Category Archives: Life

May 18, 2018 · 6:50 am

This, Too, Shall Pass

This morning, from our Bible reading in Acts 27, I was reminded of this commonly quoted phrase, “This, too, shall pass.”

It is a paraphrase taken from the King James Bible, “and it came to pass.” It occurs 477 times in the KJV and 177 times in the NKJV. In more modern translations, it is used far less often.

It is an expression used by folks working through difficult circumstances. There is no definitive answer to the exact origin of this popular saying, but some believe it stems from a fable written by Persian Sufi poets. Others suggest it was a part of Jewish folklore and credit King Solomon, although it is not recorded in the Bible. Continue reading →

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March 22, 2018 · 7:38 am

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that upon closer examination aren’t really that big a deal,” wrote Dr. Richard Carlson in his classic little book entitled Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Carlson illustrates how we may “focus on little problems and concerns and blow them way out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go, and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger.”

There are so many little things that can divert our attention from the bigger, more important issues of life. Continue reading →

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October 27, 2017 · 5:14 am

Reflections on a Recent Visit to the Smoky Mountains

Norma Jean and I were recently in the Smoky Mountains for a short get-a-away. It’s been one of our favorite places through the years to visit and relax.

We were wondering how the Mountains would look since the fires last November burned over 17,000 acres of forest, destroyed or damaged more than 2000 homes and buildings and took the lives of 14 people, as well as injuring 145. Continue reading →

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May 17, 2017 · 4:31 am

Great Verses of the Bible: Ecclesiastes 2:10-12

Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular singer, song writer of the 20th century whose career spanned six decades. Her signature song was a 1969 hit entitled “Is that all there is?”

The song begins with witnessing her house catching on fire as a little child. As the flames consumed it and she stood watching in her pajamas, she asked, “Is that all there is? Continue reading →

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April 25, 2017 · 7:07 am

What Really Counts?

My Franklin planner has this inspirational quote for today by Albert Einstein. “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

This thought raises the question, “What really counts in life?”

This question has been answered in different ways by many people. Continue reading →

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June 14, 2016 · 6:07 am

Navigating Obstacles on Life’s Journey

traffic backup

Yesterday was our first road trip since moving to the Lone Star state three weeks ago. And what a trip is was!

We left our home in Corinth, north of Dallas, about 9:15 on what should have been about a 5 hour drive with time to stop for lunch. We arrived 8 hours later.

The 30 mile obstacle course through Dallas, called I-35, is proving to be a daily adventure. Constant construction. Narrow lanes. Closed exits. Sudden stops. Rough pavement. Difficult to read signs. And, of course, always a crazy driver weaving in and out of traffic. These are to be expected as par for the course. Continue reading →

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April 19, 2016 · 4:30 am

6 Essentials of a Good Life

 Life is Good

“The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home,” recently wrote Jim Rohn in a blog post. “The ultimate expression of life is living a good life.”

“But,” you ask, “What is a good life?” Continue reading →

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August 4, 2015 · 5:49 am

Newsflash! All Lives Matter.

races babies

“We say so often … do black lives matter? And at the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, do all lives matter — regardless of race, creed, color, economic status, what profession that person holds? All lives matter.”

The above quote is from an African-American, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong. It was spoken at a news conference over the week-end following the murder of a Memphis police officer, Sean Bolton, 33, who was shot multiple times Saturday night. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition but later pronounced dead.  Continue reading →

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July 9, 2015 · 6:33 am

4 Challenges To Our Spiritual Focus

Focus Blurred

Several years ago I attended a seminar and heard a guy, Mike, tell the story about going to a movie. The movie began and the projector wasn’t correctly focused so that the images on the screen were distorted. After a minute or so and the problem was not corrected, a fellow stood up and turned back toward the projectionist and yelled FOCUS!” Continue reading →

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June 25, 2015 · 7:14 am

Reflections on The Passing of “The Greatest Generation”

Greatest Generation

This week Norma Jean and I made a quick trip to Sellersburg, Indiana, to attend the funeral of my Uncle, James Key. He was 91. He was a part of what Tom Brokaw dubbed “The Greatest Generation.”

Brokaw’s book, “The Greatest Generation” was a moving tribute filled with inspirational stories of those who served our country during World War II. He wrote about common people. Famous people. Men and Women. Heroes and Heroines. Those who served in uniform and out of uniform.

My Uncle James could have been one of the chapters in Brokaw’s book. He served abroad in the U.S. Army during the War. My cousin, Ryan, told stories of Uncle James narrowly escaping enemy fire. Continue reading →

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