Browsed by
Author: John Knox

Abused Children Need Heroes: I Just Happened to Meet One Last Night

Abused Children Need Heroes: I Just Happened to Meet One Last Night

We have a “Dale” at camp this week, and the truth is every child that has been abused or neglected needs one. I saw Dale for the first time Monday night when I went out the camp with a group of men to relieve the male counselors for a couple of hours.  We show up in the evening, so they can get a break to shower and relax after a full day of serving a special group of children.  As…

Read More Read More

I Think I Created a Monster…

I Think I Created a Monster…

When I tell people that my firstborn turned 23 this past week, they tell me that kids often come home after leaving the nest.  I always listen and smile politely, but they obviously don’t know my Randall.  He was my child that gave us the “who are you look” when we would come to pick him after staying with his favorite caregiver as a baby. And he was the same child that never looked back when I dropped him off…

Read More Read More

Removing the Shield of Pride: What the Process of Grief Is Teaching Me

Removing the Shield of Pride: What the Process of Grief Is Teaching Me

I am a pretty guarded person.  I am especially guarded in what I share regarding my personal life. Part of that is a professional hazard.  I stand up and speak to 600 people nearly every Sunday.  I might as well paint a target across my chest.  People feel free to tell me what they think at will.   To be perfectly honest I speak to a group of extremely gracious people. Their comments are often very kind and supportive. But nevertheless…

Read More Read More

Get out the Glue: Some Assembly is Required!

Get out the Glue: Some Assembly is Required!

Some assembly required.  I really don’t like that phrase at all.  For starters I don’t follow directions very well.  And the truth is I am just not that handy to start with. As far as I am concerned things that require some assembly just need to remain on the shelf. I have been reminded over the past several years that relationships often require some assembly too.  And I am all about successful relationships.  I can’t stand the thought of anyone…

Read More Read More

A Complete Inability to Tell the Truth

A Complete Inability to Tell the Truth

Some people just have a complete inability to tell the truth.  In working with police officers over the years, I have consistently observed people telling bold faced lies that are easily disputed. In a lot of cases, it would have been much easier just to tell the truth in the first place.  Recently I observed that a lack of truth telling can take on more than one form. There are human beings who simply cannot express the truth about other…

Read More Read More

Ministering to People on the Streets for 22 Years…Have I Learned Anything?

Ministering to People on the Streets for 22 Years…Have I Learned Anything?

As a volunteer law enforcement chaplain, I have walked a delicate line for over 22 years. I am a Christian minister, and I so I have a solemn duty to act in a way that represents Christianity properly.  But I am also called to serve in an environment that is often dark.  More specifically I am called to serve the officers that share my Christian values, and I am also called to serve those that do not. I am expected…

Read More Read More

A New Washer Machine Marks the End of an Era: Words for Young Parents

A New Washer Machine Marks the End of an Era: Words for Young Parents

My mother cried the day my dad traded off our light blue 1969 Plymouthstation wagon. I recall rolling my eyes and thinking that I had a mother who was just a tad kooky. 38 years later I think I understand how she felt.  The appliance man just loaded up the washer machine I purchased when our oldest son was an infant.  I am glad to report that the kind man from Sears did not have to offer me a handkerchief…

Read More Read More

A Week with Charlie

A Week with Charlie

In June of 1985, I took my first graduate level course in theology at Abilene Christian University.  Dr. Royce Money, who was later named president for ACU, taught that course on pastoral skills for ministry leaders. I learned principles in that class that I still use today. In 1988, Dr. Charles Siburt joined The Graduate School of Theology faculty at ACU. He soon assumed responsibility for teaching ministry courses in the curriculum for graduate level students.  Dr. Siburt endured me…

Read More Read More

Father’s Day is Tomorrow…and There Will be NO Whining!

Father’s Day is Tomorrow…and There Will be NO Whining!

Father’s Day is tomorrow and there will be no whining.  Complaining is not allowed.  Pouting is forbidden. There will be no self centered negative emotions. Having a bad attitude is totally out of the question. I really should provide some form of an explanation… My first Father’s Day without my dad was in 1978.  It occurred a few weeks after my 16thbirthday.  It was a sad day indeed.  And even though I am blessed with three remarkable sons I still…

Read More Read More

Do Doctors Really Care about their Patients?

Do Doctors Really Care about their Patients?

In various modalities of training over the years, I have been instructed not to get too involved with people and their problems.  The admonition is: don’t become enmeshed with the issues of others. There are a host of reasons for such words of caution.   I am fully aware that individuals in people helping professionals will suffer from burn out if they fail to erect meaningful boundaries.  But there is a flipside to this issue that is not referenced as often…

Read More Read More