Think About It

For those of us who are Texas Rangers fans, we haven’t had as much to cheer about in 2025.   This year isn’t what we had hoped for but today is a day worth remembering.   In 2007, the Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 30-3.   The 30 runs scored by the Rangers is the most scored by any team in modern Major League Baseball history (since 1900).   The interesting thing about that record breaking total is that it was done by a team that was not all that good!   The Rangers finished that game with a 55-70 record and ended the 2007 season 12 games under .500.   They finished 19 games behind the Angels in the American League West.   You would think that it would be a good team that holds the record for most runs in a game, but not necessarily.   Now, I don’t share this factoid with you to brag, but to serve as a lesson.   You never know what can happen on any given day, so give today your best effort.   Who knows the good can happen – so let...

          If you have been around public schools in bigger cities, there is a chance you have come across a school name in honor of Horace Mann.   Mann, a 20 th Century American, wasn’t your typical hero, but his influence on American education is substantial.   With school starting around the country, I thought it would be fitting to quote the Father of American Education; however, this one is not necessarily about traditional education.   As Mann considered his fellow man he observed, “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.”.   Not only is this statement insightful, but it is also far-reaching because it is true from an individual or a social perspective.   Whether we apply it to each one of us or all of us, social apathy derails us.             Maybe the quintessential example of this is found in the story of the Good Samaritan, but the ideology has been a part o...

This is the time of year when our young people’s attention begins to turn toward school.  Like it or not, as the calendar moves from August to September, a return to school is inevitable.  I remember disliking this time of year as a child, but I also realized that it was something I needed to do if I wanted to get ahead in life.  That didn’t make it easier, but it did make it tolerable. Now, that’s the dilemma from a child’s perspective, but parents have to make adjustments as well.  For some, they are ready for their children to go back to school, while others wish summer could last longer.  For most of us parents, we are willing to turn our children over to others to teach the principles of reading, writing and ‘rithmatic; but one way we have to stay involved in our children’s lives is when it comes to moral and spiritual principles.  We may not have the ability to teach chemistry or trigonometry, but we must be willing to be experts in matters of moralit...

A while back we talked about what has been called the spiritual “nones”.  These are people who may or may not be opposed to religion, but they just aren’t involved.  When asked about their religious preference, the answer is “none”.  The other day, I heard someone refer to the spiritual “dones”.  These are people who have been involved in organized religion but are no longer active (or as active as they used to be).  In essence, they admit that religion has been an important part of our lives, but they are “done with it”.  They haven’t, necessarily, lost their spiritual nature, they are just done with being active members of a church. While most of us can fathom having our spiritual commitment stretched to a limit, but is it excusable to fade off into the religious sunset?  Again, it is understandable to be weary; but is that enough to stop doing what we are called to do?  As I was thinking about this the other day, I came across some guidance Pau...

It is nice to be asked for our advice.   There is something satisfying about people thinking enough of us – and our opinion – to seek our input.   It gives us a chance to share what we have learned from life.   When people do what we suggest, especially when it works, it makes us feel good.   However, there is another side of the coin.   How does it make us feel when people choose not to take our opinion to heart?   One understandable implication for seeking advice is that we reserve the right to accept or decline it.   We hold the right of refusal.   So, how does that make us feel when we people say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”?   Often, we get so focused on our advice that we tend to forget that just because we say it, they don’t have to do it – even if we think it is the right answer.   That doesn’t make our advice bad or mean that they are bad people, it’s just part of the information gathering process.   We shouldn’t feel compelle...

Years ago, there was an adage that advocated, “Look out for Number 1”.   In essence, we were told by society that we needed to take care of ourselves because everyone knows that if we don’t do it, no one else will.   Makes sense, doesn’t it?   Well, maybe not.   Sure, from a humanistic perspective, taking care of ourselves helps us to get ahead, but is that where we are called to be?   Interestingly, being a leader doesn’t always mean being first.   In fact, if we look at the lives of the best leaders, they are often called “servant leaders” – and if we want to take this to the extreme, the greatest leader of all time, Jesus, was the ultimate servant as He was a literal sacrifice for all of mankind. Interestingly, this type of leadership was handed down to Christians (another name for “followers of Christ”) in a variety of places in the New Testament including the letters of Paul.   As he wrote to the church in the capital city he challenged believer...

          Forty-four years ago, my life changed.   Actually, it had changed well before that, but on August 14, 1981, it became official.   After a few months of dating, Jeane and I were married.             I don’t have enough space in this post to tell you how much of an influence she has had on my life but suffice it to say that I could not have done all I have gotten to do without her in my life.   In all honesty, I wouldn’t have been all I have become without her in my life.   I am blessed!           As I thought about this this week, I remembered what Solomon wrote years ago, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22).   I am sure the wise king doesn’t need my affirmation, but he is right!   A good wife is blessing that keeps on giving.   As I have reflected...