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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
When I saw the faces of those traumatized following the shooting in Connecticuttoday I felt helpless. I felt a deep-seated longing to serve those who were hurting. But I quickly concluded that praying for victims and first- responders alike was my exclusive responsibility. And then I realized that I had reached a premature conclusion. I can show respect for the traumatized in Connecticut by serving those who are hurting in my own community. The circumstances are obviously much different. But…
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…
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…
NYPD officer Lawrence Deprimo is quite the celebrity right now. A lady visiting New York from Phoenix caught him on camera putting a pair of socks and new water proof boots on a homeless man, who had no shoes in this late November weather. The photographer grew up in a law enforcement family. Her dad was a 32 year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. There are several things that stand out to me about this event that has gone…
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…