I recently "connected" with Debra Laaser on linkedin.  In doing so I learned that she and her late husband, Mark, had worked together, for over thirty years, developing the Faithful and True ministries which provides services especially for those struggling with sexual addiction.  (You can read more about their ministry at:  www.faithfulandtrue.com.).  Their services include:  counseling, workshops, articles, podcasts, blog posts, and books.  They have a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to assisting  individuals and couples in their struggle with sexual addiction.  I believe most are aware that the need for these kind of professional services  is rapidly growing...

Last week I received a call from my wife.  While driving at night she had run into a curb and ruined her driver-side front tire and rim.  Fortunately neither she, nor my daughter who was with her, were injured in the accident.  I was only about two miles away from where the accident occurred so I went there immediately to assist her.  Unfortunately, it was already dark, and since I had never changed a tire on her Toyota Camry, I was "in the dark" about the spare, tire tool, jack, etc.  After a bit of searching I found the needed tools and proceeded to get down on the ground to try to figure out where, underneath the car, the jack needed to be placed.  I then proceeded to try to "jack up" the car using a flimsy tire tool that looked like something one would get out of a crackerjacks box.  My anxiety began to grow as I realized that this may be a difficult task for me.   It was right about then that a 'good samaritan, showed up...

Long election lines are being reported across our country today.  This was certainly true of my polling place as I went to vote early this morning.  It took a while to finally vote and I really didn't enjoy standing outside in the cold.  But, this is a good thing because it shows that many, throughout our land, are exercising and enjoying this wonderful privilege that comes with citizenship.  Sometimes I think we need to be reminded of the tremendous blessing that is ours through our right to vote...

One of the things I love about living in Oklahoma is that we, for the most part, get to experience four distinct seasons.  I will admit that Winter has been sort of "light" for the past couple of years; still you can tell that it's not Summer, Fall, or Spring.  With each new season, activities change; so do the scenes of nature that surround us.  It is a reminder that life is ever changing and that each season of life is a opportunity to know God, our self, and others in new and deeper ways...

October is Clergy Appreciation month and I write this post simply to encourage everyone to share a word of appreciation with their pastor, priest, bishop, rabbi, or spiritual guide.  Now I make this request with reluctance because I am a pastor who is presently in my 44th year of pastoral ministry and I don't want to give the impression that I am simply seeking "pats on the back" for my years of service.  To the contrary, I am very blessed in that I receive  wonderful (and ongoing) words of appreciation from the members of the congregation I serve.  However, I recently had an "eye opening' conversation with a number of clergy that prompted me to encourage others not to let Clergy Appreciation Month go uncelebrated....

Last night I watched the first Presidential Debate.  Though I definitely have a preference in the race I will have to say that the debate was anything but "presidential."  Both candidates interrupted, attempted to "talk over" their opponent, and stooped to allegations and name calling.  In short, I thought the true looser was the American people.  But, it is not really politics that I want to focus on; rather it is the tension between substance and style in communication...

I greatly enjoyed our recent family trip to the aquarium.  I've been there before but since we only go every two years or so I always find the exhibits to be extremely fascinating.  As a "land dweller" and one who does not snorkel or scuba dive, it is easy for me to be generally unaware of what lies "under the surface" in the vast world we know as the ocean.   Yet that is where so much of the life on our planet exists; generally unseen and in many ways ignored.

The human mind heart are a lot like this.  We are all very aware of the thoughts that dwell (sometimes plague) our consciousness.  Our behaviors can be seen by all; our words can be heard, our thoughts constantly clamor for our attention.  But we all know that there is much more to "us" than what is seen or heard or even the thoughts of which we are aware.  So much of who we are, in reality, lies below the surface....

Recently, while taking a week of vacation, my wife, daughter, and I tried our hand at miniature golf.  Miniature golf is usually a part of our activities while on vacation in Colorado; so, having decided to stay in Oklahoma this year (due to covid-19), we wanted to include this in our week of "at home" activity together.  We played at a very nice miniature golf course in Tulsa.  It had lots of fun "twists," "turns," and "obstacles."  From a competition stand point we didn't do very well.  But we did, at least, have fun.  But in addition to our personal golfing experience, we also had fun watching and visiting with other families.

One of the families, that was just ahead of us, included:  parents, three children, and a grandmother, (whom I'm guessing might have been in her late 70's or early 80's), who was doing very well.  That is, until she came to hole 11 which started off with a significantly steep sloop and a dramatic turn to the left.  The slope was so steep that when I had my turn I had to "tee off" three times just to get my ball up the hill.  It was no wonder "grandma" was having so much difficult getting her ball to the top.  Every time she hit it, the ball would roll half way up then come rolling down again.  But then something wonderful happened...

Recently our grandsons, Andy & Sam, came to spend the week with us and my wife had a host of activities planned that they could enjoy together.  One of these was making "stepping stones."  These stones are made by mixing concrete and pouring it into a plastic cast; then decorating it with marbles, colorful stones, and "meaningful words."  

Making stepping stones is not a new activity for our family.  In fact, my wife did this very same activity with our children when they were young and we still have one of the stones (made for their mamma-d and D-dad) in our garden.

It is amazing to me how the words of Psalm 42 speak, with such relevance, to us today.  The number of new cases of depression is skyrocketing.  Loss of jobs, loss of income, and loss of social interaction are just some of the reasons why many are moving from discouragement, to depression, to despair.  The American Pediatrics Association has raised concern and says that the increased level of family stress coupled with the interruption of regular routine (scouts, little league base ball, family vacations, etc.) is taking a toll on the children of our country.   A friend of mine, who is a therapist with one of the larger Christian Counseling centers in Tulsa, told me in the past thirty days they have had over 100 new client intakes, mostly dealing with depression, substance abuse, family stress and violence.  I believe that the words of the Psalmist (identified as the Sons of Korah) in Psalm 42 are words we need to hear...