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Random Thoughts

Junkyard Wisdom 3.0

For several months I’ve felt like this blog had become tired looking. Remember the stock photography of the junked cars across the top? Like all junk cars it started to become an eyesore. Thus it is gone, and with the help of some talented people the whole site has been refreshed. I call it Junkyard Wisdom 3.0 because it’s the third redesign of the site since it was launched.

What do you think? The overall look is less junky, a little less gritty, but hopefully still has an edgy feel. Or at least more than the typical blog (admittedly not …

Family, Random Thoughts,

“Daddy, why do you have splinters in your face?”

After a long day of travel my face was showing an unshaven shadow of stubble. We boarded our flight when my daughter Rachel, who was about four at the time, began staring intently at my whiskers.

“Daddy,” she finally asked, “why do you have splinters in your face?”

It was one of those beautiful moments of childlike curiosity, wonder, and simplicity that makes a parent smile. D’Aun heard her question too, but she had to look away from me to avoid both of us breaking out in laughter. Knowing it was a sincere question, I said to Rachel, “Honey, those …

Random Thoughts,

Pigeon Monday Again

Thought I’d run a few of my previous posts this week as we approach Easter.

Today is Pigeon Monday. Or at least that’s what I call it. Hopefully I’ll start a new trend. It would seem that Jesus had something against pigeons. That’s evident from the story of Him tearing up the Temple grounds.

On the Monday before Passover, Jesus entered the Temple grounds and unleashed some fury. It was always one of my favorite Bible stories when I was a kid. The vision of the Messiah overturning tables, driving people out, blocking people from bringing anything through the Temple …

Random Thoughts, Westmont,

Sometimes You Just Feel Stupid

Sometimes you just feel stupid when you realize who is in the room with you, and last Saturday at breakfast was just such an occasion. Well, maybe not stupid exactly, but it was quickly apparent I was on the shallow end of the intellectual gene pool.

It all started when D’Aun and I flew to New York City because a long time friend, Dave Dolan, was to be honored by the Explorers Club of America at their 114th Annual Banquet. In addition to the banquet, Dave invited several of his friends to join him and his wife Nancy for breakfast …

Random Thoughts,

Worth Remembering

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’

Martin Luther King, Jr.

…

PathLight, Random Thoughts,

Christmas Mystery

There is a mystery about Christmas that should eternally amaze us; The Almighty God, creator and ruler of all, becomes a child born in poverty. That, my friends, is a marvelous truth. It is why we celebrate Christmas.

Sometimes we are busy or distracted or simply weary of the story, so to our detriment we fail to be awed by this mystery. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The lack of mystery in our modern life is our downfall and our poverty. A human life is worth as much as the respect it holds for the mystery. We retain the child in us …

Random Thoughts,

A Prayer For Christmas Preparations

In the midst of all the noise this season, we need a respite. A moment to stop, reflect, and pray. We need an interlude to prepare our heart, mind, and soul for the amazing. This short prayer, beautiful in its simplicity, can be a touchstone for us as we prepare ourselves for Christmas.

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send Your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to Your coming …

Book Reviews, Random Thoughts,

Advent

Christmas is four weeks from today, so it is safe to say we are in the season of Advent.

My faith tradition did not place a big emphasis on the Christian calendar, with the exception of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and of course Christmas Day. But there is great depth, even warmth, when we allow the seasons to enter our daily thinking.

This year I am going to read daily from the book God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is a collection of his letters from prison and a few of his sermons. If you are unfamiliar …