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”No More Options!!
Jesus said some difficult things. One of the more difficult statements He made to His followers was for them to have life it would be necessary for them to eat His flesh and to drink His blood (see John 6:53-57). Many of His followers stopped following Him after that teaching. Jesus asked His twelve apostles, “Do you also want to go away” (John 6:67 NKJV)?
Continue reading “No More Options!!”Right Side Up!
We often hear people say they want to make a difference in the world. Most who say that usually have a motivation toward a positive difference even though their idea of change may not result in a positive difference. Many people have a world view based on an incorrect assumption rooted in falsehood. They operate on ideas that are counter to the truth.
Continue reading “Right Side Up!”Enemy Territory
I know most of us have traveled to a strange place and after a few days the surroundings became oddly familiar to us. As humans, we are very adaptive to new environments and situations. I believe God has wired us this way. Some of us are more adaptive than others, yet we all have some capacity for this adaptive nature. I have unpacked my bags and made myself at home in many different situations.
Continue reading “Enemy Territory”Our Little World
I usually sit toward the front of the church. For many decades I pastored local congregations and of course, I sat in the front. As a pastor, I preferred to sit on a front pew rather than on one of those “throne” chairs on stage. I rarely sat in the back.
This past Sunday, my wife and I sat in the back because we had to slip out quickly at the end of the service to attend a family function. I wasn’t used to looking at the back of people’s heads. It was a different perspective.
Continue reading “Our Little World”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…”
