My Back 9

Greetings to all my friends and colleagues.  It’s been quite some time since I picked up the pen to write, but the combination of a fantastic book I just read and an extended business trip has my mind racing with an abundance of provocative thought.  To get this out of my head; the pen has awoken, so here I go again.  I hope you can find meaning in my words.  The book recommendation, The Soul of Shame , by Curt Thompson; came from an old friend I hadn’t spoken with in many years.  We were deep in conversation about what has transpired in our lives in recent years, and this person had the presence of mind to recommended a piece of literature that has resonated with me deeply.  I didn’t realize just how deeply until I attached what I just learned about myself through reading the book with how I reacted in a very busy and public setting during my recent business trip.  Reading these words seemed to have lifted some hidden baggage buried de...

Last night I went to see the movie, The Shack .   What an incredible story about a man who gets an unexpected invitation followed by the treasure of meeting the Triune God ( Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ) to help heal a seemingly unhealable wound suffered through a tragedy with one of his children.   As a parent, the unspeakable horror that he goes through will shake you to the core.   But the healing process that takes place through these three incredible relationships is simply amazing.   Do yourself a favor, read this book and go see this movie.   I read the book three times.   For those who are rigidly tied to Scripture reference from the Bible, I will warn you now, there are some inconsistencies.   But my suggestion is that you not let that get in the way of a fantastic journey full of pain, suffering, healing, understanding and love.   I wrote about this book early on in my blogging years; if you have interest in reading more about that ...

It’s been quite some time since I’ve written, but as I was thumbing through the litany of Thanksgiving messages on FB this morning I was hit with another jolt of inspiration; which has drawn me back to the pen.   The Holidays are typically an enormous challenge for me, as I imagine they are for many folks out there who live each day with regret.   Some people seem to be much better at moving forward than others, but for some reason the entire Holiday season ( starting with Halloween ) smacks me in the face each year.   My prayer this morning is that I can break the chains of regret this year and gear up for an incredible 2017.   If you are struggling with regret and the accompanied emotional pain on this day; then I extend my prayer to you as well. I’ve been thinking about the notion of living with regret with several weeks now and I have been wanted to write about it, but for some reason I couldn’t unlock the door.   The words just haven’t been there, b...

The words I’m about to pen have been marinating inside my brain for quite some time, and the overwhelming opinions and “ noise ” that have surrounded these recent acts of violence in our country have finally lead me to the point of action through writing.   Like most people, I certainly have my own views and opinions on these matters; but my choice today is to attempt to serve up some food for thought that can potentially transcend our own individual opinions on such matters and perhaps lend itself to a movement toward an actual solution.   Not a permanent solution, but maybe a way through to understanding and hope for our future and a gateway to the type of world we would all like to see for our children and grandchildren.   I took my oldest son to Special Olympics yesterday.   While I sat and watched him and these other special needs children swim and enjoy their time, this topic of identity kept swirling around in my head.   The pure joy of their experi...

This morning during my quiet time I was reading in the book of Acts about the life and trials of Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus. As I read through the plight of his rebellious earlier days I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace knowing the end of the story, and how he was eventually transformed through the power and grace of Christ on Damascus road. It really got me thinking about the amazing power of restoration and the fact that it’s never too much and it’s never too late; regardless of the severity and/or longevity of our past indiscretions.   I have been very encouraged over the last several weeks and seem to have regained some spiritual “ mojo ” that has been missing in my life for the better part of seven or eight months.   I have recently dusted off the new book that I wrote a while back ( Restoration by Waters Edge ) and have sent it to an editor to restart the process of getting it published. You see, I was feeling unworthy of publishing a Christian poetry b...

Last evening I attended a business dinner with some colleagues and customers in Amelia Island, FL.   It was an enjoyable dinner, the food was great and I truly love meeting and connecting with people I’ve not met before.   Deep inside I am a very social person, but also have a tendency to isolate; and I’m constantly rewarded when I step out and attend one of these events.   Something very interesting happened to me as I was listening to the multiple conversations that were going around the dinner table.   I noticed that everyone in attendance was either married or coupled up with another person.   There was even one customer who brought along his wife, which I have always thought was a good idea when the invitation allows for it.   There was only one exception to the folks that were coupled up, and that was me.   On my drive home I was contemplating this notion very deeply, and started running many scenarios through my mind that will most likely end ...