It had been a busy morning and an even busier week and there was a great deal to think about last Friday. In the meantime, I decided to take a break and go to the supermarket to pick up a few things needed for the evening meal. So it was that I traveled to the Publix at Thomas Crossroads near Newnan.

It wasn’t long before I became frustrated. “Why can’t they leave things well enough alone?” I thought. About the time I know where everything is, someone decides to remodel the store and everything gets relocated. Read More»

A few days ago, I was riding my motorcycle when a lady in an approaching car flashed her lights at me.

I assume she did this for one of three reasons: (1) She was flirting (Okay, not very likely).

(2) She was warning me about a speed trap (more probable than #1 but it turned out not to be the reason).

Or (3) my lights were on bright and she was irritated at me for not dimming the bike’s lights.

If it was the last reason, she was correct. Yes, I had my lights on bright and, no, I did not dim them. Nor will I. Read More»

Recently, many of the news media have focused on the problem with bullies in school and how to deal with the problem. It’s about time.

The neighborhood where I grew up could be rough. Not so much the street on which I lived but, if one ventured too far, there could be problems. Read More»

I am a sacramentalist. I view life as a continuing sacrament and I have a sacramental world view. What is a sacrament?

According to the Catholic Church, “Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification” (Catechismus concil. Trident., n. 4, ex St. Augustine, “De Catechizandis rudibus”).

Allow me to simplify that definition. I believe that a sacrament is when “The Divine touches the Common and the result is something holy and/or mysterious.” Read More»

I was frantically looking for a document the other day so I could finish my taxes. I began in the master bedroom, moved to the kitchen where papers are sometimes piled up, and then went on to the home office. After cleaning off two desks and the top of a filing cabinet, I began to clean out a box. I didn’t find the document but I did discover three unopened envelopes that contained offering checks to our church—dated July 2011. Oops. Read More»

This coming Good Friday, April 6, will mark the 31st Annual Community Good Friday Service in Peachtree City.

It is not unusual for churches to celebrate Good Friday. It is not rare for a few churches, usually of like or similar theology, to combine for a Good Friday observance.

It is very unusual, however, for very diverse churches to meet together year after year for over three decades. A wonderful anomaly will take place once again next Friday. Read More»

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of books on leadership. While I make no claim to be an expert on the subject, I have had the opportunity to serve in various positions of leadership over the years.

To those who aspire to be leaders, I submit the following as necessary essentials:

1. Understand and submit to authority. Authority is everywhere. It cannot be avoided. It cannot be ignored. Authority is present in the family, schools, places of employment, the church, the government, the military, society, and in nearly every organization. Read More»

“A Marine is a Marine ... there’s no such thing as a former Marine. You’re a Marine, just in a different uniform and you’re in a different phase of your life. But you’ll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico.” – Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos

Anyone who doubts that statement only need visit the monthly meeting of the Clyde Thomason Detachment #1325 of the Marine Corps League that serves Coweta and Fayette counties. Read More»

While attending a meeting in Orlando a few days ago, one of the speakers used the term, “sponge people.” I had never heard the term before.

He went on to explain that sponge people are those who get close to you and then suck and drain all the life out of you. Like sponges, they absorb whatever you have in you without giving anything back.

The meeting consisted primarily of pastors and I saw nods of recognition and agreement all over the room. Read More»

I spent several days this past week with a few good men.

No, it wasn’t a Marine Corps reunion, although the men I shared a week with have many of the qualities and characteristics of Marines I have known.

No, this was a gathering of priests who serve as pastors and who came to Orlando for a church growth conference. But these were not just any kind of pastors and this was not just any kind of conference. Read More»