Busyness has invaded our lives. Or, maybe we’ve opened the door, widely, in pursuit of wealth and success and leisure and affirmation of our worth. A news article recently wrote that 70% of all workers average less than 8 hours of sleep each night, and with that, productivity drops. Those of us in Southern California especially deal with this, but the problem touches all of America. I’m no exception—even in retirement I have a multitude of projects on the list. I almost wonder what I’ll do when the list gets completed. That’s part of the reason ...
Read MoreWho is this Baby?
I loved my grandkids when they were babies. They cuddled and desperately needed us adults. But they didn't stay in that infant state. Nor did Jesus stay at the stage we celebrate at this time of year. What does that mean for our daily lives?
Read MoreUnseen Forces
November 5, 2017, a day that shook us to our core, both individually and nationally. A gunman invaded the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, TX, killing 26 people. Although out of town that Sunday, the pastor, Frank Pomeroy, gave a sermon the week before that gained wide coverage, “You Don’t Need Training Wheels, You Need Christ!” He taught on Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” His Harley parked in front of the pulpit, Pomeroy told how bikers need to...
Read MoreDon't Sweat the Small Stuff--Right?
Decades back, I learned to not sweat the small stuff. Some problems and irritations just aren’t worth getting stressed over—they merely upset us and nothing changes for the good. At times we should be a duck—let the small stuff roll off our backs like water off a duck. But last week at Sedona Arizona, I learned to ...
Read MoreMy Latest, and Maybe Greatest, New Temptation
The pic above reveals my latest, and maybe greatest, new temptation. No, not a Honda S2000 sports car, one that tempts me to break every speed limit I can. No, just a regular and slow 4 cylinder Accord. But with a handicapped plate, one that allows the vehicle to park free at meters instead of paying a fee, to park close to stores instead of six miles away, and even to use high occupancy lanes when alone. So why the temptation? I’m not handicapped. Now, my wife has fibromyalgia and qualifies, but only when she’s in the vehicle. Frankly, I’d ...
Read MoreGoodwill to All?
Filled with peace from a challenging worship service, having enjoyed an unusually small crowd at Trader Joe’s to pick up just three items, rejoicing in the onset of the Christmas season once Thanksgiving meals have been digested, heading home to watch my Rams on TV, in the fullness of time I needed to move over to the right side of the two lane road. A large dark SUV cruised half a car length...
Read MoreA Man and His Razor
Most men shave most days, and it’s funny the bond you can build with an inanimate object. My face has developed a close friendship with a Gillette Mach 3 razor, ever since a friend, who worked for Gillette, gave me one 15 years ago. I now suspect he merely desired to induce me to buy Mach 3 blades. If so, he won—a lot went on my Costco credit card. That Gillette served me well and pleased me, until last July. On a motorcycle trip to Taos, my longtime friend and riding partner gave me a Schick Quattro, which amazed me at how smoothly it glided over my skin. It gave me a close shave with just one pass of the blade. But…
Read MoreMisery--A Choice?
In early October around mid afternoon, the F150 pulled into a campground on Rock Creek. Gear quickly shifted from the truck to the site, I used a flex hose to connect the propane tank to my camp stove, and headed down to the stream for some solo fishing. Not another fisherfolk in sight, and the trout bit eagerly. A great beginning, and I cleaned the two keepers. Time now for dinner, so I got the tamales and chili ready to heat, but the stove
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