I brought a  dozen red roses home last night. I paid twice what they are worth. I bought a folded, decorated piece of paper that cost several dollars, too. A few years ago I bought a Valentine’s card (just for… Continue reading

When he was 18 or 19, Jay bought a Jeep Wrangler. One afternoon, he decided to go ‘off-roading’ in the deep woods. On a trail better suited to a small four-wheeler, he drove into a low spot as he over-estimated… Continue reading

“Lord, I’m asking for ___________ .” When you pray are your feelings something like those underlying the purchase of a lottery ticket? Only a foolish person would buy a lottery ticket as an investment or with the idea that he… Continue reading

Everyday life includes computers that stop working , cars that don’t start, and traffic that doesn’t flow. These are just life’s normal headaches.  The real tests are those things for which we have no explanations – chronic illness or pain, people who… Continue reading

People tend to idealize most things.  Sally envies Jane’s marriage even allowing herself to think how much better life would be if only she had a husband like that.  In the dead of winter, we are sure that a vacation… Continue reading

The Gospel I ‘heard’ as a young child and the Gospel I love at age 56 are very different in the telling. Both center on the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Both feature the Cross and the Resurrection prominently.… Continue reading

Anxiety occasionally comes tiptoeing to my bedside in the early morning hours. It jerks me awake and brings tumbling thoughts, feelings of fear and despair. Those emotion can quickly evolve into physical symptoms; racing heartbeat, shortness of breath. Some would… Continue reading

Anticipation is half the fun of big events. I’m excited as we head for this Sunday’s game. The “SuperBowl” has become an unofficial holiday for Americans, a break in winter doldrums, an excuse to have a party, throw off the… Continue reading

The company that owns the social network site called “Facebook” announced a stock offering yesterday.  When it happens,  California will have hundreds of new millionaires, people who made a fortune out of creating friendships in the 21st century. I use… Continue reading

On Tuesday, I met with a pastor who is a missionary/pastor to the United States from Nigeria and a friend of his who is a pastor in Nigeria. We talked about the church in the United States before we prayed… Continue reading