Growin' Up Gregory

Friday was tough.  Put yourself in the disciples shoes.  Your teacher, your leader, your King, has just been brutally killed.  Let me clear this up for any doubters - there is no doubt about the death of Jesus.  The duty of a Roman soldier was to ensure the victim died.  If he failed, he didn't pay a fine or go to jail a few days, he paid for it with his own life. But Saturday had to be hard as well.  Many of us have lost loved ones and you know the absolutely drained feeling of fatigue after that initial day of deep emotions and constant visits.  They had to be exhausted, stressed, and empty of patience.  On top of that, they were now in fear for their own lives.  A week later when Jesus came to them, they were behind locked doors indicating they were still worried, still scared, still confused.  But in the midst of these dark days of uncertainty, they didn't give up. How they had faith I don't know.  Most...

When I Called into work to tell them I wouldn't be coming in on Monday, April 1st, some thought it was an April Fool's joke.  Honestly, I wish it had been.  But unfortunately, the joke had been on me the day before. That Sunday morning began like most - we got up and were running behind and trying to rush and get ready for church.  But while getting ready, Britt and I both started feeling a little puny.  In her wisdom, she persuaded me that it probably would not be very beneficial to take our germs to church and spread them around some of our more "seasoned" members and the kids in Children's Church so we stayed home. While not feeling well, I didn't have much of an appetite and barely ate or drank anything all day.  That's when the fun began.  Around 11 PM, I got up, helped Britt with something, and then according to her, "went stiff as a board and belly flopped" onto the bathroom floor.  I don't remember how I got in the f...

One of the great things about living in the USA is having the opportunity to start a business and fulfill a dream from anywhere.  It could be from your garage like Apple Computers, from your home like Etsy, or from the trunk of your like Under Armour.  While these companies are now worth millions, like any other business, they started out with only two things, a hope and dream.  They struggled to get off the ground and get people to believe in them and they didn't get to where they are overnight.   However, for these company founders and owners, the harsh reality is that one day they will leave their hard work in the hands of others.  According to Time, "70% of rich families lose their wealth by the second generation and a stunning 90% by the third."  Why would someone work so hard at something to just leave it behind? If we want to see our work mean more, and I believe many of us do, then we must look at where work comes from, why it's here, and i...

Our world today is enamored, fascinated, confused, and ravaged by a new trend - Fake News.  Prior to the internet and social media, "news" companies had to invest large sums of money in printing presses, computers, designers, and other areas in order to produce a legitimate looking story or product.  But now, with the Internet and digital technology, nearly anyone can create a professional looking newsletter or press release and have it posted and shared thousands of times within minutes.  The problem with this is that one person can twist the facts, express his/her opinions as facts, and put it out there for millions to read in a way that seems believable. We all know that this happens in the news and in politics: -  Did Smollett stage his attack or is this is a hoax?  The accounts are mutually exclusive so one must be a lie. -  Is former Trump attorney Cohen telling the truth?  If so, which truth of his do we believe? -  Even The Washington...

I love numbers.  It's safe to say that I'm a "numbers guy."  I always did better in math where 2 + 2 = 4 every single day instead of English where words and phrases could be interpreted with varying meanings.  And now working in banking, I still love numbers.  They make some decisions black and white where things are perfectly clear-cut.  But sometimes at work, and especially in life, it's about more than a number and we venture into gray areas.  (Note:  I could go on more here about why and how our bank does things differently than most but I don't want to risk stating something incorrectly or sharing confidential information.  If you'd like to know more, please contact me there.) Over the past couple weeks, I have read articles from Union County and from the Union County School District discussing multiple statistics in our school system and the effects it has on economic recruitment.  Some of those statistics are alarming.  I've eve...

What gives you a rush?  Makes you feel alive?  Or if you're struggling right now, makes you feel like you can just make it through the day? For some of us, it's the excitement of an extreme sport, a cup of coffee, doing something we love, or the look on a loved one's face when they're filled with joy.  But for some struggling with substance abuse, it may be a drug.  It may be something you can purchase legally (like alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana in some states), something you are prescribed (like painkillers), or something purchased illegally. I believe that we have all had times where we felt like we needed a little 'pick me up,' a boost, or some liquid courage.  Life is hard, I get it.  Unfortunately, too many people try to endure the rigors of life by relying on alcohol and drugs.  This reliance can lead to drunkenness and addiction.  But God has a better plan for our lives, a different "substance" that should be our influence. Unpopul...

So apparently the other night, President Trump hosted the national champion Clemson Tiger football team for dinner the White House.  Typically, these type stores make the local headlines, fill a few newspapers and die a day or two later.  But not this one, oh no.  Here we are days later with it still spreading across both mainstream and social media.  Why? Is everyone upset that he served fast food instead of steak?  Are you mad he left out Zaxbys, Chic Fil A, Taco Bell, or your favorite fast food place? Maybe you're a republican who think it was awesome for him to open up his home and do the best he could with minimal staff?  Or perhaps you're a democrat who thinks it was insulting to feed national champions (though still college kids) fast food? Or maybe you're a Gamecock or Alabama fan who's just upset that the Tigers are the national champions and wish they'd all starve!?! Allow me to state the obvious.  This is not about fast food.  I...