It’s Not All That Bad, Is It?

Let’s Get Creative! Cherie Harder, President of the Trinity Forum made that appeal recently. I’m glad she did, and when she did. We will always face danger and real hardships the minute we wake each day. I don’t really think they are much more acute today than they were 20 years ago. Maybe even a […]

A Fork in the Road

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]An interpretation of the works of A.A Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh.   Eeyore moped along a long dusty trail for what seemed like a century. He didn’t notice the ferns to the right and left of him because he was too preoccupied with stumbling. But stumble he did, but not in the bad kind of […]

If We Don’t Try

“Failure is not an option!” If you have never watched Apollo 13 by now, you may never. For those who have, failure on that mission meant, if we don’t try, the crew will die. Stranded, wounded in space, the Apollo vehicle was currently incapable of bringing the crew home as planned. The thousands of tested […]

I’m Certain of This

What do we really know for certain? In the grand scheme of things, do you or I really know the deep intent and motivations of each other? Of course not. Why do I say that with so much conviction? Because, I still do not completely know myself. Do I know with certainty what my deep […]

Words and their Tone

“I *love* you.” “I *hate* you!” Each word, used in a particular way, causes very different emotional responses. It does make a difference, and the difference has consequences. Some are unintended, others deliberate. Wisdom moderates both.

What Does It Take To Be A Friend?

Pursue friendship. The kind that takes time. Curious be. Raise questions freely. Listen with your heart. Respond in kind. Then two knit into one.

My Road To Emmaus

I slowly walked the road to Emmaus myself. A long silent battle with disillusionment. Not a helpful friend in sight. Dusty was the road. Abandonment clung like crusted sweat. Then a voice in the blur before me Spoke. My heart was strangely warmed. Eating, listening I understood. His Radiance transformed me. Zest renewed. Retraced steps […]

I Feel It In My Gut

People may not be able to reach a satisfactory intellectual conclusion in regards to truth or falsehood in this Age of Post-Truth chaos, but one thing seems to be clear, They feel it in their gut. When they are wronged, they know it.

Mourning, this morning

Epic days are meant for historians to make meaning from. In the meantime, the rest of us have to experience history in the making. Days like yesterday must be felt before they are understood. This morning, I don’t have much capacity for words. I sit here in a state of mourning, this morning.

Where Is Home?

Home is where our memories are. We mostly think that it is among our family, but it is also within a certain place. I have lived in a few other places besides my hometown, yet it is in Visalia I have developed my sense of home. I think of all our family events that took […]