Dachau. That one word conjures hellish visions of walking, starving skeletons, tethered to the gut-wrenching stench of decaying bodies and human excrement. Private John Lee, one of the American infantrymen who helped liberate the camp, later recalled, “We entered…

In the Book of Chronicles, there’s a man named Er. It states that he was wicked, which led to his death. Thousands of years later, that is all we know about poor old Er. That is his legacy. That is…

Around this time each year, I notice the silent changes that show Old Man Winter is releasing his grip on the Coast and that Miss Lovely Spring is not far away. My azaleas are overflowing with tiny specks of pink,…

     What do you recall about seventh grade? I have never forgotten attending Gulfport’s Bayou View Junior High School in 1965. As a shy and withdrawn student, I envied the football players, the cheerleaders, the rich kids, and the popular…

Rudeness is easy, takes no effort, and tells the world you are weak and insecure. Kindness, on the other hand, is not so easy, especially when dealing with rude people. However, showing kindness indicates self-discipline and strong self-esteem. A kind…

     Little Alice was an orphan, living in a world of poverty, hunger, and crime. After being left on the front steps of the New York City Foundling Hospital, she lived there until 1919, when a Cajun-French couple from Louisiana adopted…

TBR? Ever heard of it? Truth-by-Repetition. Since the early 1970s, scientific studies have shown that repeatedly stating something increases its truth value. The more a particular theory, or group of ideas, or popular beliefs is discussed, the more likely society,…

“Words, words, words!” sings Eliza Doolittle in the classic musical, My Fair Lady. Saying the right words at the wrong time can be devastating! Timing is everything. As you waltz or stumble along life’s pathway, be careful what you say,…

We may have longed for it in December, but got our wish in January. Last week, we were reintroduced to snow, the rarest of Gulf Coast weather occurrences. The fluffy, crystallized wonder lacquered everything it touched with its shimmering whiteness.…

     It always began just before dawn. Dad would nudge me and say, “Rise and shine, son. It’s time.” Thus began one of my favorite childhood memories. “Hooray!” I squealed. “We’re going crabbing!”      The day before, Mom gave me…

In light of the recent unpleasantness in our country over illegals, you might question whether or not Father God cares for everyone. Of course, He does. He cares for all His creations regardless of their age, nationality, ethnicity, or social…

Are there times in life when you want to give up due to the pressure to succeed or to make your life count? Are there times you want to run away, take a voyage to nowhere, and never come back?…