Photo by Aidan Bartos on Unsplash Yesterday marked the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. This was a defining event in my life. Every generation has that moment when they remember exactly where they were: JFK’s assassination, MLK Jr.’s assassination, the moon landing (if you believe it actually happened). For my generation, 9/11 was that moment. I was in 9th grade in Mr. Jackson’s Earth and Environmental Science class at South Brunswick High School i

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

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

It is finally that time of year! No, not Thanksgiving . Not Christmas . It is basketball season! Basketball is by far my favorite sport....

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

This is part six of my Panama reflection series . A little over three months ago, I was in Panama on a mission trip with a group of pastors from Virginia. This series of articles is my effort to share some of my experiences while also debriefing from my trip. Enjoy. These days, my church could better be described as the arm sling capital of Virginia. We have so many members who have had shoulder surgery and are in the big, immobilizing arm slings. Those injured cross many dif

I saw this phrase on a local church sign this week, and after the week (or two) that I have had, it was a very relevant message for me....