Handfuls of Doxology

  *If you're new here and aren't familiar with me, or our story, I think it's important that I make a critical disclaimer here: "The only thing in this life that I am owed or deserve is the full wrath of God's judgment. Because of Christ, I don't have to. Anything beyond that is astonishing. Redeeming love has been my theme, and will be till I die. To follow Him and be called in Christ to serve is my greatest and only joy. This is not a bitter diatribe about "church members" or another blog from a depressed and overworked preacher on the brink. This is just about finding my place in Him, today where I am.

  A certain stench accompanies a post like this. Smells  like hypocrisy mixed with irony. I get it. In fact, that is why I am pointing it out, right upfront. I promise that the fact I am writing a blog, on my personal blog, to then share on my various social media platforms is not lost from my view. If you're new here, this blog exists for a few simple reasons. For example, I often have thoughts that, hopefully after much prayer, I really want or need to, sort of, work out. I have found that a great place to do that is on the page. Writing has many benefits, and for me, clearing my head is only one of them. Another reason for the blog is that I really do want to get better at writing. I write every single day. Whether in sermon preparation, journaling, in correspondence, or for some other reason, I am writing something, at length daily. I want to be better. This is a great way to do that.  Most of all, as I shared with my wife after she repeatedly asked me to come back to this proc

DISCLAIMER: I know nothing about the winners, losers, or Oscar himself. Had Will Smith not slapped Chris Rock, I would have never known it is still a thing. Therefore, no commentary or opinions will be offered to the awards themselves. I barely have time to watch tv, so movies are a rare treat. Whenever I do, my commentary is always golden, and seldom appreciated. Much like my blogs.  Like everyone else on the internet, I have two things in my favor. First, I am fully aware of the "incident" and the details surrounding it. Second, I have the ability to share my thoughts regardless of my qualifications.  So, can we talk about The Oscars?   Specifically, let's talk about the crushing weight of life and the consequences of a life lived for your own glory. If that turn surprised you, know that I meant for it to do so. Clever, huh? I actually worked on that sentence really hard. There is no way to encapsulate all of the issues going on in a single sentence. Especially consider

  Dear Squirrel, I have always warned you that once something is put on the internet, it's out there forever. Yet, I failed to warn you that sometimes the internet reminds you of what you've put on the web. Daily. It will remind you daily.  I will say, it's not always a bad thing. Sometimes your digital imprint has memories of precious moments and solid status updates. Other times it's like a punch in the gut. It may be something you wore, something you said, or some other regretful update. Most of the time, it is simply the deafening sound of time marching on, at an incredible pace. Things that happened last week are actually things that happened 15 years ago. Some days it is uncut digital depression, and for some reason, we come back day after day. Days like today, for example.  This morning seemed no different than any other until the internet's memories began dropping on us.  I had just dropped you off at high school . We left a little early because you wanted t

  "Ere I was old? Ah woful Ere, Which tells me, Youth’s no longer here! O Youth! for years so many and sweet, ’Tis known, that Thou and I were one, I’ll think it but a fond conceit— It cannot be that Thou art gone!"  From "Youth and Age" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

  In 1788 a Scottsman by the name of Robert Burns penned the words to a simple poem after a night out with an old friend. Burns scribbled the brief but sincere words down in response to his own questions and thoughts. I've often wondered if Robert Burns ever dreamed that 232 years after he wrote “Auld Lang Syne” people all over the world would sing, slur, mime, and mumble through his heartfelt lyrics. We all know the tune even if we don’t know all of the lyrics. Sidenote; you can brag at this year’s New Year celebration that you in fact dabble in 18th Century Traditional Folk Melodies. Now, back to the lyrics that no one really seems to know. Robert Burns’ original lyrics have been changed and translated several times from his original poem, but the idea and sentiment remain the same. The Scots title, "Ald Lang Syne", can be translated in English to “old long since” or even “long, long ago”. In Burns’ original poem, it loosely translates “for the sake of old times”