Archive for August 2018
FRIENDSHIPS – Issues of Community
If you have kids, you might remember the nursery rhyme that goes something like this: “The animals went in two by two, Hurrah! Hurrah! The elephant and the kangaroo, Hurrah! Hurrah! The animals went in two by two, the elephant and the kangaroo.” Pretty catchy lyrics, huh?! The two by two part reminded me of…
Read MoreSECRETS AND HIDDENNESS – Issues of Fear
The Secret Life When I was in college, I was in a fraternity. For the most part, it was an amazing experience. Lots of fun. Great friends. A brotherhood with a common bond. We even accomplished several community and campus projects. One of the bonds holding the fraternity together was the initiation into membership. I’m…
Read MoreDEALING WITH PAIN – Issues of Fear, Relationships
Sickness brings out the best and the worst in all of us. We live in the real world and the reality of illness is a given. We have to deal with it. Most of the time, sickness is recoverable. You know… coughs, colds and the occasional projectile vomit. It’s part of growing up. It’s a…
Read MorePASTOR’S FEAR AND ANXIETY – Issues of Fear, Depression, Anxiety
Okay. It’s time for some gut wrenching transparency. I’m afraid and I’ve spent the greater part of my adult life living with fear and anxiety. Does that surprise you… especially when you realize that I’m a pastor of a great church. Where’s the faith baby? Why don’t you apply what you teach? Don’t you believe…
Read MoreFRIENDSHIP – Relationships
Some people are “people magnets.” The people who are always surrounded by a plethora of people. Don’t you love that word, “plethora?” It means an overabundance. In high school I envied people magnets. They were the life of the party, the center of conversations, the talk of campus. Most often, not always, they were the…
Read MorePERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY – Issues of Integrity
Personal Responsibility According to the 21st century bastion of knowledge, Wikipedia, the expression “passing the buck” is said to have originated from poker, in which a marker was used to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal. If the player did not wish to deal he could pass the responsibility by passing the…
Read MorePARENTS AND KIDS – Issues of Family
My kids are grown. They have their own families. We are enjoying a great season of life now… a richness of conversation, time and activity together that is incredibly significant. I heard a quote years ago from former president George H.W. Bush. In an interview with his wife, he was asked what was his most…
Read MoreAPATHY – Issues of Fear, Relationships
If the opposite of up is down, and the opposite of right is left, then the opposite of love is hate, right? Not so fast. The opposite of love is NOT hate. Why? Because with the word Love, people have feelings and think about another person. And with hate, it is same with different intentions. So the opposite…
Read MoreWISE PARENTS – Issue of Parenting, Relationships
There is a name that brings an image to mind. It’s the image of sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, a quick trip to the bathroom, an internal conversation that goes something like, “Why would someone do that?” or “you must be out of your mind.” The name is Nik Wallenda. He was born into…
Read MoreKIDS CRAVE ATTENTION – Issues of Parenting, Relationships
Have you ever spent time with an attention grabber? You know what an attention grabber is, don’t you? It’s the person who has to be first, has to be the center of attention, or has to be the dominant voice in a conversation. I’m sure as an adult you been to a party or function…
Read MoreSTORY TELLING – Issues of Parenting
Reading to kids or telling pretend stories to your kids or grandkids is becoming a lost art. It’s not that we don’t think it’s important. There isn’t a parent on the planet who doesn’t see the importance and relevance of reading stories or telling bedtime stories to their kids. It’s just that we’re on the…
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