Much of Jesus’ New Testament teaching points toward humility. An admirable quality then and now. Of course we know that Jesus came from humble beginnings. Born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem, raised in a backwater town called Nazareth. Jesus was humble and lowly.
How many times have we heard a person on the news say something like, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.” Are they really? I mean, are they really praying? It sounds nice to say, and it is a wonderful sentiment. It feels good to say those words of comfort. Yet, how often do we follow through and actually pray?
Watching the news, seeing the chaos on college campuses, so much unrest in the Middle East, politicians proving again and again they can’t be trusted......what’s going on? Where are we headed. Who or what is stoking the fire?
Many questions, very few answers.
We are surrounded by so much that is wrong and it’s affecting all of us. But in the midst of all that is happening, we fail to see how it affects our most important treasure---our youth. And there is no way we can shield them from all of this.
This week’s column will be a little different than what you’re used to reading. Yes, I enjoy it when many of you have commented on the humor that I share with you, especially about my family. But today will not be entertaining you with humor but with concern for you and hopefully, some preventive care.
A little over a week ago I was diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer. I wish I could tell you this was my first one but unfortunately it’s not. Note: there is a picture in this column of my latest skin cancer.
2 Timothy 1:5-6 “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also. 6 Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
Phone technology has changed so much since I was a youngster that it’s unbelievable.
I grew up in an era when we had telephone operators that would say, “number please.” And we also had party lines, which meant you shared a line with another person. You weren’t supposed to listen in to another person’s conversation, but....... sometimes you just couldn’t help it.
As I write this on Tuesday, the forecast for the predicted storms headed our way sound pretty serious. High winds, hail, thunderstorms, hail and possibly tornadoes are all in the watch. The storms are supposed to hit later this afternoon.
I love storms. I always have, even as a child.
If you read the Gospels carefully, you’ll notice that no one enjoyed Easter morning. The greatest day in human history, when the sun rose upon a tomb opened and empty, wasn’t met with a joyful “Alleluia” or shouts of praise. The women at the tomb instead struggled with a mess of emotions. Each evangelist tells the details a little differently, but all of them show that instead of finding answers at the tomb, the women found only questions.
Now that the eclipse is over, everyone can return to their normal routine, whatever that may be.
It was fun, exciting, and as I read this morning, or those who were in places where the eclipse was total, there were four minutes of silence. In some areas the eclipse lasted about four minutes.
People either flew or drove hundreds, maybe thousands of miles just to see this once in a lifetime event. I saw on the news that one man flew in from Africa just to see it.
Growing up in Central Illinois I became part of a feud that is prevalent here. I am not talking about the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, although maybe there are feuds between families in this part of the world. I am talking about the Cubs verses the Cardinals. Baseball season is upon us and the rivalry is out there in full force. I happen to be a Cub fan, which does not necessarily have the biggest fan base around here. With St. Louis being closer than Chicago, the Cardinals manage to gain the most support amongst my fellow Central Illinoisans. But I grew up a Cub fan with my Grandmother and Dad watching the Cubs faithfully.