From 1972 to 1983, M*A*S*H* became one of the most popular television series of all time. Initially intended to be a comedy about a medical unit in war-torn Korea in the early 1950s, M*A*S*H* progressively began to examine serious themes.

On several occasions, the program was set during the Christmas season and, while the scenes were often funny and the characters true to form, the ever-present reality of war, suffering, tragedy, and death could not be ignored. Read More»

In December of 1996, I walked into the office of The Citizen newspapers in Fayetteville, Ga., to place an ad for our church. I ran into Cal Beverly, publisher of the paper, and he asked me if I still wrote.

And, indeed, I had written some articles for a newspaper previously and had a number of articles published in various periodicals and magazines. He asked me if I would be interested in writing a few articles for The Citizen. After some discussion and clarification, I submitted my first couple of columns.

That was approximately 780 articles ago. Read More»

I was on my way to Evans Middle School the morning before Veterans Day. Several days earlier Debbie, the mother of my grandson Sam Epps, an 8th grader, called to say that Sam would like to invite me to attend Evans’ Veteran’s Day observance. I readily agreed. I had never been to such an event so I was a bit curious as to what would take place.

I arrived at Evans about 20 minutes prior to the start of the program. As I approached the gym, where the event was to be held, a young lady, whom I assumed to be a teacher, asked if I was a veteran.

“I am,” I replied. Read More»

When I moved to Georgia more than 28 years ago, I was not aware that I would have new experiences in weather. The fact that tornadoes occur occasionally in our adopted home was a bit of a surprise. More surprising was the phenomenon of drought. Read More»

I was cut down in a hail of bullets in the middle of a crossfire. Hit several times, the bullet to the spine was the most serious before the final shot was fired. The kill shot was to the top of my head.

My son, John Epps, after fighting heroically, was sprawled out dead in the hallway behind me having been sprayed by about eight rounds to the side and back.

Also dead was Frank Golan, cut down while ferociously defending his position. Vicki, the final member of our team would be felled by a shot to the throat. Read More»

A couple of alleged burglars should be counting themselves very fortunate. Recently, two men, ages 23 and 25, illegally entered a home in Fayette County. They were met by the homeowner, who was armed. The homeowner, showing great restraint, in my opinion, held the pair at gunpoint until sheriff’s deputies arrived to take them into custody. Another man, age 23, was also arrested as part of the scheme. Read More»

It was a warm, sunny, Friday morning when I traveled to the Coweta County fairgrounds to see the half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I had been asked to give the invocation at the next day’s wreath-laying ceremony and I wanted to get familiar with the setting. Read More»

U. S. Marines are usually thought of as hard-charging, tough, relentless warriors who, when necessary, wage war and wreak havoc and destruction upon all who oppose freedom.

But try telling that to the children, who see another side of these tough leathernecks around Christmas time. During this time of the year, Marines lend a helping hand to Santa and bring joy and toys to millions of children.

Since 1947, Marines, active, reserve, and veterans have participated in The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. Read More»

When I was a younger pastor, the distinctions between black and white were very sharp. Sin was sin, wrong was wrong, and hell was hot.

I still believe that hell is hot but it just may be that not everything I thought qualified as a sin was actually a sin.

For example, time once was that, if someone asked my advice, I assumed they were bound to take my advice and anyone who did otherwise was in rebellion against their pastor. Read More»

On the first day of the first full week of Marine Corps boot camp training at Parris Island, S.C., I met my assigned bunk mate, a young man of about 17, whom I will call “Mike.”

On a certain morning, one of the tough drill instructors was growling about and seeking someone to harass mercilessly. As he went from recruit to recruit, he screamed the question, “Why do you want to be a Marine?!” Any answer given was ridiculed and the recruit ordered to execute a gazillion push-ups for giving whatever sorry answer he gave. Read More»