-man scramble, two of us against the other two, which meant there was absolutely a competi

Everyone has one. I've been thinking about four simple words lately. Tell me your story. The older I get, the more I'm convinced those four words have the power to change relationships. Before we know someone's story, we tend to see labels. We see occupations, political views, successes, failures, and sometimes even denominations. But when someone begins sharing their story, those labels slowly lose their importance. Stories have a way of accomplishing what arguments ne

I have been thinking about this story for a long time. The strange thing is, it was never really about a job. For years, I thought it was. If you had asked me twenty years ago why leaving Horrocks Engineers affected me so deeply, I would have said it was because I loved working there. And I did. I loved the people. I loved the work. I loved feeling part of something that mattered. I was not polishing my résumé or wondering where my career might take me next, because I honestl

How July 13 Became Both My Hardest and Most Grateful Day My birthday is July 14, but for as long as I can remember, I've never been able to think about it without first thinking about July 13. Most people look forward to birthdays, and I do too, but before July 14 ever arrives, my mind always goes back to the day before. It's a date that has shaped my life in more ways than I could have imagined. I was one day away from turning nine years old. My brothers, the neighborhood ki

My wife and I attended the funeral of a dear family friend this week. He wasn't family by blood, but he had been like an uncle to my wife while she was growing up. By the time I married into the family 31 years ago, he had already become part of its fabric. Over the years, I came to appreciate his kindness, his quiet nature, and the influence he had on those around him. I benefited from that relationship, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to know him. As family and frien

Lessons From the Trail In just a few days America will celebrate her 250th birthday. Like most families, we’ll celebrate too. There will be grandchildren running through the yard, an eighteen-foot water slide that somehow seems bigger every year, Coleman canopies scattered across the lawn, more food than we need, and enough lawn chairs that people will keep dragging them into little circles as one conversation ends and another begins. By the end of the day there will be wet t

I’ve been working on something for a while now. A book. A podcast. A blog. The kind of work where you hand someone a piece of yourself and just… wait. And here’s the thing nobody tells you about that wait: it’s not really about whether the work is good. It’s about whether the people closest to you are able to step into it with you. I shared something I’d created with someone I love. Something that mattered to me. Days went by. “I’ve been so busy,” they said, and I believed it

Values are the invisible architecture of our lives — quietly shaping every decision, relationship, and priority we hold. In Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty, the opening chapter challenges readers to ask a question most of us have never seriously considered: Who decided what I value? This post explores the key themes from that chapter, offering reflections drawn from a life of six decades, thirty-three surgeries, career highs, personal failures, and more second chances than I

Faith is a journey, often marked by trials and tribulations that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In the book Grace In My Scars (Coming Soon), the author takes us on a profound exploration of faith through personal stories of struggle, healing, and the transformative power of grace. This post delves into the key themes of the book, offering insights and reflections that resonate with anyone seeking to deepen their faith amidst life's challenges. C

Life is full of unexpected challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and lost. Whether it’s a personal crisis, a global pandemic, or the everyday stresses of life, difficult times can test our resilience and faith. However, even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope and grace waiting to be discovered. This blog post explores how we can find hope and grace during tough times, offering practical strategies and inspiring stories to uplift your spirit.