I have a working clothes dryer today. I’ve been without one for two years now when the aging one I had been using finally gave up the ghost. The particular washer and dryer I had were a Scandinavian brand and the washing machine plugged into the dryer, not into a normal outlet in the wall. I discovered there was no one around here who could fix it and replacing the dryer was cost prohibitive. So, I just did without. I... Read more
An article about the growing use of anti-psychotic drugs for children and youth (especially juvenile offenders) just caught my eye. These drugs are only approved to treat schizophrenia and serious bipolar disorders and have not been tested on children and youth. Research suggests they are primarily used for their sedating effects with no regard for the long term side-effects (like diabetes, weight gain, and possible long-term damage to brain development. It’s such an easy solution. Sedate them, keep them as... Read more
The word “friendship” has, like so many other emotionally rich words, been cheapened by commerce. It is possible to have thousands of “friends” on Facebook or some other social networking site, and yet not have a single friend in the true sense of the word. This past Sunday, I talked about the biblical story of Jonathan and David, an unusual friendship that teaches us about the nature of God’s willingness to befriend us. Jonathan, the son of first king of... Read more
Another pastor bites the dust. Last week, news readers heard about Matt Jarrell, a traveling man with a wife, four children and a congregation in Mesquite, TX. This pastor accumulated arrests on his travels for soliciting prostitutes, illegal handgun possession, and rape. Two days after the final arrest, he hanged himself in his jail cell. Jarrell led the double life, a life without integrity. I read this once: “Integrity is the act of doing what is right when alone and... Read more
Well, despite the predictions of Harold Camping, of Family Radio and end-of-the-world scenarios, it didn’t happen. By now, should Camping have been correct, those of us left on this rapidly self-destructing earth should have been faced with a massive clean-up effort after the true believers were caught up in heaven on May 21. At least I suppose there would be a massive clean-up effort–those rolling earthquakes that were supposed to start in New Zealand and move around the earth would... Read more
I’ve come to the conclusion that, at heart, we all want to be only children. Deep inside each of us wants the full attention of our mother, father, God and anyone else we consider important in our lives. We don’t want to share that attention with others. I suspect we’re convinced that if we do, there won’t be enough love, gifts, time, etc. to go around. Two weeks with grandchildren now have reinforced that view. These particular grands are both... Read more
I was only 20 years old when I first read the story. Although I suppose I had heard much of it before, I also know I spent most of my teen years routinely ignoring any words coming from my Sunday School teachers and from the pastors. I had become a master at blocking out anything to do with spiritual things. Typical youthful arrogance, I suspect. Thought I knew everything. But in my college years, I read the story. Really read... Read more
Every once in a while, a piece of technology comes along that really doesn’t complicate one’s life–but actually makes it easier. Most technology simply adds to our workloads or our overloaded brains. Let’s face it: since the invention of the PC, the personal secretary has all but disappeared. Now nearly everyone is expected to type their own reports, correspondence, books, etc., and to produce more at the same time. Another example: washing machines and dryers may have meant that laundry... Read more
On Sunday, one of my church members approached me, saying, “I have a column idea for you.” Always on the lookout for help, I eagerly gave him my attention. “Would you please tell me how the date of Easter is calculated? I always know when Christmas is, but never understand when Easter will fall.” Excellent question. Quick answer: It’s the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. The spring equinox, March 21 (technically, it may be... Read more
We need to be reminded frequently of the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing about renewal in the church. I distinctly remember a pivotal moment in a D-Min class on Missions and Ministries after we had jointly studied numerous renewal/revival movements in Christian history, seeking some sort of commonalty. Essentially, we were looking for a way to engineer the movement of the Holy Spirit. After much study, reading, and discussion, we came to the conclusion that we don’t get... Read more
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