Across the country, many churches and denominations are dealing with declining attendance as they see fewer and fewer people showing up for Sunday services. There is one group however that is experiencing tremendous growth in record numbers. You probably have several of these churches in your home town. I’m talking about the Church of Read More…
I Choose His World
“That’s all of that I can take,” I muttered under my breath as I clicked the remote control to turn off the evening news. Watching the news these days can leave you depressed, fearful, apprehensive, and stressed out. No wonder I often prefer the vintage reruns of the Andy Griffith Show to harken me back Read More…
Brothers in Arms
We sat around the table over mounds of onion rings and chicken wings. White collar, blue collar, and no collar. Two dozen dads who couldn’t be more diverse or different. Our one thing we all have in common is that we are all dads of children with special needs. Some have been on Read More…
My Letter to Autism
Dear Autism, I’ve been meaning to write to you for quite some time but thanks to you , I’ve been pretty busy as you can imagine. Over the years I have cursed at you, yelled at you, cried at you, and tried my best to understand you. The more I have learned about you, Read More…
The Fork in the Road
White collar. Blue collar. No collar at all. Some are just starting down this journey. Others have been on this road for many years. Some are youthful, energetic, and engaged. Others are tired, weary, and passive. I look around the room and down the table and I’m struck by the thought that most of Read More…
Renewing Our Vows
This morning Becky and I are renewing our vows. We’ve been pointing to this day for some time now. What should we wear? What will we say? I still remember the day we stood in the church and made a covenant before God. “For better or worse, in sickness and health, till death do Read More…
Superman Turns Eighteen
I was the first person to ever see you when you entered our world. I still remember holding you in my arms for the first time and whispering, “I’m your dad, I’m here to take care of you.” It’s now been eighteen years since I uttered those words to you. We were supposed to Read More…
I’ll Never Let Go
I remember holding him in my arms for the first time just minutes after cutting his cord in the delivery room. I would place his sleeping form on my chest, his head gently laying across my shoulder, as we sat in my chair at night. I would rest contentedly when, as an infant, he Read More…
Warning Signs of Becoming a Vacant Dad
I first used the phrase “vacant dad” a couple of years ago to describe a phenomenon we’re seeing in the special needs community. As I interact daily within the special-needs community, I am convinced that we have an epidemic of vacant dads. I call it the Vacant Dad Syndrome. What exactly is a “vacant Read More…
I Know What Matters
He coached my Little League baseball team. He taught me how to drive. He coached my high school basketball team. He drove me off to my dorm for my freshman year of college. When I got married, he was my best man in my wedding. When my son was born, he was waiting Read More…