Monthly Archives: February 2016
QTMs for 2/27/16: I BELIEVE. . .
Good morning, friend. I’ve had this ready for a few days, but felt I should wait. This morning I sensed it was time to pass it along to you. Have a seat. Relax with me over a hot cup of joe . . . And read this slowly. I Believe… That just because two … Continue reading
QTMs for 2/21/16: I DIDN’T COME THIS FAR TO JUST COME THIS FAR
Don’t you just love people who look at the part of you most visible to them, and decide from that partial view that they know you – and set out to direct your living from then on? And isn’t it telling that the majority of them tend to have made a spectacular hash of their own lives? We … Continue reading
QTMs for 2/18/16: A “Hole-In-The-Soul” Cost
When you want something so fervently that you’ll destroy a close friend’s reputation to get it, you can’t afford it. Are you willing to do anything to win, to get your way, to cover up, bluster, gossip or lie your way out of or beyond your words and actions? That disqualifies you. In the South … Continue reading
QTMs for 2/16/16: HAVE THE COURAGE. . .
John Wayne once defined courage as being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. Another anonymous writer said courage is faith that has said its prayers. There is nothing noteworthy about speaking brave, penetrating words when most agree with them. To speak brave, penetrating words when virtually nobody wants to be associated with you is to … Continue reading
ARE YOU UP TO IT?
I know how it is. Outwardly, you’re calm and secure in your maturity. “I’m cool. 70 is the new 40.” Inside, there’s the niggling, irritating question: “Am I losing my edge? Forgetting. . . forgetting—whatever I was going to write here.” Well, one of you just sent this and it’s worth passing along. Take the … Continue reading
QTMs for Lent ’16, Day 2: I’M GIVING UP NOTHING
I choose to give up nothing for Lent for the same reason I choose not to go on a diet. The underlying rationale for going on a diet is that the whole project is temporary. As in, “I intend to lose ___ pounds. And, whoa buddy, when I do, I’m going to celebrate with a … Continue reading
QTMs for LENT Day 1: LIFE
God didn’t owe me the right to be born into this life. He lent this one-of-its-kind, never-to-be-replicated earthly life to me, and I have no reason to see it as anything but a gift of God’s grace. I did nothing to earn this gift of life. Anything thus far that I’ve been able to accomplish … Continue reading
Ed. Note: Remember “ALL LOST”?
On January 23, I sent out an urgent request for help. An old friend and USAF comrade-in-arms had his house burn completely down, losing everything he owned. I asked all who felt led to consider sending whatever help possible via money order, and that the address would be forthcoming. I received it just after sending … Continue reading
QTMs for 2/9/16: JUST A LITTLE REASSURANCE
“Daddy?” “Yes, son?” “Can I have a drink of water?” Third rescue mission so far tonight. He was exhausted from handling an increased work load because the company had to lay off two more necessary employees. Four year olds don’t get the finer points of such things, however. He could tell his son was bugged … Continue reading
QTMs for 2/3/16: DODGING THE GIANTS
The famous theologian Ernest Hemingway said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” So I do. I sit down at my keyboard, day after day, struggling to bleed onto the page – okay, monitor screen – in such a way that you get where I’ve been, … Continue reading