Growin' Up Gregory

We have all had very different experiences in life.  These seem to have been magnified over the past 4-6 weeks with everything going on in the world.  The threat of COVID and the impact of the CARES act has hit each of us very differently.  I just want to share some of my thoughts from my point of view.  Your may certainly be different if you've seen it from a different angle.  This is merely from my vantage point. COVID-19 Fear Factor One of my biggest concerns with the Coronavirus and COVID-19 is the way people have let themselves, and their whole lives, be taken over and consumed by fear.  Based on yesterday's SC DHEC statistics, there have been 38,833 tests administered with 4,246 positive results.  That is a 10.9% positive test return.  Now, I do not know the typical percentage of positive test for season flu, strep throat, and other 'regular' viruses, but a near 90% negative return rate seems illogical.  If this data is available...

There's an old saying that you're either in a storm, going into a storm, or coming out of a storm.  Depending on which phase you're in changes your perspective of things.  Our Sunday school lessons over the past few weeks have focused on suffering and attempting to understand it from a godly perspective. One of the most difficult moments of my life made no sense at the time.  However, as time has passed, my perspective has changed and I can better understand how God really was at work in a challenging time. Sunday, June 5, 2011 started out like many other Sundays before it.  However, it's a day that would change our family forever.  That morning, I got up and went to church like I did most Sundays.  Near the start of preaching, I was asked to go check on Mama (my grandma) since she was supposed to pick a friend up for church and hadn't shown up and didn't answer her phone.  Old people are slow and if you didn't let the phone ring 15 times, she may ...

This morning was one of the more emotional worship services I've been a part of in recent memory.  It's hard to quietly explain to a newly turned 6 year old that sometimes, everything's okay when people are crying.  I could venture guesses as to why this day was special, but really want to share the thoughts that came to mind as many different things seemed to come together today. Our Sunday school lesson was on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  I'll keep drawing on this story so if you want more depth, read John 11.  If not, the super short cliff notes version is this:  Lazarus's sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was sick.  Jesus eventually made his way to their home, but He was too late.  Lazarus was dead.  Then Jesus did what the Son of God does, He raised the dead! I was super excited about this lesson for several reasons.  One, it was good lesson with a lot more to it than I had previously noticed.  Two, I heard ...

I hope that everyone had at least one opportunity to enjoy a firework show to celebrate Independence Day over the past week.  I think it's amazing that nearly every small town in America seems to have some sort of festival and firework show to celebrate our nation's freedom; a freedom that many have fought and died for which is so vital to our way of life in this country and we should all be deeply grateful for those who have sacrificed their time, energy, and lives to defend our nation. But back to the fireworks.  Depending on where you're watching and who you're watching with, the best part of a firework show is either the first BOOM and flash of light when the kids sit down and start to be still and quiet for a minute; or it's the final climax when the exhibitors show you their best, brightest, and loudest - the grand finale!  For those seconds the sky lights up like the middle of the day, the booms don't seem too loud anymore, and it creates an almost magi...

One of the website writers, Thomas Casale, that I read on fantasy football shared these thoughts this past week...pretty spot on. Everyone is protesting something. I got a text from someone I know telling me we need to protest against ESPN because they didn’t fire a particular host. Here’s the thing: I don’t care. I’m too d@#! old. I’m just trying to survive the week. I’ve had Type I diabetes for 34 years. I have two kids. I just want to make it to the weekend. I’m not going to protest against ESPN. I’m not going to protest against the NFL. I’m not going to protest against Obama. I’m not going to protest against Trump. You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to try to keep my blood sugar under control. I’m going to try to raise my kids the best I can. I’m going to wonder why Jerry Jones can win three playoff games in 20 years and not face more criticism for being the worst GM in the history of the NFL. I’m going to work my butt off. I’m going to root against the New York Y...