Better to Give Than to Receive?
For several years our church has been providing a free dinner each month for folks in the community. It has grown into a meaningful ministry. Most appreciate a good “church-made” meal but equally important has been the opportunity for fellowship amongst members and the community at large. Obviously while we were under stay-at-home orders, the dinner […]
Our Unopened Gifts
Imagine for a moment that on Christmas morning you were so taken up by one or two of your parent’s presents that you didn’t take the time to open any of the other gifts you were given—and that this exact same scenario played out again and again every single year for your entire life! Now […]
For Better or Worse
Crisis seems to bring out the best and worst of human nature, and the crisis we now find ourselves in is no exception. Daily we witness the heroism of medical professionals, while grocery store workers and delivery people who certainly never signed up to put their lives on the line, still go in to work […]
How to Not Just Survive the Pandemic, but Thrive!
For those of you who have been following my writing, you will recognize this post takes a somewhat different approach than usual. However, over the last few days, several of the patients that I counsel by phone have encouraged—or in one case, demanded!—that I write a post on some of the practical coping strategies I […]
Mom’s Wisdom
I was late! The parking lot of the doctor’s office was full except for a row of empty handicap spaces right up front. I glanced at the handicap tag hanging on the rear-view mirror. The tag is for my wife who wasn’t in the car. Should I…? I felt quite embarrassed being late for the […]
Reaching Across the Divide
I admit it. I was eavesdropping. I didn’t mean to be, but in light of what I heard, I can’t say I’m sorry. It happened in line at Publix. The two gentlemen directly in front of me, who apparently were friends or at least acquaintances, were talking loudly enough that I couldn’t help but overhear […]
The Secret to Finding God
On a recent visit with some close friends in Denver, I had three “close encounters” with the divine when our hosts took us to an extraordinary park and nature center near their home. As we wandered amongst the spectacular red rock formations, it was easy to see why the park had been called “Garden of […]
Popo! Popo! Read Us A Book!
Rita and I have been blessed with the world’s two most amazing, inquisitive, and lovable grandsons. I know you’re thinking that every grandparent says that, but I assure you, in our case, it is actually true! They are four and six years young at the present time, but it seems like those numbers are changing […]
A Pocketful of Eggs
I was cooking up a big pan of scrambled eggs when Molly came over and said, “Terry, we’ve got plenty of help back here. We could use you better out in the social room talking with folks!” Our adult Sunday school class was volunteering to help serve breakfast at an inner-city church. In some ways […]