Our society is becoming increasingly casual. When my father worked for International Harvester and later for the J.I. Case Company, he wore dark suits and a pressed white shirt everyday. I seriously doubt that corporate employees across the board are that formal anymore. I still wear a dress shirt and a tie on most Sundays, when I preach. I am not inclined to wear a suit in the summertime. But that has not always been the case. There was a…
This week has been a whirlwind. I am officiating at funerals on both Thursday and Friday. I will in turn officiate at a wedding on Saturday. Major life changes for all three of the above mentioned families. They are all fine people. In the midst of those life altering events, I saw this quote on still another facebook status: “Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong–sometimes it’s letting go.” Reading that quote actually caused me to want…
I am not very good at keeping up with the latest trends in men’s apparel. I am content to wear a pair of Levis and my t-shirt that says: Old Guys Rule on the back. I can even be seen a freshly starched shirt with a tie periodically too. During a recent school shopping run to Kohl’s the boys informed that scarves were stylish for men. You have got to be kidding? I immediately had flashbacks to my formative years….
I just can’t help it… People in the counseling profession occasionally hear such firm assertions. When confronted with inappropriate behavior, the response is: I just can’t help it. That is pretty weak. A good counselor will guide a person to see the importance of personal responsibility. I heard the: I can’t help it phrase in a much different context this afternoon at the funeral service for Neva Lacy. Neva was a dedicated volunteer at the Southside Church of Christ in…
My short term memory is really lacking. I misplace my keys at least once a day. My glasses are seldom put in the same place in the evening before bedtime. When I leave for working early in the morning, I am notorious about leaving my cell phone at home. I have told Jan that such events occur because I am thinking about the theory of relativity and pondering some aspect of metaphysics.She claims attributes the daily search and rescue missions…
Our friends Joe and Elaine Pruett were in from San Antonio this weekend. Joe and Elaine just recently moved back to the states, after a lengthy stint in Guadalajara. Their Hispanic neighbors in San Antonio are quite shocked to hear their three fair skinned boys speaking flawless Spanish. I asked Elaine today: What do you miss the most about Guadalajara right now? I think they miss a lot of things about it actually. She told me that she misses having…
Someone called the police. I really don’t know why. Several patrol cars suddenly descended on the dark parking lot, where we had gathered. The year was 1978. I was participating in a high school debate tournament in Odessa the night the cops showed up. To be more precise, I was in the parking lot of the hotel where we were staying. A group of us decided that evening to play toga football in the parking area adjacent to our rooms….
Why bother? Why bother packing up a group of professionals and willing volunteers to go travel to Northern Mexico for a medical mission trip. It is a complete waste of time and energy. I have been told that it really does not make any difference. When we come home, the poverty many of the people face will still pervade cities and rural areas alike. We are not going to change anything on a permanent basis. Why bother? I have been…
October is rapidly approaching. Most schools have been in session since late August. As the leaves on the trees start to turn golden and auburn, educators everywhere are already starting to feel a little weary. The paperwork never ends. There are helicopter parents hovering over their children and making sure their little darlings are being adequately prepared for Harvard in the third grade. High school teachers are trying to motivate kids who are already on their own. Mom and dad…
The lyrics to a Daughtry song caught my attention, as I was heading home for lunch today. The title of the song is: Call Your Name. It falls into the “breakup” song genre.I am not really into breakup songs, but this one actually has pretty compelling lyrics. One line reads as follows: There’s gotta be a better way for me to say what’s on my heart without leaving scars. Is there? I prided myself for years on being blunt. I…