“You are coming with me,” my daughter insisted as she made plans to attend a Tony Orlando concert at Epcot. It wasn’t that she is a fan of the singer, or even knows much about him. Her reason for wanting to go was that over the years, people have often told me that I look…
Garbage In, Garbage Out
As we pulled up to the industrial complex hoping to find a good meal, I was reminded of a term I learned in my high school computer class: “Garbage in, garbage out.” How did we get to this place, and why weren’t they serving steak? It was quite simple really; we had fed the wrong…
Summertime and the Cheating Is Easy
Why would anyone take the time to write an essay when they have a robot that can do it better? That seems to be the attitude of some of my students. With the sudden and rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), anyone with a computer also has a hard-to-detect cheating machine. Recently, two students both…
Mohs and the Holy Spirit
She cut my face open four times last Wednesday, leaving a large wound beside my nose, plenty of stitches, and a black eye. “She” is a dermatologist, and the procedure is called Mohs surgery, which is a treatment for skin cancer. Each time I was called to the cutting room, the doctor would slice…
Graduation
It was a proud moment as I watched my students receive their diplomas. I was there when these students struggled, procrastinated, worried, failed, tried again, and excelled. But at the graduation, there was only celebration, no matter how rocky the path to the goal. Since I love a good metaphor, I can’t help noticing the…
Spiritual Seasons
Today I am enjoying Spring in Oklahoma. Trees have covered their naked limbs with leaves, roses are blooming, and my peach tree has dropped its petals to replace them with infant fruit. Spring is much more subtle in Florida, where I spend most of my time, but those of us who live there are able…
Weeds in God’s Garden
Some of you have been generous with advice about what to give my mother for her 95th birthday. Thank you for your suggestions which ranged from the Camaro one reader was trying to sell to a flower bouquet. It was my wife who came up with the winning idea—a pair of gloves with claws at…
Gifts for Mom and God
Today is my mother’s 95th birthday and I have no idea what to give her. It’s not that she needs a gift or even wants one, but I want to give her something that will make her happy. She has told us many times not to give her anything. Still, a 95th birthday is something…
Get Me an Advocate
I could sure use an advocate. The trouble is that the people who were elected to represent me are the ones who are creating my problem. You see, I love my neighborhood. It is a beautiful mixture of trees, water, homes, and natural habitat for many of God’s other creatures, such as eagles, alligators, owls,…
Flat Tires
It’s time to start riding again. I used to look forward to riding my bike and would ride about seven or eight miles every morning. Then I fell and broke some ribs, then the weather was bad, then I had surgery, then I did some travelling, then I gained several pounds, then I lost some…
Eulogy for Old LG
Hey, Old LG! Here’s your eulogy.For a few years, you kept food freshly.Although your heart was cold and darkly,Specially with your doors shut tightly.I took a trip, you quit completely.On my return you smelled distinctly.Two men came and removed you quickly.As you left, I again breathed freely.R.I.P.
Life Stinks, Easter Doesn’t
Everything rots. I was rudely reminded of that when my daughter called last night to let me know that our refrigerator had shut off and our house has a new un-fresh scent. Life is uncertain. My plan was to drive back to our Florida home five days ago, but my wife became ill and could…
The $500 Tip
I tipped a waitress $500.00 last week. I didn’t mean to, but I did. Yes, she was a very good waitress, and I was impressed when I saw her sit at the table of the elderly woman who was eating alone and chat for a few minutes. But I can’t afford $500 tips. Here’s how…
Connecting to a Legacy of Faith: Lessons from Psalm 78
As a Bible teacher, I was reminded during church that the Israelites’ story of crossing the Red Sea is my story too, as I was adopted into God’s family. Psalm 78 emphasizes the importance of passing down stories to the next generation about the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Reflecting on my family’s faith, I’m grateful for the foundation they’ve laid and challenged to consider what I’m passing down. Let’s take time to reflect on our ancestors’ stories, ask questions while we can, and consider what we’re passing down to the next generation.