I’ve played a lot of football. Pickup tackle games in HS and college and later, wearing just T shirts and shorts. Intramural in college, even several seasons in a competitive flag league in my mid 50s. But the pic above depicts a different way to play football. In my mid 40s, Temecula had the Over the Hill Pigskin Shoot Out, where guys over 30 strapped on pads and played for charity. The pic above was the first game—and the first time I…
Read MoreTransforming Gratitude--Thursday
Jesus. A real person. Anchored in history. Four biographies written by his contemporaries. All attest he was the Son of God. But what does he look like? In most depictions in America he looks Caucasian. Shop for a velvet painting in Tijuana—Hispanic. I’ve seen images of him as black, Asian, about all. We all seem to envision him like ourselves, and I kind of like that. But…
Read MoreTransforming Gratitude--Tuesday
Although they’d never admit it publicly, among themselves pastors often confess, “I really love the church. But I sure struggle with some of the people.” And we’re all like that, being imperfect with some rough edges. Science defines friction as two uneven surfaces that rub against one another, producing heat.” We can all relate to that. However…
Read MoreTransforming Gratitude--Monday
The brevity of Thanksgiving has long troubled me. One day. And really, just a moment there, with a quick prayer of thanks before feasting with the family begins, before old stories are remembered and new ones get shared, before we chew down a handful of Tums. Then a good friend, Murray Pura, piqued my thoughts by posting a Canadian Thanksgiving menu covering four days. Why can’t we focus on…
Read MoreThe Gratitude Challenge
This fearsome sevensome, a blend of riders from two local churches, putted a week ago from Temecula up the back way to Big Bear. Yeah, we wandered off on some side roads. But once we reached the big evergreens, relaxation grew. Something about the aroma of pine and cedar and the crispness of mountain air, coupled with the beauty of creation, always soothes my soul. We lunched at Mountain Munchies before heading down the front route, until…
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