OK, so we've all done it. We've taken a gift given to us by someone else that we really didn't want and then passed it on to someone else later, right? If we're honest, yes, that was a kind of cheap and lazy move for the most part. However, there are some things we have been ...
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Have you ever noticed something common to many offices, funeral homes, waiting rooms and even homes? There is often a stylish table or two stacked with books. The volumes are often beautiful, covered with striking pictures, multi-colored and likely expensive. The problem ...
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The other day I heard someone on radio say, "Christmas is my favorite time of the year." And of course most of us know the Christmas song favorite that begins, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." And it is a special time. Who doesn't enjoy the gifts, lights, ...
Read MoreOK, so it's time that I talk some more about that three-letter word that starts with S. It's so difficult to mention even though we know we think about it all the time. Of course I'm talking about SOX. No not the White Sox or Red Sox, but the "socks" that you men still throw on the floor. It's ...
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Have you ever seen someone respond badly to a medicine? Allergic reactions can be dangerous, even deadly, and if nothing else can cause the adult or child to be miserable. But here's the odd part. The doctor or parent who gave the medicine meant no harm. Their ...
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In my last post I spoke about four things that Jackie and I wanted to make sure our kids knew before they left our nest. Let me suggest four more to ponder and see if they stimulate some other teachable ideas at your house. We also wanted our kids to know how blessed they ...
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If you could pick a handful of things you would want your kids to know the day they walk out the door of your home, what would they be? Have you thought about them? If so, are you conscientiously teaching those things? Chances are they won't learn them in one lesson. ...
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Last weekend I had the chance to spend a couple of days with two of my three grandsons and their mommy and daddy. Jeremiah, the three-year-old, and I would spend a good bit of time "working" outside - shoveling dirt, raking leaves and watering the flowers. And being November there ...
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I was driving down the road at a conference this week when I came upon a huge sign that said Hell Is Real. That was it. No explanation, no place to find out more, just this in-your-face message about Hell. Well, I'm thinking, cancer is real and abuse is real and ...
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Do you know what everyone born in the 70's, 80's, 90's and through today has in common? They're technically called the ME Generation. Somewhere in time our society began to subtly become more and more focused on MY needs, MY possessions, MY success and MY pleasures. ...
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Barbara Billingsley died the other day. Who's that? Some of you know she played the mom on Leave It To Beaver, the classic TV program back in the late 50's and 60's. Yes, that show was a far cry from family life today and in some ways that's a good thing. Women ...
Read MoreMy favorite humorist Dave Barry writes, "I wish there was an early morning kids' TV show called Let's Go Back to Bed. The licensed characters would yawn a lot and say: 'I'm tired! Let's all lie down and be very quiet until at least 7:45am!' Wouldn't that be great? Daddy would send money to that show." Can ...
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A woman went to the hospital and during surgery had a near-death experience. But during that time she saw God so she asked Him, "Is this it? Is life on earth over?" And God said, "No, you actually have 35 years left. You're going to make it." So before long she ...
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I was recently told on Facebook for at least the hundredth time that I would finally be a real Christian if I would click that I liked their post. Wow, if I'd only known it was that easy years ago. I hope no one actually believes that authentic faith is so simple but apparently ...
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I was babysitting for my 14 month old grandson Liam some years ago now. And it became obvious again that his parents had taught him well about things that are not OK. He'd point at something like a plug or the computer and say "No," (sometimes Nah but we know what he means). It's ...
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Jackie and I watched a little toddler almost die yesterday. We were at an overlook at Pedernales State Park in central Texas looking at the water rushing over two small falls that are famous in this part of the state. After heavy rains there was a significant amount of water flowing ...
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I recently made my fourteenth trip to Russia. Thankfully this time my wife went along but often she has to stay home. Thankfully I don't have to travel even more like so many do. But the impact of being away doesn't end when the plane's wheels touch down and I later walk in the ...
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This week I experienced my first ear infection in say twenty-five years. The inside of my ear would simply start throbbing and the pain was awful. But I knew that in a couple of days I was also going to get on an airplane and fly 11-12 hours overseas. Not a good time to have ear ...
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On a recent flight I sat next to a new, young pilot-in-training. He even asked to sit by the window so he could see more of what was going on outside. I asked him a couple of flying questions and he was more than eager to tell me what he knows. As a long-time ...
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I'm going to Russia again next week. It will be my fifteenth trip. This time I get to travel with many very talented musicians, artists, technical people and some who just want to help out. We'll be helping lead our third worship conference for pastors, worship leaders and others ...
Read MoreDivorce happens. It's real. Sometimes it's unavoidable when one person isn't willing to work on their part of the marriage anymore or a spouse just leaves or it becomes dangerous to stay. But perhaps more tragic is when there truly is some hope, things could be fixed and ...
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The other day I was picking up a subscription and the cashier ended the sale with the oft-used greeting, "Have a good one." For some odd reason I started to think about what that really might have meant. "Have a good day?" Perhaps. "Have a good week, month, ...
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Years ago a group of interchange designers were in a room with the purpose of planning how Interstate 35 would intersect in downtown Dallas with I 30, US 75 and the runways at DFW Airport. They were apparently smoking crack at the time and after several subsequent beers ...
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I read this in a hotel room recently. . . . "Due to the popularity of our hotel room items, we have them for sale at the front desk." In other words people are stealing the hotel blind and they don't want you to take their stuff anymore. OK, fine, but it seems like they ...
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I was recently in another church for a wedding and decided to glance through their song book. Some of the titles were, When Cain Killed Abel, God Weeps and Crossing Waters At Creation. I'm not making those up. I had to wonder how those songs could even be close to ...
Read MoreSome of you remember the excruciating pain of childbirth. I sure do. My wife had a lot of it. I'm a wimp and if birthing the children were up to me . . . well . . . you see my point. Pain isn't fun. And there are appropriate ways and times to try to reduce or get rid of it. And ...
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I was at a high school graduation ceremony a number of weeks ago when a light in the auditorium apparently overheated and exploded during the speaker's address. There was a large popping sound and it looked like a few little specks were floating down into the audience. ...
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I'm writing this post from Colorado where I and my family heard two parents within a couple of hours of each other profanely berate their kids in public. They swore at them! And it was for nothing - such as not doing exactly what was expected of them while getting into the ...
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One summer my wife Jackie, daughter Amy and grandson Liam got on a plane to Colorado. We spent eight days in the Rockies at a timeshare condo we bought over eighteen years ago. And every time I go back I can't help but reminisce about the fun family times ...
Read MoreI'm doing a wedding this fall and I asked the couple what time the wedding would start. Their response was, "As soon as the Texas/OU game is over." I guess we know what most of the wedding party will be doing before the wedding starts! Their comment reminded me that any of us who are married can ...
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