The Mississippi River is rising. It starts as a trickle in Northern Minnesota at Lake Itaska, and is little more than a creek that you could walk across. But as it winds its way, it picks up the water from a thousand tributaries, big and small. After record snowfall this winter, the water is pouring into the mighty river. Now it’s threatening Baton Rouge and New Orleans, who certainly don’t need to see any more water ever again. To solve... Read more
I grew up in the Sierra-Nevada mountains, with snow deep and trees thick to blanket the ground. And I lived part of my life in the Nevada desert , with crumbly granite rock and prickly scrub bushes on the landscape. The decade in the Wyoming mountains was amazing. Then I moved to the badlands of desert-plains. And now, finally, I’m in a Denver suburb with curbs and sidewalk, sprinkler tat-tat-tatting in the evening hours. Anyone want to guess what this is? Never... Read more
“What is your value, beloved child?” That’s the question that Journey to Beloved asks her readers. And it’s a good one. We’ve all wondered about our worth. If you’ve ever been spurned by a lover, despised by a friend, or abandoned by a companion, it’s only natural to wonder. When the layoff notice comes, or the neighbor turns the other way, or your kids forget to call you on your birthday, you wonder. When the self-religious point their fingers, when the cynic doubts... Read more
I have spent most of my life looking for the easy way out. I admit it. And maybe you have too. I didn’t take those big career chances, because I was comfortable where I was. Nor did I pursue full-time ministry because I thought my family needed me to bring home a paycheck. Image by Chris JL via Flickr What I’m doing now is fine, even respectable. I’m in a good job that makes a difference, going to a growing church... Read more
In life, there always seems to be somebody that finds a way to get under my skin. I have one button, and they always find a way to push it. Intentional or not, there is a certain “tension” that always hangs in the air with these people. Rather than run from these relationships, I need to embrace them. Crazy thinking? No. God uses these people to knock off the edges, to buff out the imperfections in my life. They are there... Read more
He’s held up as a bastion. A stalwart. A rock. Solid. And indeed, over his long life, there are amazing markers to prove his reputation. He left his comfort and his home for the desert, with nothing more than a promise. He had a child at an old age – and then was asked to give him up. He trusted when there was no reason to trust . But most of the time, he was just hanging on. That’s right, Abraham, the... Read more
Image by Paul Keller via FlickrMany Americans are gloating right now with the news that Osama bin Laden has finally been eradicated from this earth. Is it wrong to feel such happiness? I remember the story of King David in the Old Testament, after he slayed Goliath. He cut off his the giant’s head and went on parade. Now that’s a victory lap. I think of the Munchkins singing, “Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead.” And I also think of... Read more
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. His last day on earth was a heroic one. His squadron was sent on a mission, but soon after he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would have to turn back. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and... Read more
We all know the story of Al Capone. He virtually owned Chicago. There were few redeeming qualities about the man. He controlled a vast empire fueled by booze, prostitutes, and gambling. Al Capone Of course, he was always in legal trouble. He had a highly competent lawyer, “Easy Eddie” who used the technicalities of the law to keep his employer free to run his crime empire. Eddie was well-compensated and lived large. He turned a blind eye to right and... Read more
One of the sure signs of spring is the presence of dandelions. Despite their yellow floral bursts, they’re generally considered noxious weeds. To me, they are the worst alien invaders of a well-kept lawn. And to say that I’m, um, anal about ridding them is an understatement. Like a hunter, I am on the prowl for them as I make my regular rounds. When I find one, I gear up with weed killer, a long dagger and a don’t-stop-me look in my eye.... Read more
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