“I am ordering you to take the shot!” rang in his ears. As a U.S. Army sniper on overwatch protecting his comrades, Andy knew that lives were at stake on both sides. But Andy had the best view of the situation and something “didn’t feel right. . . .” Reconnecting Recently I sat down with Andy, a…
An Occurrence at the Greenville Bridge: 2018 Annual Race Report
Author and Civil War veteran Ambrose Bierce (June 24, 1842-circa 1914) wrote stories which did not require a predictable or even a happy ending. My favorite Bierce short story is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, written in 1890. This story opens with a man named Peyton about to meet his demise on a bridge…
Die Freude am Laufen: The Joy Of Running
One unexpected benefit of teaching at the Theological Seminary of the Rhineland was the chance to run the trails of the forestland that surrounds the school. I mean, who doesn’t want to travel to exotic and historic lands and run around in woods that you have never seen before? No worries, after all, I had…
Rockabilly Raus: The Universal Language of Music
Autoreise/Road Trip It all started with the road trip. Well, it was my idea to see some sights but he picked the locations. We were searching for Martin Luther, the monk whose 95 Theses nailed to the church door at Wittenberg (now called Lutherstadt Wittenberg) launched the Protestant Reformation. I mean, you can’t go to…
Neues Leben (That’s New Life for You and Me)
The Place: Wölmersen (It’s Near Altenkirchen If That Helps) What if I were to tell you that a major evangelistic ministry, a nation-wide sports ministry, a sports-themed hotel, and a theological seminary could all be found near a small village in the western part of Germany. And the person used to begin all of this had…
The 8th of November: Heroes Among Us
Left: Henry B. “Sonny” Tucker, US Army (Ret.); Callsign “Stonedeer;” Nicknamed by his men “Big Tuck.” Right: Chaplain (Maj.) James Hutchens I have only known Bro. Sonny Tucker as a pastor (and one of my pastors while serving with Adrian Rogers at Bellevue Baptist Church) who faithfully cares for his flock and for years faithfully taught…
Concerto No. 1 in A Sharp Major
The Musician Laura Spradlin survived a car wreck and a traumatic brain injury in 2014. After eleven surgeries she saw the Lord put her life back together and now plays basketball in college for the Ouachita Baptist University Lady Tigers. Majoring in music, she has decided to focus on music therapy to make a difference…
Mysterious Shelby Farms: The Case of The Hidden Hospital
Shelby Farms Park covers over 4,500 acres in Memphis, Tennessee making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The land has hosted everything from a commune in the 1800s to a penal farm. For fifteen years I have run the roads, trails, woods, and wetlands in baking heat and bitter cold….
Mysterious Shelby Farms: The Case of the Vacant Vikings
Shelby Farms Park covers over 4,500 acres in Memphis, Tennessee making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The land has hosted everything from a commune in the 1800s to a penal farm. For fifteen years I have run the roads, trails, woods, and wetlands in baking heat and bitter cold….
Mysterious Shelby Farms: The Case of the Paranoid Predator
Shelby Farms Park covers over 4,500 acres in Memphis, Tennessee making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The land has hosted everything from a commune in the 1800s to a penal farm. For fifteen years I have run the roads, trails, woods, and wetlands in baking heat and bitter cold….