My new college freshman friend was a decorated Eagle Scout. I was kicked out of my Boy Scout pack before reaching the Tenderfoot level. George asked if I liked being outdoors. I enjoyed playing football and baseball outdoors, and I practiced basketball in my backyard almost every day. George was the real life protype forContinue reading “THE GREAT OUTDOORSMAN”
Author Archives: rex blankenship
Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover: Renew Your Resolution
Voted Top Favorite story again. I received a late-night call from the police. A body was found in the backyard of the missionary house adjacent to our church parking lot. A neighbor had called 911. The person was either drunk or dead. The law enforcement asked me to be there as quickly as possible toContinue reading “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover: Renew Your Resolution”
A NEW YEAR REDO
REDO—to do over again, to repeat an action with hopes of better results. We all have moments we wish we could REDO. Maybe it was last year or an entire lifetime. REDO. It is a term woven into the fabric of our culture. The first time I ever heard that word was when my three-year-oldContinue reading “A NEW YEAR REDO”
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Every new year begins with GREAT EXPECTATIONS and usually slides downhill from there. This year is going to be GREAT! This year has turned out GOOD! This year has been OK! Then about the time this year becomes the WORST, someone hits the recycle button and its HAPPY NEW YEAR with GREAT EXPECTATIONS! Charles Dickens’Continue reading “GREAT EXPECTATIONS”
A CHRISTMAS LOVE LETTER
by REX BLANKENSHIP Oh, the Love of Christ!Without beginning.Without ending.Without interruption.Without limits. Relentless. Uncontainable. Inexhaustible. It created a beautiful universe.It gives life.God with us. Oh, the Love of Christ! Sleeps in a stable.Hangs on a cross.Perfumes an empty tomb.Glorifies a heavenly throne. It shines on every face of every raceliving at every pace in every space.Continue reading “A CHRISTMAS LOVE LETTER”
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS (Part 2)
All families are ‘dysfunctional.’ They just differ in degree of dysfunctionality. Jesus had a long history of family dysfunction. A long time ago in a Galilee far, far away…a Star appeared over the place a child was born. Jesus’ family Christmas story is chronicled in Matthew 1, the gospel that serves as a swinging gateContinue reading “DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS (Part 2)”
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS (Part 1)
Jesus had a long history of family dysfunction. You might too. Before we discuss these issues, let me introduce you to some church families I met one Christmas season. Once upon a time, I was asked to speak at a church Christmas festival in an unnamed town in the state of chaos. Two large familiesContinue reading “DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS (Part 1)”
THE NEVER-ENDING WAIT AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
Patience is waiting with a smile. At least that is what I teach my grandchildren. Surely, you have experienced the never-ending wait in a doctor’s office. If patience is a virtue, then the waiting room at my doctor’s office is the Vatican of self-restraint. My journey began at 9:00 AM. I arrived early. I hadContinue reading “THE NEVER-ENDING WAIT AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE”
FALLING LEAVES…BLOWING IN THE WIND
It was a gusty autumn afternoon, and the leaves had places to be. Forget lazy drifting—these were drama queens in disguise, skydiving through the air with all the urgency of latecomers at a Black Friday sale. Some leaves were tumbling over one another in a chaotic conga line, while others flapped and flailed like kidsContinue reading “FALLING LEAVES…BLOWING IN THE WIND”
THE LEANING TOWER of Broken Arrow
IS THE NEW WATER TOWER IN BROKEN ARROW LEANING? OR JUST AN OPTICAL ILLUSION? Once upon a time in the charming town of Pisa, Italy, the townspeople gathered for a grand celebration. They had just finished building a beautiful, tall bell tower next to their cathedral. The entire town was buzzing with excitement—until someone noticedContinue reading “THE LEANING TOWER of Broken Arrow”
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 