Thursday, April 9, 2009

When you think of Easter, do you find yourself thinking more about the cross or the empty tomb this week? Is it the resurrection or the passion and suffering that commands your attention? Last week I celebrated communion with some friends at a mountain retreat. We watched scenes from The Passion of the Christ before we took the elements, and many were crying as they watched Jesus suffering. The cross is a significant part of Christianity, but so is the tomb ...
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Friday, April 3, 2009

Have you ever played a joke on someone only to have it backfire? This week we celebrated April Fool's Day, and I hope you took advantage of it. I really enjoy a good prank. It can be either a simple one like swapping house numbers, or a complex, well thought out plan demanding precise timing and flawless execution ...
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Friday, March 27, 2009

I live in what's fondly known as the salad bowl of the United States, California's Central Valley. Every day I drive past citrus and nut orchards, vineyards and dairies. All of this is overshadowed by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.When spring bursts upon us, I get excited about planting flowers and vegetables ...
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Thursday, March 19, 2009

"Are you on Facebook?" That’s a very common question these days. We ask friends at church, people we work with, and family members to "friend"” us so we can see each other’s Facebook pages. From there, we can write on someone’s wall, tag them in a picture, take a quiz to discover our personality type, and even poke someone thousands of miles away.Like most social media platforms, it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends you don’t see often ...
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Friday, March 13, 2009

Do you enjoy "reality television?" I do. I denied it for a long time, but I can't any longer. Many of my favorites are on the HGTV and Food Network channels ...
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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Do you have special springtime rituals? (Other than deep-cleaning your home, that is.) My aunt and uncle have a spring tradition: they drive through the back roads of Texas to see the wildflowers in bloom. Early in February, they take some friends and drive a well-known path to enjoy the beauty of creation. If you’ve never seen Texas hills covered in brilliant colors in early spring, you’re missing something!Last weekend I followed my aunt and uncle’s example ...
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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Do you ever watch the Oscars® and wonder, "What were they thinking?" as the winners are announced? Or do your selections usually line up with the voters? I was thrilled that Slumdog Millionaire won eight of the 10 awards it was nominated for. Even though it was an audience favorite going in, it didn’t fit the usual mold of Best Picture winners.It’s set in India, normally known for "Bollywood" films. All of the actors are Indian, and none were nominated for Academy® Awards ...
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Friday, February 20, 2009

When does the past become history? Is it a matter of time or distance? We often hear the phrases “It’s history” or “That’s so yesterday!” I wonder where’s the tipping point at which it becomes something to be written about and studied?News today is instantly created, reported and analyzed because a large percentage of the world’s population has instant access to information from around the globe. History is no longer reserved for textbooks and the academic elite. Anyone with a blog can instantly publish their interpretation and thoughts about current events.Imagine George Washington at the Potomac River with a blogger in his boat, analyzing and second-guessing his every decision ...
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Thursday, February 12, 2009

You can taste the difference between Hershey’s Kisses and Hershey’s Chocolate bars. You can smell the difference between white, milk and dark chocolate. You know the percentage of cocoa solids in semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate ...
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Friday, February 6, 2009

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Have you picked out cards yet? Remember picking out a box of Valentine's cards to give to your friends at school? Should you get Snoopy cards or Sesame Street cards? Do you buy conversation hearts or little chocolates to go with the cards?Now when I pick out cards, I'm a little choosier. I don't look for the best cartoons, but the cards that best fit my friends ...
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