Growth is the name of the processes that are at work in a living thing that sustains it’s life. Many of those processes are out of sight like the act of producing chlorophyl that a plant does. Or the movement of oxygen in blood to the far reaches of a body.
Continue reading GrowthDreamer: the Story of Joseph
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and he was born into a family stressed by favoritism, intrigue, and competition. Joseph was also the favorite son of Jacob because he was the first son born to Rachel, Jacob’s second but favorite wife. Therein lies the problem.
Continue reading Dreamer: the Story of JosephPriorities
In 1989 I bought a copy of Richard Nelson Bolles best selling book, “What Color Is Your Parachute?” I know it was 1989 because each year a new edition is published.
Continue reading PrioritiesOpen Those Wallets
Organizations doing good work for disenfranchised, sick, homeless, and hungry people are worthy of our thanks and our generosity through a partnership defined by our desire to help. Thanksgiving/Christmas is typically the time of year when folks start thinking about this and giving increases.
Continue reading Open Those WalletsResignation
I can only imbibe a certain amount of television “news,” especially the kind that daily serves up the same brew even though it is poured out in different kinds of cups. After I got over the novelty of the “Yellowstone” mug and the “I’m allergic to morning mug,” I realized it was still the same drink every time.
I discovered that the monotonous diet was producing in me a huge sense of despondency and resignation. Hopelessness even.
Continue reading ResignationParsimony
You don’t hear that word much anymore – parsimony. It can mean frugal, but this is extreme. It is penny pinching, Scrooge-like behavior. It can also mean stingy. Hardhearted. Meanness or tightness.
Continue reading ParsimonyDiscovering Emotional Intelligence
“Emotional intelligence” (or EI) is an idea that has been around since 1964 but it has been on the radar of psychologists and book writers since 1995. This was the date that Daniel Goleman released his best seller by the same name.
Continue reading Discovering Emotional IntelligenceGod’s Work
James Weldon Johnson was a writer, poet, and social advocate. He joined the NAACP in 1917 and later rose to leadership in the organization. Johnson is also famous for creating the Negro Spiritual called The Creation.
Continue reading God’s WorkPart-time – A Poem
Imagine a part-time Antioch Church
Showing up every other week
Saying to Paul, “knock yourself out”
“We’re with you in thought.”
Some in the Hebrews church were afraid
Dropping out of church life
Never considering how their fear might spread
Causing Indolence and retreat
Discernment
The essential human condition is rooted in being placed before a choice. The classic biblical story of this choice is found in the account of Adam and Eve and their encounter with the command of God to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Continue reading Discernment