Following a recent presentation, a young man wanted to know if I had time for him to ask me a question. When I agreed that I had time, he asked his question – “What do you do when someone criticizes you?” A lot of questions need time to think through an answer before responding. Some that need time,…
As major league baseball season winds down and professional ice hockey season begins, I am reminded of something that happened a few years ago. I was on sabbatical leave, teaching at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Alberta, Canada. The Canadian national newspaper carried an interesting editorial heavily criticizing the United States for stealing Canada’s…
Friends read what you write. Special friends not only read what you write, but they share your words with their friends. Phil is one such a special friend. For many years, I have written an October issue of my Monday Morning Manna on the subject of Pastor Appreciation, since October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This month, my…
The writer of Ecclesiastes acknowledges that “to everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Although baseball had not been invented at that writing, this week begins Major League Baseball playoff season. Here is what some have said about this wonderful season: The more important thing is to win enough games to get into the playoffs, then…
The Best and the Worst of Times A Tale of Two Cities, published in 1859, is a historical novel by Charles Dickens, with a plot centered on the years leading up to the French Revelution. But it’s opening sentence of Chapter One could describe this season of the year – “It was the best of…
I’ve been privileged to serve twenty-nine churches as Interim Pastor-from the ending of one pastor until the beginning of the next pastor. I’ve served people who were sad (at the loss of a beloved pastor). I’ve served people who were mad (at the pastor for leaving or retiring). I’ve even served a few people who were glad (upset…
First it was for a broken and dislocated right shoulder. The second time it was for my hip. The third time it was for the lower back. This time it was for the left shoulder. In case you are still wondering – for what? It was for physical therapy. I should finish the final session soon. In spite of some…
First it was for a broken and dislocated right shoulder. The second time it was for my hip. The third time it was for the lower back. This time it was for the left shoulder. In case you are still wondering – for what? It was for physical therapy. I should finish the final session soon. In spite of some…
A Fort Worth Police Officer was working a traffic accident last week in the early morning hours, when a driver whose alcohol content was extremely high, came up a freeway ramp in the wrong direction and hit the officer, who was pronounced deceased at the hospital a few hours later. There are at least four reasons…
My wife and I recently celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary. Many of the friends who celebrated the wedding with us are no longer around. Of course, older family members are gone, two of my five groomsmen are no longer with us, and likewise two of Joanne’s five brides maids have already departed this earth. We’ve been attending…