Last week a longtime and dear friend was robbed and assaulted at her place of business in Wichita Falls. She spent the night in the hospital stemming from her injuries. It is hard to describe, but I felt like a member of my own family had been hurt. The feelings I had toward the perpetrator were not….well I probably should not share them. I knew intuitively that the fine men and women who serve in the Criminal Investigation Division of…
My big mouth has always gotten me in trouble. Sunday was no exception. I preached on the subject of “mercy” yesterday. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy was my assigned passage. I defined “mercy” during the course of the sermon. Mercy is compassion or sympathy in action. It is taking positive action when someone is in trouble. It is not mere idle sentiment or vain words. That is good stuff. And so far so good on…
I am not writing from a prison cell tonight, but it is not like that would be beyond the scope of possibility. I graduated from high school with very average grades, made below average grades my first two years of college, and miraculously got with the program and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1984. I went on to earn both masters and doctoral level degrees. That is sure proof that miracles do not cease. How did that happen? Why…
School starts a week from Monday around here. It is a monumental year for the Knox family. Randall begins his senior year in college. Where did that go? Daniel begins his freshman year in college. Another child leaves home…And then Mitchell will begin his freshman year in high school. Crossland 9th Grade Center is not ready for him. I know that for a fact. Academic pursuits have been emphasized around the Knox household long before Randall started Kindergarten. Jan started…
Last night I delivered a lecture on ethics in law enforcement to the Granbury Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association. During the course of the presentation I cautioned the group about accepting discounts at restaurants, because of their association with the police department. Little did I know at the time what was going to take place this morning?I joined my usual Friday morning breakfast group at the Firehouse Café bright and early today. Robert has been waiting on our table for…
A criminal has been paroled. His name is burnout. Last week I referenced Anne Jackson’s excellent work entitled: Mad Church Disease in contrasting the difference between exhaustion and burnout. She does a good job citing the true causes of burnout. (See my August 3rd blog entry in the archives.) Let’s say that you are burned out…How is such an emotional state reversed? I like the idea of going on a cruise. An extended golf trip sounds even better. I know I…
When I lecture to groups regarding serving people in times of crisis, there is always one theme that will not go unmentioned. I attempt to gently remind all of us that the phrase: call me if there is anything I can do is not helpful to people in the middle of a personal traumatic event such as serious illness or the loss of a family member. Individuals in crisis do not have the energy to call for help. Their thought…
The day they had all been waiting for had finally arrived. Anticipation filled the air. The Cub Scouts gathered at the front of the room, clutching the little wooden sailboats they had so carefully painted and decorated in preparation for the big event – the annual Rain Gutter Regatta. The races began, with the boys earnestly puffing wind into the sails of their vessels as they floated down two water-filled rain gutters running parallel with each other across the room….
I live at the _________Home for Children. They put me there, because my mom is not supposed to know where I am…. Friday afternoon I drove a van load of boys back from Royal Family Kids Camp here in Granbury. Most of the 78 volunteers who direct, counsel, coordinate crafts, and otherwise pull off RFKC here in this area worship at the church, where I serve as preaching minister. Royal Family Kids Camps are the nation’s leading network of camps…
In 1987, country singer Steve Wariner recorded a song entitled “Small Town Girl” Here is the portion of the lyrics that won’t embarrass my sweet little bride. (The rest of the lyrics are awesome too by the way.) Hot coffee and the sound of her sweet voice callinCountry station on the kitchen radio That’s how I know there’s still a little magic in this crazy world.. There ain’t nothin like the love of a small town girl He is right….