I prefer to play golf by myself on my precious Mondays. I generally put in about 12 intense hours on Sunday, so by the time Monday rolls around I am usually downright anti-social. But this past Monday I happened to pick up and play golf with a very interesting man. He “retired” to Granbury from the Chicago area in 1980. That is a long time to be retired! As I heard his story this afternoon, I soon figured out that…
He never embezzled any funds. He did not take advantage of people in business deals. He treated all of his customers with the same level of fairness and dignity. In fact, he dealt with the young adult just getting started in life in the same manner as he would an individual who already possessed significant assets. The man’s name is Tommy Wallace. He retired a few weeks ago after 64 years in the banking business. A lot has changed in…
You have no doubt seen the show: Walker: Texas Ranger. Chuck Norris fit the role ideally. He of course was portrayed as a cult hero of sorts. One article describes the show as being appealing because of its improbable combination of martial arts and modern Western genres, and its wildly unrealistic depiction of police work. That is pretty accurate. Most recently Texas Governor Rick Perry honored Norris by making him an “Honorary Texas Ranger” at the Garland office of the Texas Department of Public…
My boys will soon receive the annual Mother’s Day Lecture. It is a lesson that is never forgone around the Knox household. It generally includes the same key points: wear nice clothes to church, sit with your mother in the worship assembly, be home for lunch, no crude discussion at the table, and above all….be on your best behavior for the day. They always take it well, and generally go above the call of duty to honor their mother. This…
I went by the office to surprise Jan by taking her out to lunch. What I failed to tell her is that I left my wallet at the house this morning, and she would have to pick up the check. We went to the Firehouse Café to dine on the lunch special of the day. The Firehouse is one of those places where everybody knows your name. We not only enjoyed our meal, but we also got to visit with…
What is the real story? I have a colleague that poses this question to me at least three or four times a week. What is the real story driving a person’s actions? That is the query he poses so regularly. A friend becomes enraged at something that appears trivial to those closest to him. And everyone wonders privately: what set him off? Others seem to have a complete inability to engage in meaningful interpersonal relationships. Friendships begin with a bang,…
He comprado una cama de hoy para ser colocado en la sala de recién formado invitado. Compramos nuestra primera casa en 1992, y vivió en varias propiedades de alquiler durante los últimos 8 años. No recuerdo haber tenido nunca un área en la casa designada como una sala de visita! Como ya he arrastrado el colchón y base de resortes a casa de una venta de garaje de hoy, mi mente vagaba de nuevo a esta época del año en 1989. Jan Randall estaba…
I purchased a bed today to be placed in our newly formed guest room. We bought our first home in 1992, and lived in several rental properties during the preceding 8 years. I don’t recall ever having an area in the house designated as a guest room! As I hauled the mattress and box springs home from a garage sale today, my mind wandered back to about this time of year in 1989. Jan was expecting Randall around the first…
Mark and Ali Kaiser are my friends in Brazil. They are doing ministry in ways that I still dream of doing ministry. Their sleeves are rolled up and they are serving those that are homeless and people struggling with drug addiction. In recent months they formed a vision of purchasing two buildings in the city of Itu to use as half-way houses for those struggling with addictions. That dream became a reality this past week. Here is their most recent…
My patience level with people that are constantly chattering about good things they intend to do seems to be decreasing more every single day. My dad used to reference individuals that are: “all talk and no do.” I call it “blowing smoke.” And I my patience with smoke blowers is nearly exhausted. Today at the funeral service for Deputy Clifton Taylor, who was killed in the line of duty last Saturday, the sheriff of Johnson County made some observations about a…