When I took Algebra in the 9th grade, I had Miss Jackson. She was an excellent first-year teacher. She was also the most beautiful math teacher that the Lubbock Independent School District had ever employed. Naturally, I did quite well in math that year. Mark Rose and I competed with each other to see who could get a higher “A” average. By the time I got around to taking Algebra II in high school, the landscape had changed. My male…
It was my first day of school today. I asked Jan to pack my lunch in a metal lunch box like I used to take to Wind Point Elementary back in the day. That was when Snack Pack Pudding was in a can with a pop-top lid. Cheetos were in a blue bag. We had a matching thermos for our milk, or it could be purchased for a nickel. She was not very cooperative, though. She made no effort to…
Today is January 19th, and I have already attended three funerals this year. Hopefully, that rate will slow down soon. Today’s service was for fallen Arlington, TX police officer Craig Story. He was killed in the line of duty last Wednesday. Hundreds of officers traveled from all over Texas to support his family and department. I accompanied our Honor Guard from the Granbury Police Dept. to today’s service. All of the traditions of a police funeral were carried out today…
When a student commits a major infraction at school in Granbury these days, they are sent to the Behavioral Transition Center. I have to say that the members of the faculty at that campus really are prompting behavioral transitions for the kids entrusted to their care. The program is well-structured, and the teachers are exceptional. When I was a hooligan in high school, the administration was not interested in transitioning behavior. Such sophisticated phrases were not on their radar screen. Corporal punishment, however, was…
Pat Robertson has created quite a stir this week following his comments regarding Haitian history within hours of the horribly devastating earthquake this poor country has experienced. I read his comments. I read what people had to say about his comments. And then I visited his website to read the reaction to the media stir he has created. I am not a Haitian history scholar, and it appears that Pat Robertson is not either. It is a good rule of thumb not…
One of the latest trends in the church planting movement is the development of satellite congregations. Large churches find a meeting place in a neighboring area and plant a satellite location. Here is where it gets interesting: The new locale receives the Sunday service via streaming video from the Mother Church. In other words, there is not a real live preacher or worship leader present. I do understand that the video quality is exceptional. Time will tell if such a strategy is going…
I still think like a child. That will come as no surprise to those who know me well. And those closest to me would point out that I still act like one as well. No one is perfect. Since I think like a child, I assume that my personal heroes are invincible. My mentors are supposed to be like one of the Power Rangers or Superman. They are not supposed to be affected by the aging process. They should always…
I talk to myself on a very regular basis. But I am not crazy in the least. I know this to be true because I don’t answer myself. My mother always told me that a person is not crazy unless he answers himself. Why would I not believe my own mother? She was a credible person. Honesty is always a good policy. I suppose I do sort of answer myself because I carry on entire conversations with myself. There is not…
It was a beautiful service for a beautiful lady. I attended the funeral service for Christy Schulte today in Wichita Falls. I have known Christy and her family for almost 23 years. She was 49 years old . I put on my dark suit and made the trek to Wichita Falls today for one reason. I wanted to support members of Christy’s family, who are all dear friends. I love each of them. They are quite a crew to say the least! …
I have this crazy idea. It is not the first one I have had and it won’t be the last either. I want my 80-year-olds at church to have a forum to interact with my 30-somethings. In a large church, that simply does not happen. We gravitate relationally to our peers. The merits of intergenerational friendships can be discussed all day long, but in the final analysis, it just does not happen. As a rule, my 80-somethings are not familiar…