Do you ever wonder that some people gather in a room and begin their meeting with this phrase, “Let’s try to come up with the worst idea possible!” The meeting progresses and many ideas are put forth. Then they arrive at a consensus of the worst idea and they all with wholehearted glee exclaim, “Yes, let’s do that!”
Continue reading “What Are They Thinking?”From Death to Life
Life is a strange phenomenon. Being raised on a small farm, I learned early about life and death. As a small boy, I could easily discern if a puppy or baby pig was sleeping or dead. Later, I learned to scratch the bark of a twig with my thumbnail to see if the cambium layer (inner bark) was alive (light green) or dead (brown).
Continue reading “From Death to Life”Radical
A true radical probably doesn’t think himself a radical. Radicalism in some respects may be a personal perspective. Those who have a position that is diametrically opposite than another may consider the other person a radical and vice versa.
Continue reading “Radical”If I Could Ask God Three Questions
Going back to when I was a young man, there are three questions I would want to ask God. Perhaps they may be yours as well. God, why am I here? God, what do You want me to do? God, how can I make a difference in this world?
Today with six decades and counting, please humor this old man and give me a little latitude to answer as if God were answering the questions for you and me.
Continue reading “If I Could Ask God Three Questions”The “Threes” of Living
Many of us have had the sensation of being underwater and needing air. In that situation, seconds are like eternity, and we will fight and claw to get a breath of air. There are very few people who can “hold their breath” for even a minute.
There is a common saying based on threes when it comes to survival or living. Most of these are not original with me and I am not sure who said any first. “Our life is in jeopardy if we have three minutes without oxygen, three hours of extreme exposure, three days without water, and three weeks without food.” The three common basics of living are food, water, and shelter (air being a given).
Continue reading “The “Threes” of Living”Once Upon a Time…
Many children’s stories opened up with the phrase, “Once upon a time…”. When I was a child, the old timers started many of their stories with, “When I was a boy…”. It was the men in Liberty overalls form of “Once upon a time…” Now, I am probably labeled an old timer by most even though I don’t wear overalls.
Continue reading “Once Upon a Time…”Root Causes
Philosophers, sociologists, theologians, and politicians have had their turn at explaining why we have problems and how to fix them. It is ironic that simultaneously some want to blame one problem on root causes while avoiding the root causes of others. Many problems have a beginning with some standard that was either twisted, ignored, or outright transgressed.
Continue reading “Root Causes”Hands of My Father
We were at a reunion gathering of our extended family when a distant cousin excitedly called his wife over to see my dad’s hands. He was amazed that Daddy’s hands looked like his deceased father’s hands. I looked at my hands and they looked like Dad’s. Two of my brother’s hands are also similar.
Continue reading “Hands of My Father”Journey Update: June 2021
To say that our world here and abroad has changed in the last year is a big understatement. Cultural attitudes and societal norms have shifted. As a Christian, I have begun to think more deeply about the implications these things will have on the church going forward. I wonder how long it will be before our American culture revs up its opposition toward Christianity bringing about open persecution. This is not a popular topic but a real possibility.
Continue reading “Journey Update: June 2021”Generations of Mothers
Mother’s Day rolls around every year to give honor to our mothers. We shower our living mothers with presents, special meals, and recognition. Those who have gone from our midst, we shower with accolades of remembrance and honor.
This year I thought about the generational line of women in my life from my grandparents to my four granddaughters. The grandmothers to the mothers of the future.
Continue reading “Generations of Mothers”
