Inspiration

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In memory to a

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Veterans Day this year falls on Monday, November 11th. On Veterans Day, Americans remember the sacrifices that millions of American vets have made through the almost 250 years that the United States has enjoyed freedom and independence. For many families, Veterans Day is a grim reminder of their personal loss; a father, a husband, a son (or a daughter.) On Saturday, November 23rd, only several days before Thanksgiving, the Kohler family will observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of a very personal...

Carpet theology

CARPET THEOLOGY

Many of us have rugs at home, perhaps in our living room or under our dining table.  Most of us know that the best and therefore the most expensive rugs in the world come from Persia (Iran.) For example, ten years ago, a rug formerly owned by a one-time U.S. Senator and known as the Clark-Sickle carpet, earned the distinction of being the most expensive carpet in the world.  According to the BBC, the rug: Today, thanks to AI and other innovations,...

Synchronicity

SYNCHRONICITY

The feature photo (above) is an AI generated image of the Tree of Life which existed in the Garden of Eden but no longer exists in the world, though God promises to restore it at the end of the age. It shows something that existed at the beginning of life on this planet and which will be restored at the very end when the curse is lifted once and for all. The word “synchronicity” was used and defined by Carl Jung as”...

Blank verse

BLANK VERSE

Deena and I first met online about eight months after my wife died. After a few weeks of trading messages, Deena invited me to meet her on a Saturday afternoon for an Oktoberfest festival in McKinney, TX. We spend four or five hours talking, listening to the music and watching people drift by. Afterwards, we had a wonderful dinner at Deena’s favorite restaurant, Mio Nonno, in Allen. The following Saturday, it rained and we watched videos all day. By then,...

The Boat

THE BOAT

There once was a young boy who decided that he wanted to build a toy boat.  He very carefully drew his plans, found the best wood available, and cut, sanded and painted the boat.  He added a sail and when he was done, he was very happy with the boat he had made. He took it to the lake near his house the first chance he had, and carefully laid it in the water.  Soon, a breeze picked up and the boat started...

Enfants de Dieu

ENFANTS DE DIEU

Let me begin this essay by asking questions of the reader. Of the following groups in our society, which of the following would you think were most likely to be happy with their lives; happy with who they are; happy with their appearance; their love for family, siblings; and their ability to make new friends? Your choices of groups are lottery jackpot winners; teenagers; successful single adults 21-35; couples with one child only; church going couples with more than three...

Ubuntu--community

UBUNTU

I subscribe to Quora, and I receive daily posts in those areas that I find interesting.  Today, I received a post from a contributor named Sajeev Rajan that I found positively inspirational and of value to our society (and Church) today.  While I understand that Quora allows the literal reproduction of posts in their Terms of Use, I will paraphrase it out of an abundance of caution and with thanks to Sajeev for passing this on.  And nor can I vouch for the...

All I've done and all I still hope to do.

WELCOME TO WATCH-FIRE

This blog contains reflections on my life: All I’ve done and all I still hope to do. I’ve had two successful careers and I’m working full time in yet a third field. During the past decades, I’ve met many different people from around the world and have enjoyed more than my share of rich and rewarding experiences. Yet, as much as I enjoy reminiscing over the past, I also anticipate better times for myself, my family and the people of...

Don't Wait for Heroes. Spider man

DON’T WAIT FOR HEROES

I remember accompanying some of my grandchildren to a Spiderman movie. There were several hundred youngsters sitting in awe of Spidey.  Waiting for the movie to begin, they chattered excitedly about their favorite episode. Finally, the movie began. They followed every move of their hero with their complete attention, admiration and devotion.  You could look at their faces and tell what was in their hearts:  They wanted to be a superhero too, someday. But they don’t have to wait for heroes to make...

Doorway to other worlds

TENNYSON ON RESTLESS HEARTS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

“The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep  Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends, ​ ‘T is not too late to seek a newer world. ​ Push off, and sitting well in order smite  The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths ​ Of all the western stars, until I die. ​ It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:  It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great...

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