I should have never gone in alone. I know better. When facing a potentially dangerous situation, it is never good to fly solo. But I ignored the internal warnings going off in my head, and moved ahead by myself. It was dark and scary, but too late to turn back. I really should have told the boys to call somone if I am not back in 30 minutes. Ten minutes into the mission I started wishing I had brought a flashlight. …
2009 did not turn out like I expected. In looking back at 12 months ago, I am not exactly sure what I anticipated that the year would bring. I think I probably had some grandiose plans in December of 2008 for the upcoming year. I think I probably made a list of New Year’s Resolutions, but I am not doing that this year. Life is too unpredictabe for resolutions! I am going to cast them aside this year. 2009 brought a plethora of unexpected events. The…
I don’t think being raised as preacher’s kids has been all that rough on my boys, but I am sure they would tell a very different story. I am sure it would be one worth listening to very carefully. They were conscripted into doing a few things that normal kids did not have to do. When I needed to make pastoral visits at the nursing home, I often coerced them into going with me. Older people confined to care facilities love…
I have taken courses on ethics in graduate school. The study of human behavior and choices at that level is a stretch for most anyone. Sometimes it is helpful to return to the basics. I had that experience today. We had an area meeting for one of the law agencies I serve today. The newly appointed captain came out to meet those working under his command. He is an impressive leader both in stature and in attitude! He told those…
When my older boys were in middle school, the campus always named a student of the month. That student’s picture would be featured in the local newspaper. The school would list academic and extra curricular accomplishments to accompany the photo. I never had to worry about being student of the month. I attended school everyday simply because my parents forced it on me. I was not one to play up to the teacher either. So student of the month awards…
An absence of trouble or just an absence… I would love to raise my kids in an environment that factors out trouble. I wish there would not destructive forces that posesses the capacity to change the course of their entire life. I further wish that I could steer them away from areas where trouble lurks in the shadows. I have been down many of those dark alleys myself. I hate to see my children venture down such areas. Today in…
Well that is no big deal! What is your problem? Get over it! Those are among the top ten phrases not to use when someone has been impacted by a traumatic event. I would add these common quips to that list as well: I have seen a lot worse. That is just life. That should not bother you. Why are you still talking about it? People process trauma differently. The same event can affect a group of involved individuals in…
A friend of mine duly noted on his facebook status this morning that he was tired of hearing about the troubles of Tiger Woods. I imagine he is not the only one. An early morning car crash soon led to rumors of domestic violence and marital infidelity. The media has been relentless in their coverage. Tiger finally conceded on his website earlier this week that he regrets his transgressions with all his heart. Is Tiger sincere? Does he have a…
I just finised the second book written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Their recent release is entitled: What Difference Do it Make? It is a sequel to their first work: Same Kind of Different as Me. Ron is a successful international art dealer. Denver spent some time years ago in the infamous Angola Prison. He was a homeless man making his way on the streets of Ft. Worth when Ron met him. The story of their unlikely friendship and…
Thanksgiving is about to roll around again soon. Families will get together to eat and watch football. There might be a round or two of golf around here, if the weather is pretty. Deer hunting is probably another option for some. I also know that Thanksgiving fires off a season that can be sad and stressful. I did not grow up sharing the holidays with extended family. There were a lot of reasons for that. It was just a fact…