Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Sorted by date Results 1 - 14 of 14
Each December, pastors, writers, and pastors who are writers look for a fresh angle on the Christmas story. It is especially a challenge for those like me who have been around for more than a few decades. The incredibly powerful story of the incarnation is so familiar that it is difficult to come up with something that seems to be new. Maybe we shouldn’t worry about it because the story doesn’t need help from mere humans. It is indeed the greatest story ever told. While there is nothing new under the sun, we can still look for fresh ideas. Rece...
T’was the night before Thanksgiving and all through the place everyone was thinking about feeding their faces. The turkey was the focus - whether dark meat or white. The wish was that it would turn out just right. The family will be together and hope to get along well. They anticipate how amazing all that food will smell. There would be stuffing and gravy and mashed potatoes too. And though the noodles are not homemade, store-bought will do. Everyone will joke about eating too much. Whether it’s pumpkin pie or apple it is hard not to tou...
Now and then I see several things in my life that are opposites. Sometimes I do something embarrassing that is humiliating. I will introduce myself to someone. They informed me that we had already met. The assumption is that I should have remembered their name. Then there are the times I trip going up stairs. Those things can be humiliating. Thankfully there are better moments. At times I do something that leads people to kindly compliment me. I am put on a pedestal, whether deserving or not. In those moments I must decide how to receive the...
Today I resume my series of articles based on quotations on various topics. It occurs to me that these writings stand alone; and most people wouldn’t notice if I was in a series or not. But it’s helpful to me to think in these terms. Recent events in our world got me thinking about the topic of compassion. Wars and storms have taken terrible tolls. I have often felt compassion, but it ended with a feeling. On other occasions my compassion moved me into action. We see several examples in the gospel accounts of Jesus having compassion. Typ...
You may have missed it. Last Sunday is when summer officially ended and autumn began. One thing that some people will miss about summer is being in or on the water. Folks love fishing, swimming, boat rides, cruises, or just sitting and looking at the ocean or a lake. I did not get to any major bodies of water this summer. However, I did see several beautiful waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains. On one hike, my son and I climbed over some slippery rocks to get a closer look at the stunning falls. As we navigated the plunge pool to return to...
I hope that you are in a good mood as you begin to read this article. That is because today I’m going to look at quotations on an interesting topic. Maybe it’s appropriate because the school year is just around the corner. And for my fellow Pittsburgh Pirate fans it is certainly a topic worth discussing. Whether you are a school teacher, student or long-suffering Bucco fan, perhaps you are feeling a little sad as summer fades. Sadness is something that I want to consider. Please note that some of the quotations I will refer to today are not...
Thanksgiving is one of those unusual holidays that we look forward to near the end of November. I mentioned that it is unusual because it’s about the only time we think about pilgrims. It is also when families get together mostly in the name of gorging themselves on food. Football games are often watched even if people are not interested in the teams playing. It’s tradition. While there is nothing wrong with some of our Thanksgiving Day traditions, a better tradition would be to make every day a day of giving thanks. Today, as I continue my...
Imagine having said something so profound or interesting that your quote could be found in a book or online. Imagine having pastors share your quote or people repeating it around the world. As I continue my series on quotes, I am grateful for ones who have had good insights on heaven. That will be my focus today. I’ve mentioned before that I have quoted Billy Graham in funerals. As a hospice chaplain I often point people towards heaven. It is easy to want to hold on to this life and enjoy the blessings of earth. But certainly, as I get o...
I will keep this column on summer quotes brief because I am writing these words on the eve of my summer vacation, and I have not finished packing. I have often started writing and had the goal of writing a less verbose article as a treat for my readers. As you know, it seldom happens. I start thinking and typing and next thing I know, many words have flown by. Summer and life in general are the same way – fleeting. Years ago, there was a movie musical titled “In the Good Old Summertime.” You may know the tune to the title song. There is somethi...
As a pastor and one who likes culture and history, I have always been somewhat of a quote guy. I have used quotes in my sermons and writings and think that wisdom can be found in things that others have said, even if we don’t always agree with them or they do not come from a Christian perspective. I have learned that online one can’t always count on the accuracy or reliability of quotes. Some famous quotes are actually “misquotes”. Unfortunately, it’s kind of difficult to know which is which. Today I begin a series where I will look at some q...
Recently after preaching in my church, someone I never met before approached me. She thanked me for the message and told me that she reads my columns faithfully and appreciates them. I thanked her heartily because our brief exchange was a real blessing to me. In a sense, she was bringing glory to my name even though I didn’t understand how she even knew my name or who I was. There are people in the world and godless nations who, at this point, may not know the name of Jesus. They do not acknowledge God the Father or the Holy Spirit, but one d...
Mother’s Day has passed. The flower shops, card companies, and restaurants are still counting their profits. If you are a mom, I hope you felt appreciated and valued last Sunday. More importantly, I trust you get appreciation and gratitude on a regular basis. And if you are a lady who has lost a child or has a prodigal, I hope you find comfort in the fact that your significance is in Christ. I know you will never give up and will not stop praying. I have heard people say that every day should be Mother’s Day and I don’t disagree with that....
My wife and I recently returned from an anniversary trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida. We had a great time together in the sun and wished we could have extended our four-day trip for another month or two. But real life awaited us back home. While I could tell you some details of our trip, I want to focus on my reflections from the back of the airplane. We flew from Washington to Tampa on an economy airline. The price was right, but the conditions were less than ideal. The city traffic in both places reminded me that I’m thankful to live in B...
I am not one who watches a lot of television. At home, I can no longer watch my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates or pitiful Penguins. We watch the news and some old westerns or classic family shows. There is little else that is worthwhile or of interest. That does not mean I am not exposed to a lot of TV programming. Virtually anytime I visit a nursing home there are multiple televisions playing at maximum volume. I would hate to guess how many commercials that I have seen in my lifetime! Some of them are clever and humorous. Most, drive me crazy...
