My Back 9

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 ...

“ A revelation is not made for the purpose of showing to indolent men that which, by faculties already given to themselves; no; but for the purpose of showing that which the moral darkness of man will not, without supernatural light, allow him to perceive.”                                                                                                                         Thomas De Quincy Gre...

Now that I am a Christian and attempting to live my life in a different manner, I am fascinated by the amount of alternative opinions that exists regarding faith, religion, and particularly Heaven; who gets in and who doesn’t.   It seems to me that most people don’t truly spend the necessary time investigating this component of their lives, and that their conclusions come more from a lack of passion and/or diligence for the truth rather than the actual knowledge associated with learning of and knowing the truth.   Of course, the very question and source of truth can be the fulcrum whereby the balance shifts from one side or the other.   Just take a look at what Jesus says about truth in the book of John: John 8:31-32 … So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This will be the tone and tenner of my message today; an attempt to sim...