January 24, 2014 · 4:49 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Come Home. All is Forgiven.

Jesus.WelcomeHome

Earnest Hemingway, in The Capital of the World, tells a popular Spanish story about a father and his son named “Paco.”

Paco was rebellious.  Disobedient. Defiant.  And irresponsible.  Unwilling to follow his father’s rules, he preferred his own way of living.  One evening in the heat of an argument, Paco hurled some hurtful and hateful words at his father.  Packed up his few possessions.  Stomped out the door, slamming it behind him.  And traveled to Madrid.  Hoping to never see his father again.  Continue reading →

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January 23, 2014 · 6:43 am

Everyone Deserves the Same Freedom, Including the Unborn

ChooseLifeYesterday The White House released a statement from President Obama, which in part read…

“Today, as we reflect on the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, we recommit ourselves to the decision’s guiding principle: that every woman should be able to make her own choices about her body and her health….. Because this is a country where everyone deserves the same freedom and opportunities to fulfill their dreams.”

Contrast the President’s statement with this one: Continue reading →

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January 22, 2014 · 5:12 am

Did He Really Say That?

PopeFrancis

In a shocking speech that is reverberating across the world, Pope Francis made this declaration in the third Vatican council.

“Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell where people suffer. Continue reading →

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January 21, 2014 · 7:08 am

M.L. King Day Reminds Us That Character Counts

MLKing.Dream

I was a 15-year-old kid beginning my Sophomore year when Dr. King gave his famous “I Have A Dream Speech.   The civil rights movement hadn’t come to rural Indiana.  We had no black neighbors.  There were no black kids in my school.  And no black families attended the church where we worshiped. Continue reading →

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January 20, 2014 · 8:43 am

Word of the Week: Humble

humilityToday Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of our greatest Presidents. However, at that time he had many political enemies including Edwin Stanton, who looked down on Lincoln with great disdain.    Among other unkind epithets, Stanton described Lincoln as “a long armed ape,” an “ignoramus” and “the original Gorilla.”

However, when it came  time to replace Simon Cameron, his first Secretary of War, Lincoln appointed Stanton to the job. His Cabinet  was shocked. But Lincoln believed Stanton was the best man for the job. Continue reading →

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January 17, 2014 · 6:36 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! From Agony to Exaltation

Jesus.Praying.Gethsename

The picture of Gethsemane is familiar.  Jesus leaning on a rock.  Hands folded. The moon shining.  A halo effect over his head.   A scene of serenity.  The saintly Savior saying His prayers.  Trusting in the Father.  Safe in His hands.  Ready to be offered.

Really?

The apostle Matthew was there.  And he paints a different picture.  Continue reading →

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January 16, 2014 · 7:24 am

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Phil Everly. Music. And Marriage.

Phil Everly, left, and brother Don perform on ITV's Saturday Spectacular in 1960.

Throwback Thursday is a weekly theme by social media users to post past photos of themselves.  In that spirit I’m posting a 1960 picture of the Everly Brothers.  Phil is on the left and his brother Don is on the right.  I hadn’t thought about them in a long time, until I recently learned that Phil passed away.    Continue reading →

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January 15, 2014 · 7:08 am

Wisdom From A Fortune Cookie

fortune.Cookie

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend of mine at P. F. Chang’s on the Plaza.  The food was good.  The Server was friendly. The conversation was enjoyable.  The fellowship was encouraging.  And at the end of the meal when I opened my Chinese fortune cookie….it was “spot on”!  Continue reading →

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January 14, 2014 · 6:46 am

What’s the World Coming To?

NewsRecent news headlines are pretty depressing. 

“No Pants Subway Day” Yes, it is what it sounds like!  In 60 cities across the world people rode the subway sans their pants.  Acting as if everything was normal people waited, boarded and rode the subway in their boxers, briefs and panties.  The twelfth annual event is said to have attracted over 4,000 participants in New York City.

As we shake our collective heads in utter disbelief and disgust, there is more…. Continue reading →

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January 13, 2014 · 7:21 am

Word of the Week: Compassion

CompassionSeveral years ago, I heard a story that came out of the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine contestants, all physically or mentally handicapped, assembled at the starting line to run the 100 yard dash.

The gun sounded.  And off they went!  Well, not exactly in a dash!  But with a zest and enthusiasm to run the race.  However, one little boy stumbled and fell.  As he tumbled to the track, he began to cry.  The other eight heard him. Stopped.  And slowly returned.  Continue reading →

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