Originally Posted June 8, 2021 St. Augustine describes the Sermon on the Mount as  “the perfect standard of the Christian Life”…and the Beatitudes as the “centerpiece” of the sermon.  St. Ambrose says, “ the Beatitudes are meant to be directed inward towards our internal poverty and the attainment of spiritual peace as preparation for the spiritual combat … Continue reading “The Perfect Standard” →

Originally Posted June 14, 2021 Do you believe in miracles…..the phrase uttered by sportscaster Al Michaels in the closing seconds of the United States' improbable semi-final victory over the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics — an event thereafter known as the "Miracle on Ice". Well, I may be getting a little too excited by … Continue reading “Miracle On Dirt” →

Judy and I are taking care of Nemo, our grandson’s goldfish, while they’re on vacation. Nemo seems to know me. He swims back and forth when I pass by. I find myself saying hello to Nemo throughout the day. He’s a pretty nice goldfish. "Man's Best Friend" I just read that the term  'a dog is … Continue reading “No One Understands Me” →

Remember George Banks from the movie  “Father of the Bride”. Remember the scene about the blender.  “You know, Brian, Annie’s a very passionate person. And passionate people tend to overreact at time. Annie comes from a long line of major overreactors. I can definitely lose it.”   "Saga of the Hotdog & Hotdog Buns" I guess we can all tend to overreact … Continue reading “It’s Okay– It’s Not A Big Deal” →

Originally Posted May 20, 2021 I’ve been intrigued by a TV program entitled “Running Wild With Bear Gryll”.  Gryll is a British adventurer, writer, television presenter and businessman. In this show he takes a celebrity on a wilderness adventure…skydiving, rappelling off 300’ cliffs, eating snakes, etc. At some point the celebrity is completely out of his comfort … Continue reading “You Can Do This” →

Most parents have heard the question “are we there yet”…… often 10 minutes into a 10 hour car trip. How often have we heard or even asked questions that really are not relevant, frivolous, or even idle .… not worth asking.  Jesus heard plenty of these kinds of questions and never seemed to respond to … Continue reading “Idle Questions” →

“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”  I can buy a nice Michael Jordan jersey, but after a few shots people will probably figure out that I’m not Mike….. I may “want to be like Mike, but I’m not”. Another way to say this is “you … Continue reading “What We Love, We Shall Grow To Resemble” →

Originally Posted May 19, 2021 “I’m putting my money where my mouth is ……. I’m serious about what I’m saying and I’m willing to wage real money to show you”. The size of the bet can indicate how serious I am.  " All In " In reading about saintly men and women who served the … Continue reading ‘FINISHING STRONG” →

Originally Posted May 18, 2021 In the movie “Chariots of Fire”, Eric Liddell is talking to his father Reverend J.D. Liddell who says,  “Eric, you are the proud possessor of many gifts. It is your sacred duty to put them to good use. Don't compromise. Compromise is the language of the devil. Run in God's name, and … Continue reading “Compromise, The Language Of The Devil” →

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go forth to battle, …. David remained at Jerusalem.” (2Sam. 11:1) This seemingly insignificant line in the scripture describes the first step by King David that led to a great disaster.  David’s duty was to be with his army and yet he decided to stay … Continue reading Let’s Do Our Duty, Even If Tough →