It turns out that one of my co-workers is quite the detective. Barbara has been the treasurer at church for a number of years. She is very good at dealing with figures and understands the complexities of non-profit organizational finances. I didn’t know about her sleuthing abilities until recently. Barbara was injured in a car accident that took place in a neighboring city a few weeks ago. She was transported to the hospital and missed a few days of…
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…
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…
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…
I have been observing the saga that led to the termination of Texas Tech’s Head Football coach, Mike Leach, since it all started right after Christmas. I will always be a loyal Tech fan. A lot of fans are outraged at the manner in which he has been treated, so it is with great caution that I weigh in on a subject that is close to the hearts of many. There is not much doubt that the player Leach is accused…
If you live in Green Bay Wisconsin, early morning single digit temperatures during the winter months are just part of another day. But we live in Granbury, Texas. We are not accustomed to the arctic chill. We are really just a bunch of sissies, when it comes to cold weather. Well…maybe I should speak for myself. A friend posted the following status update very early this morning on facebook: Single digit temp… wind gusts at 30… morning run doesn’t sound…
I attended my first funeral service for 2010 this afternoon. A young 42 year old man passed away rather suddenly after a brief illness. He was a volunteer firefighter in Granbury, so that was my basis of association with him. I have served with his wife on several community related projects. You would think a veteran minister would become accustomed to attending and officiating at funerals. But they are never routine. I hope that never happens. When I reach the point that…