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Category: Friendship

Do we Value and Respect Those Closest to Us?

Do we Value and Respect Those Closest to Us?

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Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for best picture in 1990. The story line revolves around the relationship of an elderly Jewish woman from Atlanta, GA and her African American chauffer, Hoke.  Jessica Tandy won the Academy Award for best actress in a leading role that year.  Morgan Freeman was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Hoke. In one particular scene, Miss Daisy is going to a formal banquet to hear after dinner speaker, Dr. Martin Luther…

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Saying Goodbye to Another Mentor…

Saying Goodbye to Another Mentor…

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He opened the cash register and handed me a dollar bill…What’s this for, I asked? Well it is obvious you can’t afford a razor, so here is a dollar to go buy one.  I got the message…I was expected to show up for work clean shaven. I was an 18-year-old freshman at Texas Tech University in  the fall of 1980.  The man offering me the necessary funds to buy a razor was Bill Groux. Bill owned and operated one of…

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Selling Love in a Tent

Selling Love in a Tent

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There is a Valentines Day tent set up in the parking lot of one our local retailers today. They are marketing flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and a wide assortment of heart shaped objects just waiting to be purchased. Valentines Day is big business. I won’t be visiting the tent today.  I have already ordered something I thought to be unique and fitting for the occasion. Valentines Day is supposed to be a day that represents love. Actually I think there…

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Denying Someone the Power of Compassion

Denying Someone the Power of Compassion

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Yesterday as I lectured at a theological institute in Torreon, MexicoI noticed a lady sitting on the front row eagerly following everything I was saying in English. (My translator was taking everything I said and sharing it in Spanish as I delivered the lecture.)  Naturally it was reassuring to see that at least one person could understand my message in English. A little later in the day I learned more about her story. Johanna (not her real name) was arrested…

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I Will Give You a Piece of My…..A Piece of My What?

I Will Give You a Piece of My…..A Piece of My What?

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I will give you a piece of my mind… in a New York minute.  Communicating interpersonally in a manner that lacks tact is one of my longtime failings. I am blunt to a fault. My sweet little bride tells me that I get my fists up verbally. I have attempted to take some corrective measures over the years, but I have found another flaw in the process. In the process of evading communication that is a little too direct, I…

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Monterey High School Class of 1980: Most Inspiring Person

Monterey High School Class of 1980: Most Inspiring Person

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I graduated one quarter early from high school. That meant in February of 1980 I was a free man.  That sounds like I was brighter than the average student that waited until the final class was completed at the end of the school year. That was not the case at all. If the truth be known, I made that choice because I had been kicked off the debate team due to disciplinary reasons.  Needless to say as the school year…

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Being Mentally Challenged Does Not Mean that You Cannot Challenge…

Being Mentally Challenged Does Not Mean that You Cannot Challenge…

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I miss Kenny. He was one of my biggest supporters at church. Kenny was 68 years old.  Kenny provided weekly commentary on my sermons.  If he thought the sermon was on target, he shared that sentiment.  And if he thought it was not quite up to par, he shared that too.  At first I was tempted not to take him seriously. You see Kenny was mentally challenged. As time went on, I learned that being mentally challenged does not mean…

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You are Competent…BUT Do You Like the People?

You are Competent…BUT Do You Like the People?

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My Texas Tech Red Raiders just hired Kliff Kingsbury as their head football coach.  Just last week Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator for The Texas A&M program, where freshman quarterback “Johnny Football” received the Heisman Trophy.  A few eyes were raised regarding Kingsbury’s age. Serving as Tech’s head coach at age 33 will indeed be a challenge. A quote from Coach Kingsbury in today’s edition of Lubbock’s Avalanche Journal caught my attention: “I love the people of West Texas. I’ve…

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Sitting at the Feet of an 81 Year Old Man…

Sitting at the Feet of an 81 Year Old Man…

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Last week I was asked out to breakfast by a friend of mine who is in deep grief.  His wife of over 62 years passed away in September.  Naturally I accepted his invitation.  He is lost right now.  Just lost… I was on a mission last week. I went to breakfast that morning with the intent of listening carefully and expressing compassion.  Something very odd happened that morning. I left the little café where a lot of us enjoy breakfast…

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Everybody Needs a “Tony”

Everybody Needs a “Tony”

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Serving as a physician in the emergency department of a busy hospital is hard work.  It is as simple as that. And the experience is nothing like what is portrayed on television.  There are intoxicated people that curse at you, and other patients that are angry because they had to wait to long in the waiting room. There are others that are admitted because they are hearing voices. “ER docs” as we call them here in Texas treat sick babies…

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