Think About It

What are we looking for in life?  For some, they are looking for the security found in a good job.  For others, they are searching for something that will make them famous.  Still others are seeking an adventure that will define their lives.  Yet, the other day I came across a quote that helped put things in perspective.  In his book, The Icarus Agenda, Robert Ludlum observed, “The most precious jewels are not made of stone, but of flesh.”.  In essence, the riches so many people are trying to find aren’t the true riches that are worth being found.  The genuine treasures of life are those that are found in relationships.  We can make money, we can travel the world, we can accomplish incredible things; but, in the end, the things that make life livable are the people we meet along the way.  Centuries ago, a wise man reflected on relationships and observed, “A friend loves as all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)....

          For people who spend so much time trying to communicate, there are times we don’t do a very good job of it.   Typically, when we don’t accomplish our goal, it has more to do with the reception than the execution.   I think that one of the challenges to communication is when we listen to the words, rather than the intent.   Now, you might be saying that that’s what we should be doing, right?   Well, not necessarily.   While we’d like to think that people do an effective job of saying what they mean, often times the words don’t accurately reflect what they are trying to explain.   Additionally, when it comes to us listening to the meaning we can be guilty of getting sidetracked by our own emotions.   It is easy to get so wrapped up in wondering “What did they mean by that?” or criticizing, “That isn’t exactly correct.” and miss the point of the conversation.           ...

Last Saturday several dozens of us did the St. Mary’s Splash.   Now, if you are not from Southern Maryland, the Splash is kind of a Mid-Atlantic version of a “polar plunge”.   While it doesn’t involve cutting ice off of a body of water, the air and water are a bit “fresh”.   With air temperatures in the upper 30s and the Potomac at 48 degrees, it does get your attention.   The reason I bring this up is because for 24 hours leading up to the event, what seemed like a good idea months before begins to lose its luster.   Walking out of a warm house and into a chilly State Park can make you a bit cranky.   Standing on the bank of the river staring at the water just adds to the angst.   You know what is coming and you remember that it’s going to hurt – but, as soon as the countdown is done, you head off into the water and 40 seconds later, it is done!   Oh, it’s chilly, but as you stand on the shore wrapped up in your nice comfy towel, the chill is r...

On this date in 1933 one of the most controversial times in the United States came to an end.   The 18 th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, importation and transportation of alcoholic beverages within this country starting in 1920.   The experiment that lasted over a decade came to an end with the passage of the 21 st Amendment on December 5, 1933.   The value or detriment of legally prohibiting the consumption of alcohol is a topic I don’t have the time or the inclination to discuss here and now; however, the passage of the 1933 law placed the choice firmly back into laps of American businesses and its citizens.   I have my own personal thoughts about drinking, but whether we are for it or against it, I do believe there is value in respecting the impact drinking (and all intoxicating substances) can have on us.   While a case can be made for moderation in most things, the use of intoxicants must be carefully monitored. ...

One of the people who has had an incredible influence on modern America is Walt Disney.  Not only has he molded how we entertain ourselves, I also believe that he challenged modern people to test the limits of our imagination.  Sure, some of what he (and his companies) did was pure fantasy, but by encouraging people to dream about what is possible he reshaped society.  If you don’t believe me, just head down to central Florida in the middle of July on a hot, steamy day and look at how many people are willing to shell out hundreds of dollars to hang out in line with thousands of people for hours and be convinced that they are in the most magical place on earth! While there aren’t many people who can imagine like Walt, I think that is only part of what made his dreams come true.  Disney is quoted as saying “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”.  The truth of the matter is that a lot of people talk about doing something, but those who actuall...

          Is it more important to be right or to be humble?  Now, before we get too far into this discussion, I believe that we should do our best to believe what is correct and say the right things, but that doesn’t give us an excuse to be arrogant about our intelligence.  Sure, there is value in a pursuit to be the smartest kid in the classroom, but just getting the correct answer isn’t always the right way to live.  There is a way to be accurate in our information and appropriate in our interactions with others.            Some of the people who impress me the most are the ones who are quietly confident in what they know.  They do their work to know the truth, but they don’t have to be showy.  They are prepared to enter the conversation, but they don’t belittle the people who happen to be wrong.  One of my favorite descriptions of humility is the ability to see ourselves as w...

          There is a religious concept called “predestination”.   Now, since I don’t follow the traditional interpretation of the concept, I am not an expert on it, but basically, I understand there are some who believe that we don’t have a choice in the matter – we are either predestined to be saved or lost.   Again, I don’t adhere to this tradition, so please excuse me if my explanation misses the mark.   Now, even though I don’t adhere to the concept of eternal predestination, I do believe there is another type of predestination taught in the Bible.   When believers accept the conditions of faithfulness, they are destined to do good.   The Apostle Paul notes, “ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).   Again, I struggle with believing that God put some of us on a path to righteousness and others are...