Mr. Carr was dying. “Come with me to visit him,” the preacher invited. Sitting in his overly warm living room, the ailing gentleman rallied to sit upright in his recliner and pajamas. I was twenty-three. He was eighty-three. “Mr. Carr,” I had a flash of genius, “Looking back at when you were […]
President Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal is his take on how to negotiate a favorable business outcome. One of his key points is to “Aim High.” Here is what he said about that point: “I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing to get what I’m after. Sometimes […]
Several years ago a man I’ll call Ray, attended our church. Ray had a friend named Bart. Bart was a 3-inch plastic pilot who flew a Lego spacecraft. His co-pilot was a white Lego cat. Ray, Bart, and the cat were inseparable. Whenever I saw Ray, I’d greet him and he’d then remind me, “Say […]
Let’s listen closely to some things Jesus said about himself and His Father. “What you see me doing, is what I’ve seen my Father doing. What you hear me saying, is what I’ve heard my Father say.” “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen my Father.” “As the Father has loved you, so have I loved […]
The “walkabout” is Australian Aborigine’s rite of passage in which indigenous males undergo a journey, typically between ages ten to sixteen, living in the wilderness for a period as long as six months. It is their spiritual and traditional transition into adulthood. These walkabouts are a boy’s first steps into independence, identity, and maturity. Enlightenment, […]
“You are one of the very few people I really believe is a true Christian.” A man in his early 30s said this to me yesterday. “You actually live what you tell others. You are genuine and I respect that.” This man and I have only visited a couple of times before over the […]
(And 2 MAJOR MISTAKES to Avoid!) Time limited? Don’t know what to do with your son? Want your weekend to count? Here are 10 easy service projects that BUILD your relationship with your son (or daughter) and take less than half a day! Visit someone who is lonely. It isn’t necessary to take any gifts, […]
I’ve been watching two construction crews for the past eight months or more. Both are within four miles of my home and both are building a bridge. They’ve taught me a lot about life and parenting. I meet every week with five or six men at a local recovery center. They share things like, […]
It is getting more attention in media, in journalism, and even by the government – fatherlessness is an injustice. A man’s choice to walk away from his family and the duties owed to it is selfishness in a shell casing of immaturity. The pain and disaster father-absence delivers to children and society is no less […]
I visited with a man today and asked him what he had learned to do, by age twelve, to be loved and affirmed. “Be the best,” he answered. Many of you may share that belief, but does it work? I asked him if he thought it had worked for him. He thought only a few […]