Sitting around in our dorm room, about 4 or 5 of us guys began talking about two of our friends on our floor who had just lost their grandparents. It was not uncommon amongst us college students to hear that someone’s grandparent had just passed away. I attended a Bible College in central Illinois. In those years, Lincoln Christian College (now called Lincoln Christian University), … Read more
It is an unforgettable and wonderful series of memories as I go back in my mind to an early September day in 1987. I cannot help but pause and reflect how it all began — it was the beginning of “Us.” It was the first couple weeks of my senior year in college. Soccer practice had just finished and I was on my way to … Read more
I’ve been a Harry Potter fan since about the time book 3 was released (mid-1999). I bought books 1 and 2, then read 3. Every year after that I stood outside Barnes & Noble for the midnight release of the newest book. I’ve read the books several times and listened to the audio books a couple times too. I did the same with the movies. … Read more
Probably my most watched and favorite movie is Out of Africa. So many reasons for this that are beyond the scope of this post… not least of which is I have been on the farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills and in the house of Karen Blixen. Past the midpoint of the movie, Karen Blixen is reflecting after her years in Kenya and … Read more
The Wild vs. The Zoo I’ve seen lions chase down and kill wildebeest in the wild. I have seen them fight off hyenas and jackals to defend their kill. I have seen lions at the zoo. I’ve seen elephant herds thunder across the savannah in the wild. I have seen bull elephants crash into each other as they fight for dominance on the plains of … Read more
I have spent the last few months reading some fantasy fiction books by two great authors: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Reflecting, 2 things came to my mind: C.S. Lewis makes complex issues understandable and simple in his fiction. Tolkien is almost the opposite in taking simple stories and making them enjoyably complex and deep. It certainly isn’t because Lewis isn’t deep. Just the opposite. … Read more
Rarely Present He enters the living room and sits on the couch. Phone out and in a constant exchange with friends and girlfriend. We talk about a few things, but he isn’t really listening. “What was that,” he asks? “Nothing,” I say. Twenty minutes later he gets up because he has to go. While good to see him, I think I would have rather sat … Read more
The Eagles have a classic song, Wasted Time. It’s a smooth song with Don Henley singing about the bitterness of what might have been wasted time when faced with the regret of a lost relationship. (That’s not the best video, but the song and the music are excellent. I’m not sure if the Eagles actually have a YT channel.) The song, Wasted Time, is a … Read more
“Your Test Came Back Positive.” The doctor cracked the curtain where I was sitting in the ER to deliver the news. I was stunned. I was deadpanned. How quickly things had changed. One week prior on Father’s Day I saw my son walk out of the same ER after he had been told he was positive. He had been working with some youth with their … Read more
I worked successfully from home and ran my own business for more than a dozen years. It wasn’t all picture perfect, but I must have done something right to make it last that long. Tip #1. Get Out of Your Pajamas Get up like you’re going to work. Take a shower and get dressed. You’ll feel better and your family will like you more. There … Read more
I have been watching YouTube videos and reading medical articles about the benefits of intermittent fasting. It’s not new, but it is quite the trendy thing going on right now (just go to youtube and type in “intermittent fasting”). I have been successful with: Weight Watchers (the old Points Plus system) – It was a decent experience. It basically taught portion control. Pros: you can … Read more
I tend to be very self focused. I can also be a fairly selfish individual. Maybe not in all areas of my life, but when it comes to my dreams, my vision, my purpose – it becomes obvious that I want “my” needs met to make those things happen. 2020 is the Beginning of a New Way of Doing Things I have spent the last … Read more