You are exhausted, hungry, vulnerable, and getting ready to start what you know from the outset is going to be a difficult, if not impossible, task. You feel stretched to the limit, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. It could be the night before a final exam, a big presentation at work, a decision that you know is going to radically impact your own life and the lives of those you love the most. You know the task before you will take... Read more
I didn’t turn on the news this morning or check any online sources, so am just now learning about the earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis to follow. Here’s a link to a NY Times article on it. Every time I hear of another natural disaster like this, my heart breaks for the devastation. Lives lost, those alive generally terrified and extremely confused, rescue operations mobilized but often delayed because major transportation channels are affected. We know of these things... Read more
Here’s a bit of health news that some of us less exercised people might like to read. This research (which shall probably soon be contradicted vigorously by some other research) suggests that too much intense training may actually damage heart muscle, leading to earlier deaths, not prolonged health well into old age. Hear! Hear! I say. OK, not exactly, but the point is this: we can become addicted to anything, and that includes excessive exercise. Even things that look good... Read more
The children came forth in droves to have their foreheads marked with ashes last night as we formally entered Lent in preparation for Easter. Close to 50 children and youth from our LOGOS/Midweek Miracle ministry along with parents and others from our church community and neighborhood, participated with both solemnity and hope. I found it hard to hold back tears of joy as I had the privilege of imposing those ashes onto those beautiful young faces and upon those who... Read more
I just read a riveting article about a college teacher who had a murder suspect in her classroom for a semester. The article, “Prime Suspect, Second Row,” can be found here (only for five days, through March 14, after that only for subscribers of The Chronicle of Higher Education website). The young man, handsome, poised, well-dressed, was a prime suspect in the ax murder of his father and the attempted murder of his mother. The professor knew the family and... Read more
“That’s my pastor–whoa! What happened to your face?” Yes, what did happen to my face that would bring such a response? A very reasonable response, by the way, considering the circumstances. By late weekend, I was in the throes of a huge allergic reaction and my face had swelled to the size of a basketball. Red, blotchy, very painful and getting worse. I had been in NYC for a son’s wedding (fortunately the worst of this happened after the wedding),... Read more
Overwhelming–I often hear that word and even more often say it when faced with what seem to be impossible tasks. Occasionally I watch a TV show about people who suffer from compulsive hoarding tendencies or who are long neglectful of day to day clean-up. All have reached a point where the clutter or hoarded items become impossible to deal with. Too much. Overwhelming. Unfixable. Yet, I know there is a way through this. This ordinary saying rings in my head... Read more
I have on my desk an invitation to a conference for women to encourage them with the Word of God, the joy of music, and the spirit of friendship. Three very good reasons to get together, no doubt about it. For a multiplicity of reasons, I no longer attend these types of conferences, but I have gone to them before and found them quite enjoyable and often very helpful. Women, often isolated from deep and nurturing friendships by the demands... Read more
A couple of weeks ago when mindlessly surfing the web, I came across a health news article that struck me in several ways. Research suggests that a drug called Truvada may offer nearly complete protection from HIV infections in those who unfailingly take it daily and also rigorously practice other safe sex habits. A medical breakthrough like this is good news. HIV is a nasty disease with world-wide devastating effects. But the good news is tempered by two significant factors.... Read more
I am in Richardson right now, checking on my mother’s house and trying (vainly, mostly) to get caught up on some paperwork. Decided to make a quick grocery run to get something to fix for dinner and passed through a school zone on the way. No activity. Perfectly quiet. No one out. I still slowed down, of course, at the flashing lights, as this was near the end of the school day. On my return trip, school had just let... Read more
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