Back in October, I read with great interest the news that the United Kingdom was proposing a ban on plastic straws. For the record, I think it’s a good idea. But my reasons for supporting such a proposal may be different from the British government’s reasons. I’ve been an opponent of straws since my college … Continue reading Why Straws Suck
In my experience one of the most effective antidotes for a foul mood is the simple exercise of listing things for which I am grateful. A thoughtful review of such a list can cure a bout of self-pity like nothing else. Creating real gratitude lists, mentally or in actual written form, is a common exercise … Continue reading Delighted Gratitude
Mr. C's Enlightening Train RideMr C was sitting quietly in his seat as the subway car came to a slow stop at the next station. Among the 10 or 15 people that made their way into the already crowded car, Mr C noticed a slightly disheveled woman followed closely by two very active boys. The … Continue reading First Listen and Understand
For several years now, I have been getting most of my international and national news coverage from the BBC News website. I must thank our dear friend and missions pastor, Julie Broderson, for steering me to the BBC. Julie recommended reviewing this news source as a way to personally cultivate a global perspective. It is … Continue reading He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
I love fall. I absolutely LOVE it! There are the chilly temps, skies so blue and bright you can't stop looking, and the sound of leaves rustling in the cool breeze. Then come the crispness of that first frosty morning, the cozy feeling of settling into a warm bed covered with thick hand-quilted blankets and … Continue reading Ah, Fall!
“Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” 1 Co 4:16 “We did this... in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” 2 Thes 3:9 --------- Richard, one of our long-time pastors, once asked a penetrating question: “Are you living a life worth imitating?” To be honest, it felt a little presumptuous … Continue reading Be Like Mike
Football season is here and I'm loving it. The kickoffs during that first week of College football are the first harbingers of my favorite season of the year, fall. I'm definitely a bigger fan of fall than of football. But I do love to watch football. Its not that I'm a rabid football fan; I … Continue reading Missing Tubby, Tom and Tony
You might remember Wrongway Feldman, one of my favorite childhood TV characters. A old WWI Air Force pilot, Wrongway appeared in several episodes of Gilligan's Island. To put it mildly, Wrongway was not a very competent pilot. He had the reputation of, well, going the wrong way. It seemed Wrongway could bungle up any flight … Continue reading Wrong Way
Our son, Ben, was six years old. He and I had pulled out of the driveway on a Saturday morning - likely heading to Home Depot. Just before we left the house, my wife, Leslie, and I had had a discussion about what I am sure was some lamebrained, half-baked idea I had about buying … Continue reading Lessons from the Lambs
This week's blog contains one of many meaningful experiences I've been fortunate to have with homeless men in our Lexington community. I expect that future blog posts will reference many similar encounters. It's my hope that you, like me, will be enriched and enlightened by these personal anecdotes. Pepe was among the first homeless men … Continue reading Pepe, Poop and Provision
