Lots of lessons this week; seems like there are always lessons. And often they seem to be repeats. Maybe we keep learning the lessons we need most? I round out another week, thinking about the mistakes I made, the things I could have done better, the victories I had, the tidbits of getting better I …

Continue reading Into the Weekend

I value it so SO much: Quiet Time. Sometimes I don't get much, so when I do, I try to savor it all the more. I get up pretty early on work days, but otherwise I love the roll over for another hour of ZZZZZs. If magic happens at my house and everyone is in …

Continue reading Quiet Time

This song is the first one on a playlist my wife created to get fired up. Mission Accomplished, I'll say that.  Our kids love the music, and so do I. Our oldest said recently, "Mom, these songs have a lot of power...", or something like that. Yes honey, YES THEY DO.  And this one kicks …

Continue reading Lyrics Post: “The Champion”

Eighteen years ago America was attacked. Almost 3,000 people were killed in that attack. We came to understand in an ugly, vicious, and history-changing way how much hatred there is for the country by some others. Those haters, those evil-doers, are still out there. America is still at war EIGHTEEN years later fighting the extremism …

Continue reading 09/11/2019: REMEMBER

I started this blog five years and two months back.  The first post was 10 July, 2014.  Our third child had been born a few months prior; now all three are in grade school.   My wife and I had been married just about six years;  we'll soon be celebrating eleven years of marriage. A lot …

Continue reading Looking Back: Five Years, Two Months, or 1,885 Days

"Full Gas!" You hear pro cyclists make this reference frequently. It means racing all out, up tempo the whole way. The second, two-word phrase is the motto of Lions International, and all of the 45,000 plus clubs that make up the world of Lionism.  Over a million people committed in the service of others.  We …

Continue reading Full Gas! We Serve

"...And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."  This simple instruction came from Jesus talking about following his path and teachings. It states a very direct and explicit call to face life's difficulties and handle them according to the lessons Jesus left us:  Love God; Love one another; Be …

Continue reading Carry Your Cross

Easier said than done. Be happy. But it's definitely something we DO, not just something that happens. I see this bumper sticker on a car parked in my neighborhood most mornings, when I'm out for my canine stroll. It's a simple directive; and a good reminder too. Being happy is a choice. Coming off a …

Continue reading Be Happy

Who would have thought I'd be weaving a little story while cooking dinner on a weeknight? Typical for me, I suppose. Finding a story that is, not necessarily having the BBQ going on a work night. So here it is, a couple little insights from the backyard, as the smoke gently rises from the Weber. …

Continue reading Hot, Tranquility

I first heard this song when I was a teenager. It's one of the first of many songs that changed my life for the better. From that point to today, certain songs have come along that fundamentally shape and affirm my perspectives and attitudes. Funny that songs do that to us. What a gift. -- …

Continue reading Lyrics Post: “Closer to the Heart”