Steve McGee: The Fireside Friend – A Hockey Dad’s Tribute
Steve McGee was different. His love for his family was one thing, but the way his entire being came to life when he talked of his family was beautiful.
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I Have Decided to Follow Jesus: A Father’s Prayer, A Son’s Reward
As a pastor’s kid, the hymn ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ was just a childhood memory. That is, until I heard Anthony Evans sing it. His version was a tribute to his late mother, and in that moment, God connected our stories. He was honoring his mother with a song, and I was honoring my father with a book. One son’s privilege, another son’s reward. This is the God who weaves our stories of loss into a shared song of purpose.
Ten Years: A Father’s Death, A Podcast, and The God Who Weaves Grief into Purpose
Ten years ago, I said goodbye to my Dad. Ten years to the day, I had a conversation about hope on the ‘Grief and Happiness’ podcast. If you have ever walked through the valley of the shadow of loss and wondered if there was hope on the other side, this conversation is for you. It’s a beautifully authentic talk about life, death, and the God who redeems our most painful dates. My prayer is that it encourages you to take His hand.
The Palace Studio: A Fireside Chat
This morning, a simple question about the status of my soul led to a divine conversation and a project I never planned. On the tenth anniversary of my Dad’s passing, the Holy Spirit reminded me how His grace is made perfect in our weakness. This journey became ‘The Palace Studio,’ a short fireside chat about finding peace in God’s presence, understanding our earthly ‘carrying case,’ and releasing our drivership to the Savior. It’s an invitation to find strength in Christ’s power, just as my Dad wrote in the margins of his Bible.
Finding Hope After Loss: New Podcast Interview & Book
After the long process of getting my book finished, I’m sharing something deeply personal that just went live: my conversation with Susan Ways at Tendrils of Grief about finding hope after losing someone you love. We discussed ‘Generation Jumping: Losing Those Who Are Not Lost’ and the journey through grief that led me to write it.
Easter And What’s Next
Following a meaningful Easter Sunday at my childhood home, I’m sharing the family prayer we offered. A reminder that our faith stands on ‘The Rock’ regardless of shifting winds. But the day didn’t end there. A surprise text from my sister led to a 300-mile journey filled with tears, joy, and a new look at classic lyrics. Here’s a look at our Easter and a preview of the songs that cut straight to my soul. #ClassicHymns coming soon
Healing Through Writing – Generation Jumping
“The world is full of stories that aren’t true or are just plain depressing. I wanted to add something different to the mix—true stories about people I love who served the Lord with joy. From childhood memories of fun and freedom to the redeeming hope found in a grandmother’s funeral, this is a reflection on healing through writing and the power of carrying a legacy forward.”
Uncle Gary Is Home
Uncle Gary loved me all his life, revealing tenderness beneath his shell. Jesus commands us to the ultimate act of love: laying down our lives for friends. Every small act of service is a miniature reflection of this sacrifice, honoring the image of God in everyone we meet.
Rainfall June 2024
Rainfall June 2024 – Southern NH – Goffstown
On average, this area of NH receives roughly three and a half (3.5″) inches of rain in June. Each of the last four years have been pretty consistently wet here.
Road Raids
-Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey-
Road Raids – January 8, 2025
The Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey team traveled to Lebanon, NH for a midweek road game. The visitors fell behind, 3-1 but rallied to win it, 4-3.
Over And Dover
-Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey-
Over And Dover – January 4, 2025
The Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey team controlled the game early. Kind of. They took a lead and held it for more than 30 minutes of game time. Then the missed chances throughout the game compounded, over and Dover.
Tip and a Prayer – Goffstown at Spaulding OT
-Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey-
Tip and a Prayer – Goffstown at Spaulding – December 21, 2024
Maybe a game against Spaulding would turn out the way it did more often than not. Either team could win it. Goffstown generated more Grade A chances than I saw in all twelve years of my schooling. Meanwhile, Collin McIntyre brought his A+ game. Eventually something had to give. A tip and a prayer, led to an OT game-winner. What a game!
25 Years – Goffstown vs. Portsmouth-Newmarket
25 Years – Goffstown vs. Portsmouth-Newmarket – December 17, 2024
Silver Anniversary Night was a special night for the Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey program. It was the first home game of the season, the 25th season in the program’s history. A lot of friendly faces came out to the ice rink on Tuesday night. And without those people, and several more, who knows when the Goffstown hockey program would have started.
Three Titles – Winter Classic NH – 2010 Flames
December, 2024 – Three Titles – Winter Classic NH – 2010 Flames.
For the 2010 Flames it counted for three Titles in four years, at the Winter Classic NH. Four wins on the weekend.
Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane)
Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane)
– August 29, 1947 ~ November 10, 2024 –
Fertile plain, or level place. Compassionate friend. These are the Biblical meanings of my Aunt’s first and middle name. Aptly named. Aptly trained.
Three Down…2010 Flames
November 23-24, 2024 – Three Down: 2010 Flames.
The 2010 Flames may have expected a better result in the win-loss column going into the weekend’s trio of games. They played three good teams, with good speed, depth of talent, and certainly a fair share of physicality.
Three Up…2010 Flames
November 16-17, 2024 – Three Up: 2010 Flames.
The weekend was a good one for the 2010 Flames if you care about wins. Three up to the W column. They also played excellent hockey throughout the weekend. In all kinds of conditions.
Leads and Lessons
November 09-10, 2024 – Leads and Lessons: 2010 Flames.
Saturday night at Phillips Exeter the 2010 Flames took a 6-1 lead and held on for a 7-4 win against NH East. Then on Sunday, down in Canton, MA, the Flames led, 2-1, and 3-2, then barely held on and managed a 3-3 tie against the Huskies. Team scoring has picked up, with contributions coming from everyone in the lineup. The final period of games continue to be a difficulty for the Flames.
Motivated And Giving All
November 02-03, 2024 – Motivated And Giving All:
What I loved most about games as the 2010 Flames began a new month was simply this. From the first period on Saturday through the final seconds on Sunday evening, the team gathered, getting better. They were motivated and giving all.
Five Games To Finish October
October 19-27, 2024 – Five Games To Finish October:
With the 2010 Flames back in NH, they played five games to finish October. They played three home games wrapped around two trips to Berlin, NH. They closed out the month with 2 wins, a loss, and a pair of ties.
Early and Often – 2010 Flames in SC
October 13, 2024 – Early and Often – 2010 Flames in SC:
The final day of the Palmetto State Fall Classic Tournament started very early for the 2010 Flames. They arrived at the Carolina Ice Palace by 6:30 am after getting back to the hotel after 10:45 pm on Saturday night.
No Goals – 2010 Flames in SC
October 12, 2024 – No Goals – 2010 Flames in SC:
The 2010 Flames played two games on Saturday, the second day of the Palmetto State Fall Classic Tournament. In the two games, they allowed zero even strength goals. They also scored no goals, of any kind.
The Beginning – 2010 Flames in SC
October 10 & 11, 2024 – The Beginning – 2010 Flames in SC:
The 2010 Flames have one scheduled travel tournament this season. Again this season, the tournament was played in October. And, again, it was down south. This time the 2010 Flames played in Charleston, SC. It was a tremendous trip. Good hockey and near perfect weather, all with a hockey family that is second to none.
Flames Play Three
October 5 & 6, 2024 – 2010 Flames Play Three –
Our family was up in the Sunapee-Kearsarge Region of NH for the weekend. It was a wedding weekend at Ragged Mountain Resort for us. Meanwhile the 2010 Flames played three games.
Flames and 42 Years of Joe
September 29, 2024 – 2010 Flames and 42 Years of Joe –
It was late on Sunday afternoon when I walked slowly into West Side Arena to watch the 2010 Flames play their first game in 15 days. Very rarely, do I watch a Flames game with ear buds in, but Sunday I had them in and turned up.
GSL Parity Weekend – 2010 Flames
September 13-15, 2024 – GSL Parity Weekend – 2010 Flames – 2024-2025
The scene was Everett Arena in Concord. It was GSL Parity Weekend for NH youth hockey teams in the 14U Division such as the 2010 Flames. The 10U and 12U division’s games were played in Manchester and Keene, respectively.
Opening Weekend – 2010 Flames – 2024-2025
September 07-08, 2024 – Opening Weekend – 2010 Flames – 2024-2025
Maturing and growing are aspects that both play instrumental parts in youth hockey. One (or more) player might finish a season in March as a teenage kid but take the ice in September as an adult sized player. So, when the 2010 Flames showed up for opening weekend on Saturday at West Side Arena it only took a second to see that this roster is closer to adult than they are to Mites that make everything look adorable.
Flames Welcome Back BBQ 2024
Flames Welcome Back BBQ 2024
Manchester, NH – West Side Arena – August 29, 2024 –
It was Thursday night, the final night of ‘Skills Week’. This was the first week back on the ice for the Flames players. Summer still had some legs but the return to school was just around the corner. The event was set up as a celebration of Flames hockey success on and off the ice. For coaches, players, and hockey families. The event was an unofficial kick off to the 2024-2025 hockey season.
Rainfall May 2024
Rainfall May 2024 – Southern NH – Goffstown
On average, this area of NH receives three and a half (3.5″) inches of rain in May. Each of the last four years have been pretty consistently wet here.
May 28th – 3 Years Later
My younger brother passed away 3 years ago today. He would have been with us all yesterday, at Mom’s house. We miss him dearly.
Rainfall April 2024
Rainfall April 2024 – Southern NH – Goffstown
On average, this area of NH receives almost exactly four (4) inches of rain in April. Around here, the trend of wetter than average has continued.
Mother’s Day 2024
Mother’s Day 2024 May 12 Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you. I always have. Recently, I have thought quite a bit about your family. About our family. The more I think about such things…
NH Spring Training 2024 – Update
Saturday – March 23rd – Update on NH Spring Training 2024. NH Spring Training 2024, I was looking over my roster for Saturday’s action. I walked onto the field of battle and discovered that…