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The Pursuit of ‘Happyness’ (Revisited)

Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers wrote in our country’s Declaration of Independence about our God-given rights “to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” That made me think about God’s promise of happiness to Adam and Eve and their pursuit of that happiness. The promise and pursuit are very similar to our situations. ThereContinue reading “The Pursuit of ‘Happyness’ (Revisited)”

THE SHOE (a lifted tribute to a trampled brother)

This Winsday Wisdom has no redeeming value. It is more about a shoe sole than your soul. Why, oh why, would I stand on a football field holding one tennis shoe in the air as if I were carrying the Olympic torch? It was homage to my brother. What is homage? It is a publicContinue reading “THE SHOE (a lifted tribute to a trampled brother)”

STRESS

Ah ha, ha ha, Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive… Ah ha, ha ha, Stayin’ Aliiiiiive… This past week was my annual heart stress test. I was not looking forward to it. I felt uncertain whether I was up to the challenge and a little concerned about my health condition. The recent record heatwave added an excuseContinue reading “STRESS”

Side by Side Rewind

Another football season has begun. That means thrills for many and groans from others. This is a rewind account of my first college football experience which includes a WInsday WIsdom spiritual application for all of us. A capacity crowd filled the football stadium as my university team battled a Top Twenty opponent. The game wasContinue reading “Side by Side Rewind”

I FACE-PLANTED A WATERMELON

Face-plant—to fall suddenly and face-first, often resulting in an embarrassing situation. Have you ever thought or dreamed about becoming a writer? My mother was a high school and college English teacher. She taught writing skills. She wrote occasional newspaper and magazine articles. She wrote her books on the hearts of her students. Her most notedContinue reading “I FACE-PLANTED A WATERMELON”

DISCOMBOBULATED: OUT OF ORDER

DISCOMBOBULATED. I woke up one morning this week thinking about the word, “discombobulated.” DISCOMBOBULATED. I could not shake the thought. What in the world happened? Now this is how I imagine my mind works. There are two marbles rolling around in my head. One left brain marble and one right brain marble. Every once inContinue reading “DISCOMBOBULATED: OUT OF ORDER”

UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE OR CANOE

Did you ever lend someone a helping hand, only to discover that it ended up costing you an arm and a leg? That was how I felt as the supervisor of a youth group float trip down the Illinois River. It also resulted in a bloodied body and bruised ego. I am not an outdoorContinue reading “UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE OR CANOE”

Your Life Direction Matters

The first visit to Boston by this unsophisticated, small-town Midwestern high-school hick proved to be a Tale of Two Cities. I loved the home of the Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox. I did not like the cold, crowded city. I ended my visit early, ready to be home. My grown-up kids travel the landContinue reading “Your Life Direction Matters”

THE LONGING OF MY SOUL

Psalm 84 Bible Study The big question I wish to address is, “How real is God in your life?” The main way to a greater reality of God’s presence and goodness in your life comes from the study of God’s Word. I invite you to join me in this pursuit. I recently preached a sermonContinue reading “THE LONGING OF MY SOUL”

DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. It was the worst Monday Moaning of my life (at least at that time). I felt sorry for myself. I was so down. Monday Moaning down in the depths of the sea down. Rock bottom down. Down in the dumps. Down and out. Down for good. DownContinue reading “DOWN IN THE DUMPS”