Vaca Mode
This past Friday Monica and I began our annual two-week hiatus at the cottage. Sunday afternoon our two granddaughters joined us. Then, Tuesday night, the middle generation came on board. I think it’s tomorrow that two more will arrive. Thus it is…
GRIT
It may be that the best way to define GRIT is to simply say “Detroit Lions”! Even when they are behind it still feels like they should win. One star gets taken off the field on a stretcher, the next guy up does more than one could ever expect … and the…
Tough Stuff
Sunday was a truly “Spirit filled” closing for Trinity Lutheran - Warren. While closings always have a certain amount of sadness built in, this congregation did everything right (in my opinion). Their process leading up to the service, the…
Down and Out
Yesterday morning I googled the definition of the phrase “down and out”. It told me that someone who is down and out has “no job and nowhere to live, and they have no real hope of improving their situation.” AI suggested “a person is in a difficult…
Neighborhood Missionaries
On a recent podcast I heard a Christian apologist offer what I felt was an excellent response to those who try to enter into an argument with him regarding creation verses evolution. His suggestion: “I hear you asking me what I, as a Christian, believe…
Forgiveness Mythology
For many people, forgiveness is something they struggle with – in many ways (such as in giving and in receiving … horizontally and vertically). So, let’s start with a simple definition and go from there: “Forgiveness is the act of letting go.” Thus it…
A Fun Challenge … or Two
I was given a fun challenge last Sunday as I was asked to be the guest preacher at Bethany Lutheran, Detroit. I mistakenly thought that the biggest challenge was being asked to preach on a prescribed obscure text on the topic of “peacemakers”. However,…
Know What … So What
Ever since attending our Circuit Convocation I have been praying for God’s daily guidance in walking with Jesus on his mission. Greg Finke, the speaker, emphasized two little self-examination questions: Know what? So what? Or, put another way, how…
A Privileged Life
“Papa, why are your teeth yellow?” our granddaughter asked me as we sat upon the couch watching who-knows-what on the television. The question caught me off-guard, even though it was not the first time she had posed the question of me (The first time…
Responsibility with Joy
On Tuesday evening Monica and I entered into an interesting week – one that is filled with additional responsibility … and great joy. It started with us packing our suitcases and moving out of our condo, traveling about ten minutes to South Offshore…