Kris, Nick and Santa
This got me thinking of all the variations of the original Christmas story that we find in cultures and in the songs we sing. Take, for instance, The First Noel. The word “noel” long ago grew to refer specifically to the birth of Christ, so my…
What if … ?
It would always disturb my mother when I would say, “I don’t really have many – if any – memories of my childhood.” Though I grew up in a healthy, Christian environment and was, as far as I remember, a happy child, my memories of my pre-high school…
Turn the Page
Bob Seger fans will remember the lyrics. “On a long and lonesome highway east of Omaha you can listen to the engine moanin’ out his one note song … When you’re ridin’ sixteen hours and there’s nothing’ much to do and you don’t feel much like ridin’ you…
Husbands …
I am far, far from the perfect husband, so those familiar words of St. Paul (who, I believe never was a husband) in many ways terrify me. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing…
Back in the Saddle Again
I’ve never been a particular fan of Gene Autry. In fact, it’s likely that the only reason I’m acquainted with this song of his is because of a comedy album by The Firesign Theatre that was regularly quoted in my dorm during my freshman year in college. …
Now to him …
I think I first saw the email some time Thursday afternoon, too late for me to deal with it that day. That night I was driving to Houghton Lake with Joel. We would rake leaves on Friday, prepare the cottage for the winter on Saturday morning, and then…
In …. tional
The election advertisements are behind us (hopefully … perhaps the only good thought I have about them is how much they help the economy). The weather looks as though it might finally be cooling down (not that I am complaining about the wonderful fall…
It’s NOT about …
It may have been listening to a podcast that put me into the right state of mind. The podcast was from Lead Time (Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg), dated October 29, 2024. Its topic was “Navigating Ethical Challenges: LCMS in a Politically Charged World…
Cruising
That day started with 9:30 a.m. worship at Trinity. Then came family pictures taken conveniently between raindrops. After that we were home long enough to get all packed for ten days of cruising around Lake Michigan (not in the lake, but around it). …
Da Blues!
Before I say anything else, I have a confession to make. I am on vacation this week, so this is being written Saturday morning, October 12. The Tigers lost game four to the Guardians, 4-5 on Thursday and this afternoon is the elimination game. When…