Author: Sweet Tea and Front Porch Storyteller
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Pull Up a Rocking Chair… Let Me Tell You a Story
There are many famous landmarks around the world—the Pyramids of Egypt, Big Ben in London, and the Statue of Liberty standing in New York Harbor. Each reminds us of history, perseverance, and the people who came before us. I grew up near a landmark that continues to remind me of life itself. The Biloxi Lighthouse…
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Daily Office Reflection
Friday, August 7, 2026 Readings: Psalm 88; 2 Samuel 12:1–14; Acts 19:21–41; Mark 9:14–29 Grace Does Not Remove Consequences Some of the hardest moments in life are those we bring upon ourselves. Today’s readings remind us that while God is rich in mercy, He also allows us to experience the consequences of our choices. Yet…
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God Redeems Our Detours
Life Lessons August 6, 2026 When I answered God’s call to ministry as a teenager, I had no idea where that journey would lead. My experience was limited to small country churches served by faithful pastors who farmed, logged timber, taught school, or worked other jobs during the week. They loved Christ and faithfully served…
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Daily Office Reflection
Thursday, August 6, 2026 Readings: Psalm 34; 2 Samuel 11:1–27; Acts 19:11–20; Mark 9:2–13 Living Honestly Before God One of the greatest temptations in the spiritual life is pretending to be someone we are not. Today’s readings remind us that God already knows who we are. We cannot hide from Him, nor do we need…
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Daily Office Reflection
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Readings: Psalm 2; Exodus 24:12–18; 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 Living as Beloved Sons and Daughters One of the deepest longings of every human heart is to know who we are. We spend much of our lives trying to discover our identity through our accomplishments, our careers, our successes, our failures, and even…
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What Book Changed the Way You See the World?
The Seed of Mysterious Grace There are books that teach us facts, and there are books that quietly plant seeds that continue to grow long after we have closed their covers. For me, one of those books was The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. While studying at Memphis Theological Seminary, I was…
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Daily Office Reflection
Monday, August 3, 2026 Readings: Psalm 80; 2 Samuel 7:1–17; Acts 18:1–11; Mark 8:11–21 The Presence of God Is Enough Today’s readings begin with one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture: “Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”—Psalm 80 The title “LORD God of hosts”…
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What Song Shaped Your Soul?
The Servant Song There are songs we enjoy, and then there are songs that become part of who we are. Over the years, many hymns have inspired me. Some have comforted me in times of sorrow. Others have strengthened my faith. But every now and then, a song comes along that does something different—it gives…
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One Step at a Time
There are weeks when the Daily Office feels like reading four unrelated passages of Scripture. Then there are weeks like this one. As I sat on my front porch each morning with a cup of coffee and my Bible, I began to notice a pattern emerging. The journey began with a simple invitation: Trust God…
The Curious Pilgrim 