davegipson@hotmail.com

She Said “Yes”

UncategorizedNovember 18, 20161View 0Likes 0Comments

My 28th wedding anniversary is today (Nov 19, 2016), and I can still remember how awkwardly the proposal played out to my soon-to-be wife Dawn. I was a youth pastor with a group of 80 teenagers on a mission trip to New Orleans. My intended fiancé grew up in the suburbs there, so I thought it…

Tie a Bow On It

UncategorizedNovember 11, 20164Views 0Likes 0Comments

In our family, we always gives thanks before meals. Sometimes, our kids will even say it before we adults get a chance. We want them to grow up with the concept that everything we have comes from God. Nothing is “a given”, take nothing good for granted. Everything is a gift. Hopefully,…

It’s a “hot mess” life!

UncategorizedNovember 3, 20161View 0Likes 0Comments

I’m sitting in my car at Starbucks, writing. I feel stupid, it probably is stupid. There was a church women’s group meeting at my house. Great group of ladies, but with that much estrogen in the room I figured it was a smart move to skeedaddle. I’ve finally got the night to myself, without anything to…

Blessed are the Lost Causes

UncategorizedNovember 2, 20164Views 0Likes 0Comments

I served for one very long year as a jail chaplain. They say you can get used to anything... ...except working in a jail. After a few months, it didn't really bother me when the huge metal door clanged shut behind me, locking me in with some of the most desperate people in…

If you want to be more like Jesus…

UncategorizedAugust 31, 20164Views 0Likes 0Comments

Do you want to be more like Him? Really? Well... If you want to be more like Jesus, you need to think of yourself less and others more. If you want to be more like Jesus, you need to be less worried about your reputation and more about spreading His reputation throughout the world.…

Turning…

UncategorizedJuly 8, 20164Views 0Likes 0Comments

There's an ancient remedy - a formula meant specifically for the healing of a nation. It has nothing to do with education or rights. Instead, it involves humility, confession of sin, and obedience to God. If we follow it, we life and thrive. If we do not, oblivion. No other talk…

Junebugs and Fireflies

UncategorizedMay 24, 2016135Views 0Likes 2Comments

While growing up in northern Alabama, the arrival of summer brought with it some very special creatures. You probably know them as Junebugs and Fireflies. But down south, we couldn’t afford “fireflies”. Ours were just plain old “lightning bugs”. Every year around June, we would stay outside playing till dusk and suddenly the yard would come to…

Hands In The Air

UncategorizedMay 17, 20166Views 0Likes 0Comments

I have now learned the fine art of using the bathroom while holding a baby. I really think they ought to hand out diplomas for this kind of thing. I used to be a pretty modest person. I was the guy in the stall next to you who had trouble “going” because you were…

Scary Church Members

BlogMay 10, 20161View 0Likes 1Comment

When I first started pastoring, I wanted everyone to come to my church. Now I know better. I've discovered after years of ministry, I really don’t want everyone to stay. I know how that sounds - a pastor should love everyone, right? But just because I love someone doesn’t mean God sent them to…

Happiness is Your Choice. Period.

UncategorizedApril 28, 20164Views 0Likes 0Comments

There's a man on our street who I know is watching our house, every single day. And even worse, he is constantly leering at our children. Anywhere else this occurred, you'd call the cops on him. But in Florida, you elect him to the Neighborhood Association. Maybe it's because we have teenagers. Anytime my kids park…

God’s Purpose in Your Pain

UncategorizedApril 20, 20162Views 0Likes 0Comments

It’s after midnight on Sunday evening. Everyone in my neighborhood’s most likely in bed. But me? I’m walking the path around the man-made lake in our subdivision in pitch darkness. Hopefully, everyone else is asleep, because I’m spitting and cussing at God. What’s wrong? Enough that I’m wondering why God thinks I would…

Devil’s in the Details

UncategorizedApril 13, 20164Views 0Likes 3Comments

When I served as a jail chaplain years ago, I often received requests for specific books from inmates. Mostly they were books on overcoming discouragement or self-improvement books you’d imagine an inmate would need in their position. That’s why a request for scholarly level theological books caught my attention. I was even more…