Scattered Thoughts
I wonder if it is “even” or “more-so” that in retirement I find my thoughts frequently scattered, in many directions on different topics with little to connect them? I understood this while working, because in pastoral ministry one never really knew…
Heavenly Pours
Over the past year – or so – different people have suggested that something I could do – in retirement or before – was to put into book form – or something similar – some of the stories and memories I have shared during my years of ministry. This is an…
Taking a Break
Is there such a thing as “taking a break” when all you were doing in the first place was nothing? Perhaps that is something like a retired person – who is basically on vacation all the time – taking a vacation. Well, how does this sound? I, a retired…
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is no more appropriate for pastors in their sermons (or emails of spiritual encouragement) than for college students submitting papers to their professors. Thus, on a morning like this when I wish to get a word of encouragement out but have…
Painting
I am in the midst of painting the main living areas in our condo: scaffolding and ladders, ups and downs, bending and lifting, brushing and rolling, moving and cleaning … the whole nine yards day after day. Thus, I really do not have the time nor the…
Doubters No More
This past Sunday the sermon at the church I attended started with some audience-response questions. The pastor said, “I will say a word and then you respond with the opposite.” Then he said, “Heavy” and we all said, “Light.” He said, “Morning” and we…
Wasting Time
It is just starting to settle into my mind how busy I must have been for the past +40 years … and how good it feels to be wasting time with the realization that those old deadlines and responsibilities will not catch up to me because of it. Vacations in…
Dead Opener
The Tigers looked dead in their opener … and I’m not just talking about the first game, but the entire series. Many were lamenting – perhaps myself included – that this year was going to be worse than the previous, even though those three games covered…
Season Opener
If my math is correct, today is Season Opener #123 for the Detroit Tigers. Our son, Joel, and I, though we are members of the “elite” 1901 Society, will not be there … because the Tigers’ Season Opener this year is in Tampa Bay. One might say that we…
Overwhelming Love
This past Sunday, on the way out of worship, a visitor said to me, “There sure is a lot of love in this place.” My reply was something like, “Yes, there certainly is.” I could have gone on to say, “And my, how great it is to see it being sent in so…