Today, the Lord has blessed me to see my 40th birthday. I am in shock that I am now 40. Where in the world did the time go? Let me think about it… I have been following Jesus for 34 years. I have been preaching the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ for 29 years. I have been pastoring God’s people for 23 years. I have been married for more than 14 years. I have been a father for 13 years. Yep. I guess 40 years makes sense, after all. The Lord has been good to me....

Today my son - H.B. Charles, III -  turns 13-years-old. I remember the night he was born, as if it were yesterday. Crystal had not been feeling well for several days. The doctor put her on bed rest. That Friday, I was scheduled to preach in Atlanta. I didn’t want to go. But Crystal and her mom urged me to go. I was only to be gone for 24 hours. Crystal’s mom was going to stay with her. And Crystal was not due for another 6-7 weeks. What’s the worst that could happen? Of course, H.B. was born that night,...

Today is my big brother’s 50th birthday. I thank God for Kevin B. Willis Sr. and the blessing his life is to me. I preached my first sermon when I was 11-years-old. What I remember best about that service is my brother being there and extending the invitation afterward. I wanted to go to Bishop College, because Kevin went to Bishop. (Unfortunately, when I finished high school, there was no more Bishop College. But that’s another conversation.) I remember the first time Kevin heard me preach after our father passed. Afterwards, he told me two things: (1) You are a...

Today is my baby daughter’s – Hailey Breanne Charles – fourth birthday. I use the word “baby” for my own sake. She is not a baby anymore. Ask her, and she will quickly tell you that she is a big girl. But, of course, she will always be daddy’s baby. I begged for Hailey. Literally, begged. More specifically, I wanted another son. But I could not be more happy to have this been given a precious little girl. Hailey is Crystal. So is Natalie. But while Natalie has more of my personality, Hailey is Crystal. On steroids! But this is...

Today is my 38th birthday. And I praise God for all his undeserved goodness to me. I am speechless with gratitude for the Lord's favor in my life. He has saved me. He has called me to preach. He has blessed me to marry way out of my league. He has blessed me with three wonderful children. He has given me the privilege to serve the saints of a great congregation. These blessings are more than I deserve and enough to thank God for the rest of my days. Yet the Lord continually pours blessings and blessing into my life....

A year ago today, Crystal, H.B., Natalie, and I headed to an important family appointment at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. It was the day after Easter. But that Monday was the day we had been anticipating - our new baby was to be born. Crystal craved pancakes from The Griddle, Rosco's Chicken and waffles, and KFC hot wings the whole pregnancy. Being the devoted hustband that I am, I joined her. "We" (H.B., in the Greek) are still working off the baby weight. Unlike our first two children, we did not determine a name until days before she was born....

Today is my daughter's - Natalie Marie Charles - 7th birthday. I woke up this morning thinking about the moment Natalie was born. And the first time I got to hold her, seeing for the first time the baby I had been singing to for the past six months. If I only knew what I was starting. Now, she is daddy's living "Juke Box" that makes up a song for everything. I am grateful for the privilege of watching Natalie growing up. She is very bright, full of personality, very talented, and extremely beautiful. Crystal and I are very proud...

Today is my wife Crystal's 34th birthday. In the gracious and sovereign providence of God, I have had the privilege of knowing Crystal more than half of her, at this point. And I have had a front-row seat to see her development as a woman, Christian, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Yet she is just as... No. She is even more beautiful now than she was on that first day we met at Los Angeles High School almost twenty years ago. H.B., Natalie, Hailey, and I love you very much. Happy birthday Sunshine!

Crystal and I finally told Trey and Natalie that Shiloh Church would be voting on a new pastor. We also told them that we needed to pray hard for Shiloh, because I was one of two names that would be submitted to the church for consideration. They were both speechless. So I encouraged them to say something. H.B. spoke up, asking, "Daddy, you said we have to pray. But can we pray what we want to pray?" "Sure," I replied, not really knowing where this was going. He leaped into the air cheering and instructing his little sister to vote...

Today is my daughter's - Natalie Marie Charles -sixth birthday. Soon, Crystal will give birth to our second daughter. And my household will then official be overrun by women. But I suspect that Natalie will have no "middle child" issues to deal with. She will always be my first daughter... and first diva! Our new baby will have to establish her own identify, because Natalie is in a class by herself and is an impossible act to follow. It is with great joy that I have the privilege, along with my wife, of shaping this little "image bearer." And I...