With 10 days left until the big day of Christmas arriving, a popular question is “are you ready for Christmas?”  I know that virtually everyone is busy with activities that include meal planning, gift securing, party attending, tradition making, and more.  If we are ready, the list has been checked off as completed or is… Read More »

It happened last evening while I was standing in line waiting to make a sandwich at the Fellowship Supper.  I noticed one of the many awesome teenagers who are a part of the congregation and said hello and asked how he was doing.  After some exchanging of pleasantries, he wondered if he could ask me… Read More »

The scene is familiar.  It has been the plot in dozens of Christmas movies.  The characters are usually extra busy as they go about the things they “must do” in order to celebrate this holiday.  The busyness leads to being anxious and even letting a bit of frustration leak out because of the pressure.  By… Read More »

I can’t remember if it was 1968 or 1969 when Thanksgiving for my family was one like I had never seen before or since.  As a young boy, I remember my family getting ready for our annual pilgrimage to Toronto, KS.  This tiny town was the gathering place for many of my mom’s relatives.  At… Read More »

When I was a teenager by parents forced my brother and I to join with them in what I thought was the most annoying ritual imaginable.  Every Sunday afternoon, dad would inform us that it was time for our weekly “drive”.  Part of the reason it was so annoying centered around my own desire to… Read More »

Where you 50 years ago this week?  I know that many of you hadn’t made your appearance in the world yet but many, like me may remember very clearly.  I remember it not because it was the week the Richard M. Nixon was reelected president although that was a significant event.  His reelection efforts featured… Read More »

I don’t like roller coasters.  The older I have gotten the more my desire to avoid roller coasters has grown.  I suppose I wouldn’t have a problem getting on a very vanilla style roller coaster but these new contraptions that have the appearance of some kind of torture, no thanks! I remember when my kids,… Read More »

We all know that change is inevitable.  Nothing stays the same.  We see it in the fashions of the day and the seasons and weather.  We often long for a vision of the past that truthfully is often remembered differently than how it really was. I see it when I look in the mirror.  Somehow,… Read More »

I suppose most of the people who will bother to read this blog post know that it is Pastor Appreciation month.  The Itawamba Christian Church people really got the memo on this celebration and again this year, Camille and I are enjoying a daily offering of appreciation from different folks within the congregation.  October has… Read More »

For those who have paid close attention, you will have noticed a strange bird on the front license plate of our vehicle.  No, it isn’t a poor bird that we accidentally hit while traveling.  It is a mythical bird that is very much familiar to people who hail from Kansas.  It is known as the… Read More »