Think About It

          Last weekend I had the chance to go to a theme park with the family.  I really enjoy the water rides, so as the day began to wind down, a few of us decided to give it a try.  As I stood in line I began to notice the people who were exiting were drenched – not just wet, but soaked.  Well, I wasn’t going to be dissuaded by other people’s bad fortune, so I stuck it out and, sure enough, I got drenched!  As we got off the ride we noticed the “family dryers” stationed around the area.  While the idea sounded good, I wasn’t going to spend more money to get dry ... no matter how long it took me to dry naturally.  Well, our granddaughters’ other grandpa came to the rescue and paid for us to get use the dryer.  A few years ago, I might have been stubborn and not used the dryer since I didn’t pay for it, but I graciously (and thankfully) accepted the gesture and got a little drier.        ...

Jeane has been watching a video series on some of the great artists recently.   Now, let me go on record that I am not an art aficionado – in fact, if the truth were told – not only do I not know much about art, I really don’t care about it.   I realize that may make me appear to be shallow, but I am okay with that.   Anyway, every-once-in-a-while I will sit down and kind of watch along with her as she watches the show.   As I do, I usually have to ask, why is that guy famous?   I can recognize some of the masterpieces and I am familiar with some of their names, but I really don’t understand what makes great art.   I have, however, come up with a theory about one quality that makes a classic – death!   A lot of these guys were able to sell some of their works while they were alive, but it wasn’t until after their death that their works became priceless. Now, you may be wondering why I am taking the time to comment on this.   Why is a disinteres...

The other day I was having a conversation with a preacher friend of mine.  We were discussing some municipal changes to the local community that had the people up-in-arms.  Some adamantly supported a new road while others while others vehemently opposed its construction.  As my wise friend ended our conversation, he made an incredible statement – it doesn’t really matter what happens.  Approving the proposal might create extra traffic in a quiet neighborhood and denying the project might mean that they still had to endure high seasonal traffic congestion, but in all reality it just isn’t all that important.  Wow!  That is truth!  Life is not measured by whether or not we construct a road. Do we invest too much energy in things that have too little meaning?  It is easy to get “wrapped around the axle” over things that really aren’t that important.  We stress ourselves out over issues that will be gone and forgotten in a matter of months (or...

         I had the chance to spend part of last week in one of my favorite places in the world – the Teton Mountains.   Sure, there is something wonderful about Yellowstone National Park and most of the Rockies are incredible, but there is something special about the Tetons.   As I drove around one of God’s most scenic creations I got the chance to see some pretty cool critters including deer, elk, buffalo, antelope and a fox.   Yet, of all the wonders in this part of the world, the thing that still gets me as excited as anything is seeing a moose.   On one hand they are some of the most odd looking creatures, but there is just something neat about seeing them.           This time of year moose are not really all that attractive.   The bulls are missing their characteristic antlers and all of them are transitioning from enduring a long, rough winter by shedding their winter coats.   T...

I kind of hate to start your day off with this, but what is the meaning of life?   On one hand I realize that this question congers up deep discussions and eons of debate, but I am not sure that its reputation is deserved.   Sure, a lot of people have offered input, but just because someone has an answer doesn’t mean that it is the correct answer.   The preceding statement might tend to put a lot of pressure on me to deliver an accurate declaration that will ring through the ages, but I don’t have to worry about that because my answer isn’t really my answer.   The meaning of life was identified by the One who created life, Jesus, when He said, “ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” .   (Matthew 6:33)   Simply stated, the most important thing in life – and arguably the only important thing in life – is to glorify God.   Sure, we might have other pursuits and diverse interests,...

What is the key to consistently winning?  There may be many answers to this question, but if you watch those who are constantly victorious one of the qualities you will see is confidence – they believe they are going to win.  No, they may not come out on top every time, but they enter each of their competitions with a belief that they are going to win.  Whether in politics, athletics or anywhere else successful people believe they can do the job and are committed to being effective. Have we ever wondered why Christians struggle?   Whether it is in our personal challenges or as a movement it is easy to fear future outcomes and wonder if we are going to fail?   Interestingly, we are the ones who hold the answer to that question!   We determine whether we are going to be victims of or victors over our circumstances.   The New Testament is a story of power and victory.   We have been promised the strength we need to overcome the world when we are...

Do we live in the best of times ... or do we live in the worst of times?   I guess that, depending upon whom we ask, the answer could be “yes”.   We are surrounded by advancements in technology, finances and health care that couldn’t have been imagined a few years back.   Then, on the other hand, our society is struggling with blatant immorality.   The news (as well as community gossip) is filled with stories of evil and unrighteousness.   Most of us agree that our physical advancements make this a great time in which to live, but there is another segment of the population who lament the present condition of man as being so base and perverse that nothing good could come from the modern world.   While it is easy to hop aboard the “life is rotten” bandwagon, let’s take an honest look back at the history of our world.   Do we recall when this observation was made about mankind, “ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,...