Tiger Stadium. As I write this, Tiger Stadium is slowly evaporating.
I remember sitting in the right-field bleacher seats with my grandfather and twin brother when I was twelve or so. The Yankees were in town to play the beloved home team, the Tigers. Throughout the course of the game, my brother and I derided [...]

Stephen King is arguably the most popular fiction writer in recent American memory. In his memoir/guide to becoming an effective writer, he warns the writer that might me tempted to shape their life around their craft instead of their craft around their life.
I suggest the metaphor works well for academicians, pastors, teachers, athletes, writers, and [...]

I’m a big fan of the song “You Are So Beautiful.” I like most (not all) of the versions that have been produced over the last few decades. Joe Cocker’s version is probably my favorite. There’s something deeply soulful about it. Something simple. Something beautiful.
The song fell out of favor in the Graves house a [...]

When people ask me where I grew up, I usually respond by saying “Michigan/Detroit” but follow-up quickly by adding, “but I spent a good part of my childhood in Wichita, Kansas (hence my love/addiction/loyalty to Kansas hoops).
My (twin) brother and I were almost three when we moved from Detroit to Wichita. Almost nine when we [...]

My brother and sister-in-law are in Australia diving. They are now both certified scuba-divers. Here’s a note he sent our family today. Obviously, he’s a little braver than me.
Hey everybody,

We’re checking in. We just got back from our live aboard dive trip. It was amazing! We are now officially certified. [...]

Mom: “You know the Bible says, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’”

My brother: “I guess that means I’ll have to turn the other cheek.”

(From Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove)

A few months ago, I mentioned the best-selling book The Color of Water. As I prepare to teach and preach this weekend, I’ve been drawn back to this amazing story and the way in which it connects with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
About ten years ago, James McBride wrote a book about his mother that [...]