- Department: Family studies
- University: Mississippi State University
- Location: Mississippi
I became a Christian a little later in the game than many folks, acknowledging Christ as my Lord and Savior right when I was just entering middle age. I grew up in a family that I would describe as only nominally Christian and attended church only a couple of handfuls of times throughout childhood and adolescence. I had absolutely no true relationship with Jesus though. I think you could say that I knew about Jesus, but I didn't KNOW Jesus. Starting in adolescence and continuing through most of my adult life, I sought peace, satisfaction, joy, contentment, and security in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways (e.g., a party lifestyle, money, Eastern religions, atheism, the occult, degrees, awards/recognitions). Basically, I was chasing after all the things the world says make for a good, happy, contented life. YET the things the world says make for a good, happy, contented life weren't making me happy or contented. I reached a point where I suppose that I was doing okay by the world's standards, ultimately earning a Ph.D. and landing a gig as a college professor. I got married and our family grew as children started coming along (we now have 4 precious, healthy boys). My wife and I bought our first home. I was earning a bigger paycheck than I had ever earned in my life. But something was lacking. I had no peace. True joy was absent in my life. I didn't feel secure. I was inwardly tense and anxious all the time. I had followed the world's recipe for success, happiness, peace, contentment, and so on, but the end product didn't look like the picture on the box. Thankfully, although I didn't want anything to do with Jesus, He never gave up on me or quit pursuing me. I finally quit running away from and fighting against Him and received Him as my personal Lord and Savior in the shower (of all places!) in the first home that my wife and I bought together. That simple act of giving my life to Christ and saying to Him, "Lord, I'm tired and worn out. I'm stressed and worried and unhappy all the time. I can't do it on my own. I need your help. Please help me Jesus." has made all the difference. I'm still very much a work in progress, and my life is by no means an endless stream of rainbows and sunshine. I still mess up on pretty much a daily basis, and my life still has its ups and downs. However, I'm a far different person than I used to be, and I can say without hesitation that my life is far better than it once was. I feel like I'm rambling now, so I'll close by mentioning what I hope people will learn from my story: Only Jesus can provide you with what you're truly looking for. Without Jesus, you'll always seek, never to find.
Favorite Quote
“Fourscore and six years have I served him, and he has never done me injury; how then can I now blaspheme my King and Savior?”
--Polycarp
Friends describe me
as a man of faith.
My hobbies
Gardening, raising chickens, passing football and shooting basketball with my sons, spending time with my wife and children, driving in the country, coaching youth sports, and just being outside.
Fantasy dinner guests
Smith Wigglesworth, Angus Buchan (a South African evangelist), Billy Graham. From the Bible: Jesus (obviously), Joshua, Peter, Paul
Best advice I ever received
Keep God first, and everything else will fall into place.
My undergrad alma mater
University of West Georgia
My worst subject in school
Hmm...Chemistry or Accounting
In college I drove
a series of junk cars that were always breaking down on me.
If I weren't a professor, I would
be a farmer, running a little agritourism farm so to provide families a clean, wholesome place to visit and have fun together. At least that's my dream
Favorite books
The Bible
Favorite movies
High Noon, Shane, most John Wayne westerns
Favorite city
I try to avoid cities as much as possible.
Favorite coffee
Good old Maxwell House (breakfast blend, preferably) with two sugars and cream.
My latest accomplishment
Being promoted and awarded tenure.
Current Research
Methods and strategies used to overcome challenging situations.