For many years, I led groups of maintenance technicians in a public school system. I was fortunate that many on each team were Christians. Occasionally, people need counseling when they become discouraged.

I was in the process of writing my weekly Good Stuff column on a Cherokee hero when I got an email from a funeral home. It was the obituary for a hero of mine and many others – PFC Reuben Taylor, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

We have heard our tribal governmental administration say on multiple occasions that they prioritize hiring tribal members for tribal government positions. This commitment benefits every enrolled member, at least on the surface.

If you had ever ridden with me in my old 2005 pickup, you might have seen my engine light glowing on my dash. It’s been like that for about five years now. It makes my wife nervous, and it used to bug me, too.

“Hate the sin. Love the sinner.” That is a phrase I have heard since I was a toddler.

God has given each of us a talent or gift to be used for His Glory. It comes with a lifetime warranty to be used for as long as we are valuable to Him. (His Word says we are so valuable to Him that He gave His only Son to die for us.)

Each Wednesday morning, an eclectic group of men meets for prayer, devotion, breakfast, and fellowship. Our mix of devotees have been or currently are preachers, teachers, deacons, or church leaders.

I take a lot of photographs, but one of my favorites from the past few years shows an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) at the Annual Cherokee Speakers Walk.