Basketball season is winding down for me as an official , and one of my recent games happened to coincide with a school's senior night. Before the game, there was the usual ceremony recognizing the athletes and celebrating their high school careers. I couldn't help but notice, when they got to the two basketball players, that one of their teammates was visibly emotional, with tears in her eyes. What struck me most was how one of the girls being recognized seemed genuinely s

Recently, I was officiating a high school basketball game that wasn't very competitive, but on the final play of the first half, a player for the home team drove hard to the basket and went up for a shot. With only a few seconds left on the clock, my partners and I were watching closely to ensure the shot got off before the buzzer and to confirm whether it went in. The shot was clearly released before the buzzer, and we were ready to count the basket. But just before the bal

What a crazy week! Last Sunday afternoon, my wife and I were strategizing about how to spend a quiet day at home. With no commitments or plans , we tossed around ideas—lounging around, eating lunch, tackling some laundry…you know, that kind of stuff. But then my wife called me back. I could hear the concern in her voice: “ They’re doing CPR on Grandma... ” In a blur, we raced home, jumped into the same car, and sped to the hospital. Hours later, we received the news: Grandma

Ejecting a Spectator: When heckling crosses the line ( Doug Benc/Getty Images ) The recent snowfall here in Central Virginia threw the basketball schedule into chaos. Several high school games had to be rescheduled, creating a busy week of officiating for me. While plenty of officials work more games than I do, I ended up officiating six games this week. And there was one thing they all had in common: whining . Players. Coaches. Fans. Now, before you think I’m jaded or obli

As I write this article, a lot is going on around me. I’ve just come off two weeks of vacation , Christmas, New Year’s, the start of Upward Basketball & Cheer, officiating basketball games, a special election, family gatherings, a golf outing , and even some snow . However, there’s something bigger staring me dead in the face: tomorrow’s worship service at Mineral Baptist Church (MBC). I know some of the people reading this attend MBC and will be in attendance tomorrow, but

On New Year’s Day , I played in a “for fun” golf tournament. It was more of an outing with a few elements of a traditional competition. I invited a friend from church to join me, and we were partnered with two players we had never met before. I wrestled with how good I needed to play in order to either help carry the team or not be embarrassed. I’ve never claimed to be a great golfer—just someone who enjoys the game and has played a fair bit. The challenge, though, is that I

Another Christmas Day has come and gone. I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. But I wonder—was it everything you planned for? Maybe you didn’t get the gift you really wanted. Maybe a family member couldn’t make it after all. Perhaps the cookies didn’t turn out quite right, or a cherished tradition was dismissed by the rest of the family. For us, this was the second year in a row our extended family was sick . This year hurt a little more because my wi

Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected moment where two worlds collided, leaving you with a story you couldn't wait to share? Recently, I was scheduled to officiate a basketball doubleheader. What I did not know was that the visiting opponent was not just another boarding school. The opponent was from Australia. Every year, this school comes to the United States and plays schools up and down the East Coast. Now I can say I have officiated an international basketball

To say this is a busy time in my life right now is an understatement. Having just returned from one international mission trip and preparing for another next month , launching our Upward Flag Football & Cheer ministry at church, arranging multiple pick-up requests for donations at RuraLove, and school starting soon - which brings football season! I recently found out that I was assigned to a specific referee crew this season. Last year, I was a floater. I worked with sever

While watching one of my favorite television shows recently, I came across an episode where one of the characters learned ( no pun intended ) that he was dyslexic. In the build-up to that revelation, he was studying for an exam in mythology and he knew the content. However, when he received his test back his grade was not stellar. He had not failed but the grade did not reflect his grasp of the material. This led to a candid conversation between the son and his parents about

The school year is rapidly coming to an end with many high school graduations just a few weeks away. As summer approaches, a million things are happening all at once. And this is no different for churches. This past Wednesday night, I decided to do something special with our youth ministry . Instead of our normal Youth Group with games, Bible Study, and small groups, we went to the local Mexican restaurant across the street. As a group. So there we were, 19 of us, taking up t

Back in December 2023, I sprained my left thumb playing pick-up basketball at an Open Gym sponsored by a local church in our area. While defending a fellow Randolph-Macon College (RMC) alum, he rifled a pass across the court, and my left hand got in the way. I immediately felt the pain but figured my thumb was just jammed. Despite the pain, I continued playing, attempting to shake off the pain, literally. Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s all right, just shake it off,” clearl

In the final week before Christmas , people are out and about looking for that perfect gift for their loved ones. For some people, the final days before Christmas are the beginning of their shopping journey. For others, it is only for that “last minute” stocking stuffer or gift or maybe even a Christmas Eve service outfit. My wife and I were out and about in our local mall recently. While she was in a store, I stood outside watching the people. There were parents alone, grand

Lately, I have realized that I enjoy words. I enjoy a good pun, a good riddle, and even just playing around with different words to decipher meanings and connections. Many of my students in youth ministry (and now in substitute teaching as well) roll their eyes and take a deep breath when I get going. SIDEBAR : One of my favorites is “when was the first time medicine was mentioned in the Bible?” You’ll have to read all the way to the end to find out. This week our local middl

I don't know if you have ever worked the polls during an election , but I can tell you that there is a lot that happens on an election day – not to mention leading up to one. One of the best things about working the polls where I currently live is the spread. The food spread! A couple of weeks ago we had an election here, and I worked the polls again. And when you walked into the kitchen... WOW, the smell was incredible! There was barbecue, meatballs, green beans and potatoes

Many things are caught more than taught. You've probably heard that phrase before. Over the past couple of weeks, this idea has surfaced in shows, podcasts, and even songs. The predominant example describes children catching mannerisms and sayings from their parents. In one show, one of the characters even said, “Oh no, I am beginning to sound like my father!” The question leaps off the page, “Why?” Why does this happen to us? How after all the years of denial and rebellion

Guest Post by Powell Smith As you read this, I want you to think of the latest “buzz word”. What do you mean “buzz word”? There is a word or phrase that seems to fly out of everybody’s mouth within seconds of speaking with them. If you need some inspiration, turn the news on for 10 minutes. Keep a tally of the most commonly used words. Are you serious? Yeah, try it. Pause reading this and turn the news on for 10 minutes. Did you do it? What does your list look like? I will go

Guest Post by Paula Morgan If you told me five years ago that I would be a pre-med student in college who loved science and planned to study health and medicine for the rest of her life, I would have looked at you doubtfully and told you that you must be mistaken. Too often in public school, I was taught the sciences not only in a secular manner, but sometimes in an atheistic manner that was hostile toward God… and I hated it. I avoided science when I could because I was afr

This week I was having a conversation with a couple of classmates in a coaching class I am taking. It was a demo where I was being coached while one of my classmates was the coach. The intention is to help us get more comfortable coaching and to apply what we have learned. When we had finished our trial run, the three of us were debriefing how it went. One big realization was that giving voice to an idea to someone outside your spouse gives it more validity. When it is just s

During this pandemic season , I have watched my share of movies and television shows. Last week, I pulled out a movie I had not watched in a long time, Facing the Giants. The second movie made by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, tells the tale of a young, high school football coach, Grant Taylor, who faces all kinds of adversity at home, at school, and on the football field. One such challenge was when some of the boosters were working to get him fired after six losing seasons. Man