There is a lot of pressure at the holidays to somehow replicate what is portrayed in a Norman Rockwell painting. Or better yet, we feel the need to experience Christmas like the Depression era Walton family portrayed on television 40 years ago. I am going to call of that what it truly is…It’s nonsense. It’s not real life. This week I am officiating at two funeral services. One of my colleagues is officiating at another funeral service for a…
A very personal event that impacted me profoundly some months ago has caused me to realize what true friendship looks like. You would think at my age I would have a pretty good grasp of what makes up a meaningful relationship. But I am finding that I have a lot to learn. I had an experience that was personally discouraging and unsettling. And it to top it off, it was scary too. What did I learn about friendship? · …
Let’s face it. The holidays are stressful. Last week I heard several stories of family disunity and dysfunction. A father lives in the same town as his grown daughter and grandchildren, but doesn’t even as much as call them on Thanksgiving. In other scenarios, step-children appear to get a greater degree of attention then blood relatives on a holiday. Holiday plans are made. Family members are purposely left out. The possibilities for conflict and hurt feelings seem endless. The holidays…
Judy Siburt is one of my all-time favorite people. In a recent post, she made the following observation. “A gift of a long, sturdy friendship is one of God’s greatest blessings.” I understand the concept of long-time friendship really well. But the word “sturdy” caused me to pause. I have used that word in reference to a woodworking project, but not as a descriptor of friendship. But who am I to question a career educator regarding word choice! “Sturdy.” It…
Dr. Jerry Taylor is one of my all-time favorite speakers. I have invited him to speak every year since I have been in Granbury. And he spoke for us at an old fashioned tent meeting when I was serving in Woodward, OK. He is a fine man. Last Sunday he hit a home-run. His sermon was convicting, inspiring, and moving. I laughed, cried, and had my toes stepped on during the course of one lesson! It was just good. During…
The word “hypocrite” is often misapplied. The term is commonly applied to those that display their flaws at the most inopportune times. But that is a misapplication. The term was originally used to refer to onstage actors in ancient Greece. If you are a true hypocrite, you are simply playing a part really well. I have known a few hypocrites over the years. You have too. There really are people that are insincere. They want others to think they are…
I am a part of a very entitled generation. We feel eligible for every benefit that life has to offer. Go on and it give it to us, because we have it coming. There is no doubt that we are qualified to be on the receiving end of all good things. I would like to think that I live above the fray. I would like to conclude that I am an oddity among Baby Boomers. This whole entitlement thing never…
Why am I being criticized for THAT? It doesn’t seem to be an issue of any consequence at all…Why is someone SO angry over THAT? It seems to be a matter of such little consequence. We have all been there. We have been on the other end of another’s person anger or irrational behavior. When they tell us what set it off, we are stunned. I serve with a volunteer leader at church who has figured such seemingly irrational behavior…
I had an old school world history teacher in the 9thgrade that frequently told her students to “wake up and smell the coffee.” It irritated me at the time, but now I find myself embracing the very idea she was trying to get across. I have been more fortunate than most. I’ve been surrounded my entire adult life by really good mentors. I have been able to observe, interact, and become personally acquainted with exceptional leaders. Many of those individuals…
It’s been 34 years now…I dropped out of school 34 years ago this month. I was right in the middle of my sophomore year at Texas Tech. One day in October of 1981 I just stopped going to class. I suspect you are already forming assumptions. Most likely your assumptions are correct. Yes….a girl was involved. I was seeing an “older woman.” I was 19 and she was approaching 21. She had a job in a bank. And she dressed…