My last school used two works to explore the American Dream: The Great Gatsby who achieved it and lost, and Death of a Salesman, where Willie Loman didn’t achieve the dream yet also lost. But Willie Loman’s wife Linda had a haunting line, in talking about the irony of finally paying off the family house after their two sons had moved out, “Life is a casting off.” Or…
Read MoreBe Kind to Be Godly
I met her when she was in the college group I led, decades back. We've stayed in touch over the years and I appreciate how she thinks. And one of her Facebook posts struck quite a chord with a number of readers.
”I am having breakfast at a cute place...A nice little family just came in. They have not acknowledged the wait staff once. No 'good morning' or 'thank you' when seated. No eye contact or acknowledgement when given coffee. No eye contact or thank you after placing their order with their very sweet server. I hate it when…”
Read MoreWhen Life Interrupts
Sometimes, an event, or several together, interrupt the life we’ve crafted, the life we enjoy. Sometimes, one that involves our bodies. One that can bring negative and positive changes. Maybe you can identify. For 75 years, my body has treated me well, much better than I have on occasion done to it. A decent athlete—rarely picked first on choosing teams, but usually second or third. Decent strength—a USC football offensive lineman couldn’t pin me in arm wrestling. Decently healthy and functional, playing competitive football and softball into my late 50s. Riding 1,080 miles on a motorcycle in 16 hours at age 70. Honestly, I felt more pity than empathy for those not with those attributes. Yeah, a sin that I feel no pride about. Then, in a few months, life interrupted with…
Read MoreFollowers Continue--Challenge 3
Our series examining the impossible demands of Jesus now explores his requirement that his followers must continue. Yes, many disagree, but let’s see what Jesus says about the issue…and what it means for us in practice.
“Remain in me, and I will…
Read MorePlay Misty For Me
No, the title doesn’t reflect one of Clint Eastwood’s early films, rather James statement that our lives quickly disappear like a mist. Yes, last week had that passage, but let’s revisit one hidden gem. With the passing of each calendar year, I ponder this bit about mist more and more. Maybe you do as well. How do we balance making a spiritual impact on the world if we’re here so briefly, like fog?
Read MorePlan...But Flex
Three Sierra trips make up my plans for each year: May, mid-summer, and mid-fall. But the2018 spring trip gave way to hosting our granddaughter’s rehearsal dinner and getting ready for family. Summer got eliminated by a 6,700 mile motorcycle ride, including an Iron Butt ride of 1,080 miles in 16 hours. As fall drew close, I desperately needed a mountain fix, so I planned a six-day trip, leaving Sunday morning and getting home Friday evening, for five fishing days. That avoids the crowded weekends and eliminates some traffic. But around the time I left, our son-in-law’s brother Bob passed. One of the good guys, we’d shared a lot of time at family gatherings. His service was set for Friday, so I still took…
Read MoreSqueaky Wheels, Grease, and...
I never fully understood my dad’s line, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Oh, I knew he meant that only when we mention a problem can we get it fixed. Later, I learned a deeper meaning. A few years before returning to Temecula, back I bought a decent wheel barrow (in the pic above) from Home Depot and used it well. And roughly at times. After much abuse, it began "complaining." With no load, it squeaked. With a heavy load it veered to the side. And every day the tire lost air. So I followed Dad’s advice and…
Read MoreSuck It Up
Life can suck us dry. Home life. Work life. Economic life. Family life. Yeah, the list can go on. We get exhausted and have little to give. We need a break, some rest, like the lion above. A time to refill spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally. And on occasion we can’t find, or create, a break. So, sometimes we need to suck it up. Not always, but sometimes. Here's why…
Read More