Sons of the Shepherd

 Writing Your Chapter Two The Battle With Purity       One of my favorite movie series of all time is Lord of the Rings.  I could binge watch the trilogy over and over again.  It's the first thing I look for in a long overseas flight.  The only bummer is that they only show the theatrical version, not the extended version (if you know, you know).  If you haven't watch it I recommend that you do that right after reading this blog.  It will be life changing.  One of my favorite scenes is the battle of Helm's Deep.  The rain started to fall through the night as thousands upon thousands of Uruk-hai gathered outside the walls of Helm's Deep.  They were stained with the white hand of Saruman, the white wizard to who betrayed his friends.  The defenders behind the wall were exhausted, outnumbered, and painfully aware that none of them would survive the rising of the sun.  Yet not a single one suggested opening the gates and ...

When Grief Doesn't Change A Story of Dolly Parton       This past week our nation has felt the loss of one of our stars, Dolly Parton.  For nearly six decades Dolly gave the world some of the most catchy tunes.  I vividly remember my grandfather playing her music in their house nestled along the mountain in Pennsylvania.  He also had an old station wagon and he would put in an eight track tape and 'jam' out to her music.  Pap knew every word.  He would belt out to Jolene, he especially loved 9-5 since he was a blue collar worker his whole life, but the one that seemed to get him the most excited was Jolene.  Dolly Parton was the queen of country music, or if you're from my area, the queen of Appalachia.  But she was more than a country music legend.  She was also  a songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist, storyteller, and one of the most recognizable personalities of the last century.  Her fame helped build...

 Shameless Life Living Past the Loss Through Suicide by John Walker ​      I feel that I must preface this article with a warning label of sorts. Losing a spouse or partner is hard enough to accept no matter the cause; however, losing a spouse to suicide is on a level all its own. ​      This is not just a matter of moving forward through the pain to live on. This is a complex grief that requires nothing less than a delicate strategy—not only for the surviving spouse, but also for the support network of friends and family who are there to offer the structure necessary for a positive emergence from the depths of despair.   This is a horribly perfect example of trauma ​       The worst thing you can do is nothing. One of the best things you can do is to be an ever-constant presence that listens, rather than interjecting an opinion that carries a useless weight, burying an already heavy heart. ​      Be the listenin...

  Writing Your Chapter Two Building Something New Without Erasing the Old     Have you ever been on a trip that changed your life?  One that impacted who you are as a person?  That trip to me from in 2009 when I visited Greece, Israel, and Egypt.  There was something awe inspiring about walking in the sacred halls of Scripture.  I will never forget weeping at the Mount of Olives, the place of His betrayal.  There were olive trees on the mountain that would have been there the night of His arrest.  I also remember the garden tomb, the Via Delarosa, and a variety of other places showcasing the Old Testament.  But a spot that deeply affected me was a synagogue near the Galilee, in Capernaum.  This city would have been the hub for Jesus' ministry in the reigion.  Some of His disciples hailed from there, others were fishermen serving that village.  It was a small town, not a major city or metropolis, but this is a place where C...

 More Than a Backpack       I hate when the school supplies start getting displayed at the store.  It's not that I don't want my kids to go back to school, if anything I am thankful when they do get to go back.  I work from home which means that work becomes way more complicated in the summer months.  I treasure the time with my kids, and we make the most of every moment, but I'm ready for them to go back.  They might not be ready, but I'm counting down the days until they get back in the classroom.  No, the reason why I hate school supplies is that it reminds me of the amputation of losing my wife.  The aisles are filled with backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils, folders, glue sticks, and crayons. Parents are making lists. Kids are picking out the backpack they want to carry for the next nine months. Teachers are preparing their classrooms. Stores are advertising sales.   It is supposed to be an exciting time of year.   ...