One of my daughter’s favorite toys when she was a little girl was an “Etch-a-Sketch.” It had a red plastic frame with a gray screen and two little knobs at the bottom and looked like a little TV. Moving the knobs caused a black line to appear, and manipulating them enabled the holder to draw or write on the screen. One knob moved the line up and down and the other moved it from side to side. It was a high tech marvel at the time and my daughter had a love-hate relationship with it. After devoting enough time to have drawn 15 pictures on a regular sheet of paper, she’d emit an exasperated groan, turn Continue reading
Time to Turn Up the Volume
Near the top of the list of commercials that send me reaching for the remote are those where the person on camera feels the need to yell at me. Sometimes yelling at me is a good thing. If, for instance, someone saw me about to step within striking distance of a poisonous snake, yelling at me would be welcome. But yelling to warn me that I might suffer life-long regret if I don’t run out today and buy that new car, or appliance, or mattress, or those trendy new sneakers just isn’t the same thing. Having said all that, I have to admit that Continue reading
The Devil’s Hiring ~ But His Paychecks Always Bounce
Focusing on the value of work and celebrating its role in maintaining the health, welfare, and economic stability of our country is a good thing. Researchers tell us that average Americans (that’s probably not you, of course, since our readers tend to be characteristically above average) spend about 90,000 hours, or some one third of their lives working. Since we invest so much of our lives in that endeavor, it isn’t surprising that our Creator has a lot to say on the subject, and what better time to contemplate the issue than on Labor Day weekend. Continue reading
Unleashing Expectations
My brother invested most of his adult life serving the Lord in some aspect of Christian ministry. Reflecting on the things that characterized his life, I asked him once what principles he found most helpful in managing his relationships with people over all those years. Knowing him, I anticipated hearing how he took some deeply rooted conservative theological concept and added a layer of positive pragmatism to make it fit the immediate circumstance. I got none of that. Instead, with no hesitation, he said, “That’s easy. My secret is Continue reading
“Workouts” ~ Vital for Spiritual Fitness, Too
There was at least one occasion in my life when every physical fitness goal I had was finally achieved. I recall smiling with satisfaction and glowing confidence as the mirror reflected what faithful adherence to a demanding exercise regimen can produce. I should probably mention that I Continue reading
Weaponizing the Dictionary
Words present a unique and challenging paradox. While they are sometimes profound in their strength, at other times, when called upon to express something deeply moving, they feel woefully impotent. In some cases, words are vitally important, while in others, they’re considered as little more than the garnish on a serving plate, valued for appearance but never intended for actual consumption.
The Scope and Power of Words ~
The breadth of territory that words can encompass is virtually without limit, and the power they can wield is immense. Words can lay hold of Continue reading
