Author Archives: 2nd Cup of Coffee
Granger: THE NEW GUY LIES, TOO – 6/7/18
His name was “Doc”. At least, that’s what his nametag read. Since Jimmie’s is a 50’s-style diner, the décor reflects that, and the servers all wear that period of dress: poodle skirts, bobby socks and big hair bows for the women, slacks, white shirts, bowties and soda jerk hats for the guys. I don’t know what … Continue reading
2nd Cup of Coffee, May 17, 2018: WHERE HAVE ALL THE SHOWERS GONE?
I don’t remember that first shower of married life, that cloudy Portland morning of May 18, 1974. Irish Spring? Probably. I’d bunked with Dad and Mom, and that was Dad’s go-to soap for as long as I can recall. I think he got some kind of reward for having bought so many bars of it. … Continue reading
2nd Cup of Coffee for 5/10/18: YES, THE MAMA!
I knew I had just written history’s all-time, lifetime-achievement Mother’s Day message. No new pastor before or since had ever shown such sparkling wit and penetrating insight. I knew every other pastor would read my work and lower his eyes in blushing shame. I knew publishers would be lined up at my door, begging for just one more … Continue reading
Granger – 4/24/18: YOU GONNA EAT ALL THAT?
“What on Earth is THAT mess?” Sparks always was such a sensitive soul. His six-three frame let him peer over my back gate. “Okay to enter? I didn’t want to be one of Biff’s snacks.” I interrupted typing ideas into my laptop long enough to cast a droll look at him. It would’ve qualified as … Continue reading
2nd Cup of Coffee for 4/16/18: MIGHT AS WELL FAITH THE FACTS
It is a thing of pleasure to listen to a masterful communicator. Our lead pastor is one. Yesterday morning’s message was a piece of a series, the theme of which is seeing Jesus for who He is, and working to follow in that understanding as authentically as possible. Studying in Luke 18, Pastor Brent ended … Continue reading
2nd Cup of Coffee, 4/12/18: IF THE GLOVE FITS
I was tired to begin with, so when I got Mom’s call I wasn’t very gracious. “You want to what? Today?” She’d been putting off going through my step-dad’s stuff, and I guess I’d gotten used to her kicking that particular cannister down the road. “I know, honey. It’s just that I’ve been delaying this … Continue reading
QTM for 4/11/18: 4 STEPS TO REAL, LIVE QUIET TIME OF YOUR OWN!
“What?” “Nothin’.” “No, really. I’ve been blathering on as if. Shutting up now, and listening. Can you help me understand what’s troubling you?” After a few seminal seconds, packed with meaning like a loaded baked potato, the startling answer came. “I, uh, don’t know how to do quiet time. I-un even know for sure … Continue reading
Granger: A CROSS-EYED LOOK AT THE WHOLE EASTER THING – 3/31/18
That early in the morning, I knew Jimmie’s Diner would be almost empty. That worked for me. I was in a mood. And I was almost right. Other than the cook in back, Peggy Sue was by herself. Solitude must be a comfortable friend if one intends to write. I enjoyed the closeness of the friends … Continue reading
QTMs for Good Friday, 3/30/18: HANG IT ON THE CROSS
There was nothing more hideous and embarrassing than dying on a Roman cross. It’s natural to associate it with all the despair and ugliness surrounding the event of Jesus’s crucifixion. I submit the Cross of Christ as God’s ultimate symbol of love for me. I couldn’t free myself from my habits, my hatreds, my favorite … Continue reading
2nd Cup of Coffee, 3/27/18: THE WISDOM OF THE WABBIT
Good morning, coffee lover friends. After some frustrating internet issues, here’s your 2nd Cup, fresh-ground and served up piping hot. The cream and fixin’s are right over there. I found this set of fun things on a friend’s site this morning, and it’s catchy enough I want to share it with you. It’s patterned after … Continue reading