Celebrating the Journey

The holidays are usually a time to catch up with old friends. This year was no exception.  There are always conversations that start with: “How is _____ doing? What is going on in their life?” During the course of one of those interchanges a friend of mine described some mutual acquaintances in the following manner: They seem restless. They are probing for something. They spend a lot of time going to self-help conferences…They are searching for meaning and for some…

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Recently a friend shared the idea that our personal flaws can be compared to an elephant in the room: difficult not to see and even harder to get past… I concur. Most of us have a clear awareness of the elephant standing in the room of our hearts. We know what our faults are and they are unlikely to be eradicated simply by making a few New Year’s resolutions.  What is the alternative then?  I have a few musings on…

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One of the young police officers that I am privileged to serve made the comment last night that he used some extra money he had made to purchase a new washer and dryer. He and his wife are expecting a baby, so that is a wise move on his part.  But I popped off my mouth and said:  “I am not buying a washer and dryer. My extra funds are going toward custom made golf clubs.”  Of course that is pure nonsense. But…

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The year should not end without a thorough inventory. New Year’s Resolutions should not be entertained until such a process can be completed.  I am referring to an inventory of blessing.  How have you been blessed this year? How has your life been enriched and fortified? Have you taken careful inventory? This year has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination for me. I watched two of my friends from childhood suffer from cancer and ultimately pass from…

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I wonder how many people will make New Year’s Resolutions to lose a few pounds this year.  And furthermore I wonder how many people will resolve to eat healthier after a holiday season of parties, goodies, and ongoing overeating.  Resolutions are a good thing.  I presume that good will ultimately develop from such commitments.  I realized this fall that I could not wait until January 1st of next year to get on a healthier track.  A good friend here in…

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I am a self proclaimed anti-social human being on Monday’s.  Sundays are typically 15 hour people intensive days for me. By the time Monday morning around, I am feeling somewhat reclusive.  Consequently I enjoy playing a round of golf by myself on Monday after enjoying a Taco Villa burrito in a similar state of solitude. But today was destined to be different. A couple in front of me on the front 9 holes at the golf course asked me to…

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I have never been a minority.  I don’t really think that I have ever been discriminated against either. (Although I have encountered people that simply don’t like ministers. No matter whom you are or what you have done.) Yesterday I got a tiny glimpse into what life is like for a person that others have determined to be inferior. I am one of the hosts for a wonderful friend from Chihuahua Cityin Northern Mexico this weekend. In fact, he is…

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In less than two years, we will be empty nesters. I hear tales of children coming home when they are well into their adult years, but that is highly unlikely in our family.  Our boys have always been really independent in a positive way.  In recent months, I find myself thinking a lot like people in that stage of life. My days of teaching teenagers in a Sunday school context at church are nearly over. Coaching debaters at the high…

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By the time Friday rolls around, I find myself exhausted and ready for a very short break before the day that ministers actually work…Sunday. For someone that only works one day a week I sure am tired on Friday afternoons. In recent weeks, I have found that Friday rolls around and I have experienced a certain degree of grouchiness to accompany the fatigue. I decided today to put an end to it. During my daily walk this afternoon I started…

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Enlightened people can very difficult to be around… Over the years I have interacted with individuals that have experienced a time of spiritual enlightenment or renewal in their life. I have known others that have had a similar life occurrence in the academic realm. It would be nice to think that the spiritually enlightened among us are now closer to God, and thus able to make a significant difference in the world we live in as a result. The same…

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