May 03
Reverend Dr. Robert L. Polk became a friend of my parents, while attending Doane with them, and was best man at their wedding (in 1952). Bob Polk has had a wonderful life and has been, and is, an inspiration for thousands. Doane University named their newly built amphitheater in Robert Polk’s honor, on May 17, …
Jan 04
My sermon this month is titled, Eyes, Nose, and Shoulder for the Sake of Christ. The primary point is to keep our eyes on Jesus (from Hebrews 12:1). I’ve always like the metaphors of keep your nose to the grindstone and put your shoulder to the wheel. To do the will of God we do …
May 03
I had a colleague shared a poem with me I’d not seen before. Good one, by Marge Piercy in 1973, “To be of use.” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57673/to-be-of-use To be of use The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. …
Feb 21
Tim Keller, who I respect very much, has written an extensive article on the decline of the American church. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tim-keller-decline-renewal-american-church/ It is, in fact, part of a yet larger work. Fuller article here. I am one who does believe in the virgin birth, life, death, physical resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the transforming power …
Jan 17
The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires.Online from a poem by Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) the very influential Persian mathematician, philosopher, & poet. Follow this link for an insightful analysis of the poem.https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/K/KhayyamOmar/4NowNewYear/index.html He was certainly not Hebrew or Christian.
Mar 24
Cory Booker gives an inspirational speech to supreme court justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson (see here*) and here. Cory Booker is being: hopeful respectful historical poetic realistic (for all have sinned and fall short) forward thinking inspirational encouraging. We need this sometimes (actually, we need this more often than not). I applaud him. He is …
Jan 01
2021 In 2021, I started, and was able to complete, two daily Christian devotionals. I think this is the first time I’ve ever been able to actually do all 365 days. These were excellent. The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge is written by Tony Dungy. This was a gift to me Christmas 2020 from …
Aug 15
A few notes related to today’s sermon, The Joy of POP (privilege, opportunity, priority). Tony Dungy Books by Tony Dungy here. They include Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life and The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge. Super Bowl Breakfast Speech Tony Dungy Super Bowl Breakfast 2006 Part 1 …
Jun 08
Phillipians 2:3-5 says: 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Forgive me Lord. When I approach a …
