Back in 1968 when I was in Vietnam K.I.A. was the acronym for men Killed In Action. In Washington, DC the Vietnam Wall was built to honor all those persons who were Killed In Action in Vietnam. I finally made my trip to the Wall in 2010. Needless to say, it was a moving experience.

K.I.A. is not something you wanted attached to your name. It is therefore amazing that I own two Kia automobiles. I never put the two KIA’s together until I heard that Charles Parker had died.

For Charles though, there needs to be some re-thinking of the KIA acronym. Instead of being Killed in Action for Charles it would be KINDNESS IN ACTION. From the first moment I met Charles and Dorothy I knew I was in the presence of a couple of very special people. Their love for each other, their respect of others, their kindness just warmed your heart. When I would see them – no matter where – they would bring a smile to my face and a feeling of love and grace seemed to pour all over me.

As I recall my time at Pine Grove, I remember Charles and Dorothy among the people I call the fabulous fifty – those people you could always count on no matter what. They gave themselves to the Lord through faithful service in the church and community. Even as Charles was being overtaken by his Parkinson and as Dorothy’s caregiving love increased its demands, they still remained positive, loving and kind.

Imagine not a Vietnam Wall but a Kindness In Action Wall out in the parking lot – running from end to end – filled with the names of those people who were God’s expressions of Kindness In Action – all those people who have lived and served in this place since its beginnings. I know many of the names on that wall who were the Church living out the grace of Jesus in all the moments of their lives. Among those names most certainly would be Charles D. Parker.

Thank you Dorothy and Charles for your beautiful expressions of the love of Christ through your faithfulness and your Kindness In Action.

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Presidential Debate???

Last night I sorta watched (some of) this long, long line of people from the Republican party wanting to be president, try to put one another down – and get people to believe their agenda. It reminded me of the old argument amongst kids: “My dad can beat up your dad!”

I am not sure there is a need for thing named a debate anymore, certainly not with 11 people? What does it accomplish? Do we really learn about the candidate and what they really believe about the issues of the day and what it would take to become a good president? But I am a different sort of duck. I don’t like to hear or see arguments where candidates try to get one up over one another. When the so-called news programs get candidates to argue among one another, talk over one another, put one another down, and force on the people their talking points… when that stuff comes on I TURN THE CHANNEL.

I have always enjoyed the Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil PBS News Hour approach of news broadcasting – along with today’s Charlie Rose. They sit down with a person (candidate) and ask tough, thoughtful, meaningful, pertinent questions and allow – actually allow the person to answer unfettered by another candidate jumping up and down. I have always preferred the interview style of finding out about the candidate rather than the talk you down style (in which no one learns anything).

The CNN Morning shows were talking about who got in the best zingers – so it wasn’t about anything that matters to voters. They also brought in a so-called body language expert to strategize on what they thought the way a persons hands held the podium really meant… reported who has more Twitter followers this morning… and the control of Carly Fiorina of her face… are you kidding me???? CNN has chosen to predict this debate as Carly night – really!!! Didn’t see it. I will look to Charlie Rose for an unbiased approach to the news – which I believe is what a reporter should do. The questions this morning on the “News” programs (talking head shows) is who won the debate, who gain points, who looked better? Shouldn’t the question really be about the issues America is facing and how these people seek to meet the challenges????

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to listen to the plans a person has as they run for president kinda like the old FDR Fireside Chats or listen as a candidate answers tough questions without the threat of someone jumping down their throat. Now to be sure, there would be tough questions and accountability for answers given and records made… but all done with respect. This way we really find out more about the person and their plans to lead the country. The debate showed Carly Fiorinia as mean spirited as much as Donald Trump is out of control. The real losers last night were the American people. Other than Dr. Carson, the people of America were short-changed by a really badly performed “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

I hope we all will look past the “debate” to try to find out who these people really are and what they really believe… unless you want to elect someone on soundbites and gotcha moments.

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A few things on my mind I wanted to share with you today. This morning in church we learned that Becca, our pastor’s daughter, will be leaving tomorrow for a four month study in England. Wow, what a big step for her and a worry-filled time for any parent. I can’t imagine my child being that far away and I can’t get to them right away. This is one of those do you really trust God moments. Please remember them in your prayers.

The second is another prayer request: Dana was a little 8 year old girl diagnosed with cancer back when I was their pastor many years ago. She has fought this battle against cancer all the way through grade, high school and college. Now she is 27 and on the 15 of September will be heading for Boston for some new treatment. She has been at Duke working with their best people and now she goes to be with the best of Boston. Let’s all pray that this will be the wining plays for the battle against this cancer. Hang tough, Dana, we are all with you.

There are many others on our prayer list and on the prayer list of all churches who need us to be there with our thoughts, prayers and presence. Don’t forget them. Walk with them and hold them close. They need us and we need to participate in their journey. We are family and we all walk together.

Speaking of being family, I continue to hear of church families that are going through blow-ups, splits and just downright fighting. It really hurts my heart to know this goes on. When I was in ministry  gave the church I served everything I had to help the people know that there is only one side in the church, and that is God’s side. We pastors have to remind ourselves that we need to be on God’s side – not God on our side.

I found this sign on Facebook the other day and realized how much it applies to all of us, especially the church when we are going through difficult times. Have you ever thought about it this way?

BEFORE YOU SPEAK

THINK

T – Is it TRUE?

H – Is it HELPFUL?

I – Is it INSPIRING?

N – Is it NECESSARY?

K – Is it KIND?

I saw this and realized that I’ve needed this advice on occasion. There have been times when I just needed to keep my mouth closed and my thoughts to myself… I wasn’t helping anyone – not even the church.

If your church is going through some difficulty how about writing down this THINK poster and seek to practice it in every circumstances. I will be willing to bet that your church and your own life will begin to heal and come alive again.

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That’s right, today is my birthday. In chronological years I will be 68… born two months premature at good ole’ Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville, NC. Something didn’t go right with the birth… and I had to be rushed to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem to survive. Here is the part that is so amazing: My mother was sick during her pregnancy and was told by the doctors that if she didn’t have an abortion she would be sick the rest of her life. My mother, being the good ole’ Quaker she was, said, “No Way”! I was born with complications and she was indeed sick the rest of her life. I owe my life to her loving spirit.

There have been many life-changing events in my life which I refer to as “birth” days.

My next “birth” day was surviving two car wrecks: one when I was 15 and the other around 17. The first was as my brother and I were delivering the morning newspapers in Mayodan and Madison. We came around this gravel curve, lost traction and hit this big old tree head on. I was knocked out… kinda in and out in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and for a few days afterward. Not long after that the high school summer football practices began. I didn’t realize that I was still brain frazzled and got knocked out during practice. That was it for me. No more football. I am amazed that I had the good sense to say that was enough… but it probably kept me from having some permanent brain damage. The second wreck produced no other damage than a torn up monster of a cadillac which jumped a ditch and awarded me a ticket for an unsafe move.

My next “birth” day was 50 years ago… marrying my best friend Shirley Bruce. We celebrated 50 years on the 7th of August. It has been a very happy and fun-filled 50 years, and we know the next 50 will be even more so.

I celebrated a “birth” day on April 17, 1968 when I was barely wounded – Forrest Gump style – in Quang Tri, Vietnam, when seven rockets hit our tents around midnight. Many of our men didn’t make it that night. I was medevaced to Japan for a month and then back to Okinawa for two months, and then back to Camp Lejeune in early August 1968. I was very lucky to have made it back home alive with very little damage.

Ordination 1983

My next “birth” day celebration is when I entered the ministry back in June 1973… moving all the way to Associate to the Murphy Circuit. Those people were so gracious to accept this youngster as their trying-to-learn pastor. I thank them everyday for being so kind. I spent 40 years in the ministry and loved most of my time, learned a lot, met many saints of the church, and made many friends. Thanks to all of you for making room in your hearts for this young family.

Early in the morning on August 31, 1995 I woke up having a heart attack. Off to Randolph Hospital and then to Cone. Angioplasty that did not work, two weeks in the hospital and then by-pass surgery on September 15th, 1995. In about three days I will be 20 years old… living this new life of a heart patient. I had a stress test and an echo-cardiogram yesterday because of shortness of breath while walking a short distance. I will find out about that sometime this coming week. Due to some great nurses and doctors I have enjoyed 20 more years than I could have had they not been there and on top of their game.

I am now starting my third year in my new life called retirement. It, perhaps, has been the most difficult of all… a lot of emotional stuff as you moved from the needed to the not needed so much anymore, from the energetic to the lethargic, from the strong to the weaker… from the sharp minded to the forgetfulness of names, dates and places. As they say: “Getting old ain’t for wimps!”

In my retirement, perhaps to remain relevant to the world in some small way, I have written three books. This has taken a lot of time, been frustrating and rewarding. I never really imagined that I would be an author… so just maybe this birthday will prove to be one of the best.

Thanks for all your birthday wishes today and for the special way you have touched our lives throughout the years. You ARE VERY SPECIAL!!!

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My grandson is in the 8th grade this year. It is the second time he has gone out for a school sport where your skills determine whether you make the team or not. He made the track team last spring and gave it his best.

This year he made the soccer team. He has been playing soccer since he was four years old… back in the day when he was chasing butterflies and girls rather than paying attention to what was happening on the field. He has gotten better over the years as experience and desire help to build a better skill set.

This Summer he even played on a league in Randleman to help him with more experience.

Some kids, whose parents are loaded with money send their kids to these soccer leagues/ teams that cost 2 and 3 thousand dollars a year to play. They are taught not by the dad down the street who is giving his precious extra time to help kids have a team to play on. No, these elite kids are taught by soccer professionals – who teach them all the down and dirty about the game. These kids are aggressive, skilled at how to get the advantage (trip and push the other player) without getting caught.

Well, that was the team Noah played against tonight. And to add insult to injury, the officials seemed to call fouls on our team when the supposed offender was a yard or more away from the Academy Award winning player who fell (as if they were knocked to the ground). Noah’s team  lost 6 to 0 with broken spirits.

I really felt bad for them. But there was nothing I could do except hug Noah and let him know he played well – even if he didn’t win. I wanted to say something to the officials but that would not have been good. I wanted to say something to the lawyer looking guy (dad) from their team who sat near us in his Neiman-Marcus European fold up chair, but that would have been even worse. I know I would have lost my cool.

Life is not fair! Games are not fair! Officials don’t see it all and see it differently than we do. We have to learn to accept it for what it is and then move on. I am trying to do that now with the television screaming that stupid Tarheeeeeeeel noise in my ear. For a Duke fan that is not something I want to hear. I am waiting for SC to score over and over again. I use to tolerate that school but not now… not after the 18 years of academic cheating especially to allow failing athletes to take nonexistent courses to get A’s so they can remain eligible to play. Next spring the NCAA will strip UNC down to s school on 5 years of probation, no scholarship, on post season play, countless games and championships vacated. It will probably take them 15 years to get through this. I have no use for UNC whatsoever (but that is my prejudice. That is what I have to work on within my own heart). I have UNC grads who are my friends whom I hold in the highest respect and honor. They are people of integrity who would never be involved in cheating or support it in anyway. This scandal probable hurts them more than it bothers me. For them I am sorry.

Here is the thing: Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Sometimes the game gets rained out. Sometimes cheaters win and honesty loses. Sometimes we jump for joy and sometimes we fall to the ground in agony. I have been in all those situations. Hopefully I have learned to be a better sportsman because of all of it… better than I have expressed in my Tarheel paragraph above.

If your grandson is on the ground in agony, hold him, love him, let him know it will get better. Let him talk… listen carefully. Lift him up right now… he needs it.

O God, I don’t always do it or see it correctly. I have a big prejudice when it comes to cheaters. Help me to be tolerant of others as you are tolerant of me. I know I have a long way to go when it comes to those involved in the Chapel Hill scandal. Forgive me and lead me in the path that promotes healing, forgiveness and restoration. Above all this stuff, help me to be a soft place for my grandchildren to land when they are hurting or in need. In and through Jesus. Amen.

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First Confederate National Flag named “Stars and Bars” 1861

I must admit that I never thought I would see the Confederate Flag removed from the capitol buildings in some of the southern states. I was born and raised in North Carolina but the Civil War has never really meant all that much to me. For me it was brother against brother, family against family, and state against state. It was a big time family squabble that got a lot of young men killed.

I know slavery was part of the reason for the war… but we know that rich people in the north owned slaves as well, even George Washington. Other reasons for the war were economic… blockades that kept southern cotton from reaching its points of sale. Slavery was despicable in itself, but the inhumane treatment of slaves was even worse.

Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Va. The cross is St. Andrews’ Cross of Scotland which has less to do with Religion and more to do with strength and progress.

I am glad the flag is down but will that solve the problem of racism? I don’t think so. Some are using the lowering of the flag as a springboard to remove all Confederate remembrances from every city and town across the country. Some are talking about changing the name of the Jefferson Davis highway in Virginia, or removing Robert E. Lee statues from cemeteries. Even our own House is wanting to remove the Confederate flag from Confederate Cemeteries.

I wonder when will it end??? It reminds me of the words by Rameses in the movie the Ten Commandments. Moses has dishonored Pharaoh’s house by killing an Egyptian and found out to be a Hebrew. Judgment is pronounced on him and he is exiled from Egypt, and along with that it is ordered that his name never be spoken again and that his name be removed from every place it is inscribed. I think some are thinking this is where we need to go. If we do, then order up Seal Team 6 to invade the Vatican to removed two special letters kept in the catacombs: One from Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, and one from President Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States – both asking the Pope to pray for the people in battle.

Change will not happen with the lowering of a flag or the removal of all names associated with the Confederate part of the Civil War – or those who owned slaves. It will come only when we make room for change, understanding, forgiveness, acceptance, and brotherhood among ALL people. When we are ready to do that, we are ready for healing.

NEW BOOK IN PRINT

At the bottom of the header (above) you will find a place to click to pull up information about my new book in print: “The Sayings of Noah.”

Between the ages of 2 and 4 Noah shared some sayings with us that I could help but write down and tuck away for a later day. That day came and I wrote a series of Wednesday night Lenten Studies using his sayings as a springboard for what he could be thinking. I later turned them into a Lenten Sermon Series and finally into Sermons for the slow Sundays of summer.

I hope you will enjoy this light, but challenging approach to Lent – using the saying of this famous four year old theologian.

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Today I learned that one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known, Opalee Hall, stepped through heaven’s gate. I accepted this news with sadness and joy. I am saddened that we will miss her, but I am happy that her journey has now ended and she is in the Heavenly Country reunited with those who have gone before her.

I enjoyed her beautiful smile, loving spirit, and compassionate soul. When I would visit with her in her home we would talk about the good old days, the work of the church and how we need to reach out to bring others into the church. And then we would do our Blue Devil Dance…. she, like me, was a big Blue Devil fan. We also talked about her being from Leicester (north west of Asheville) where my dad served the Methodist Charge (Sandy Mush) back in 1949. We found that we live in such a small world.

I remember all of these things – especially her faithfulness… being in church every Sunday she could, even Sundays she probably did not feel like it. But there she was with that smile and that discerning involvement in worship. She was one of those people you could always count on to be there ready to sacrificially give all she could to move the church forward. And that she did for many years. If there ever was a time when I was feeling discouraged all I needed to do is look at her and her presence (who she is and what she was about) would lift my spirit.

She gave me a very special gift one Sunday as she was leaving church; she said: “Steve, I appreciate what you are trying to do at our church.” Those sincere words can keep a pastor going for a long time, working harder than ever.

She kept me going for a long time because every time I saw her she filled me with grace and reminded me of Jesus. I miss her greatly… and so will our church.

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A lot of people now days are in love with the hit show “The Big Bang Theory.” I must admit that I love the talented writing and acting on that show. As you know these scientists are Star Wars Fanatics. They know everything there is to know about those movies. Today I want to try a little bate and switch… that is from now on every time you hear about Star Wars your mind thinks Church Wars. I am doing this hoping that this little trickery of the ole grey matter will help us get involved in helping to heal the church. Dale Roach has written the following.

Churches are supposedly a haven to retreat from the world and the conflicts that our society introduces to us. Supposedly!

In fact, the church can often be a place of mortal combat between those who make up the fellowship. Growing up as a “preacher’s kid” introduced me to the reality that one does not escape conflict just by stepping through the doors of a church building. When you walk into a church you walk into the presence of varied personalities. Now it would be our hope that all those personalities in the church would be strong, mature Christians. This is not the case.

Most churches are made up of every type of person you can imagine. Conflict arises due to the fact that most congregations are not equipped to deal with the various levels of maturity within the congregation. To deal with conflict and address it before it gets too far out of hand you need to recognize the characteristics of those who make up your church.

The Non-Christian
All churches have some non-Christians within the congregation. They may attend faithfully and they may participate in all the affairs of the church but there has never been a time of “true turning to God” in their life. Just because their name is on the church role does not mean much if they are not giving their life to Christ. What is really dangerous is if a “non-Christian” is given a leadership role in the church and the justification is, “Well, he’s a good person, he attends well and he even gives money to the church.” If this is the case in your fellowship just get ready for conflict to explode somewhere down the line or if non-Christians gain the majority of leadership roles, spiritual death of the fellowship will take place.

The Baby Christian
Conflict shows up if you allow a baby Christian (a newborn) to take a leadership role that should only be given to a mature believer. No one would allow a baby to drive their car unless they have a strong desire for a severe accident. Babies are to be nurtured, fed and watched over carefully. It takes time to become a leader. Christians have to grow up to become healthy leaders!

The Adolescence/Teenage Christian
Not too long ago my wife came across a study that showed that the human brain does not completely mature until after the age of 21. We have raised a child. I believe every word of this study. Spiritual growth and maturity is much like human growth. It is a big mistake to place a new and growing Christian in significant leadership roles. Many times the ministry of a fellowship will be destroyed not by an evil heart but an immature mind. Spiritual maturity is essential for productive church growth. It can be observed that the reason some congregations do not flourish is due to the maturity or lack of maturity that some church leaders possess.

The Retired Christian
Some church members have thrown in the towel. “It is time for the young people of the church to take over.” is their theme. This is an extremely sad philosophy and theology. Conflict will evolve in any congregation in which the seasoned veterans of the Faith have retired. There is not a retirement schedule in the work of the Kingdom. When someone comes to the place in their Christian journey that they basically quit, it pushes them into the next characteristic – The Dead Christian. This characteristic speaks for itself. If a believer refuses to be used after a period of time a spiritual funeral will take place whether they admit it or not!

The Maturing/Adult Christian
These are those who bring a wealth of wisdom into any congregation. They are the ones who can help any fellowship avoid the blasts of conflict. These mature people do not desire to see conflict, however, when trouble arises they are determined to move the fellowship to the other side in a healthy fashion. A mature leader has learned how to deal with diversity. In fact, they recognize differing personalities and opinions as a wealth of possibilities and resources.

Where are you in your Christian journey?

Dale Roach

Although I appreciate and agree in some part with his observation, I don’t think that it is quite that neat. I believe that all persons, no matter what stage they may find themselves, should be mentored to serve and given responsibilities according to their gifts and graces  in order that they can grow their faith. Any of those people in any of those categories (top to bottom) are capable of firing the first shot in a church war… and keeping the war going. After all we have this thing called the human condition. I believe that we must grow a congregation where all of those people are cared for and nurtured, where they can mess up and be forgiven, where the leadership is more about the love and grace of Jesus Christ than we are about impressing those who will move us up the ladder. The church must grow to become the Koininia – the Communion of Christ – the body of Christ… where our first thought is to forgive, nurture, and accept anyone and everyone… to offer love and allow others to express love.  Our task is to keep working on love!!!

You will notice at the bottom of the header (above) are a list of my books. I have added the last one so you can order The Grieving Heart in paperback form. All the other books are eBooks. I hope that you will take the opportunity to read these and I hope they will help to bring you comfort and grace in time of need.

Please also take the time to leave a good review with Amazon. After today, these books have been published in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.

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Today I read a blog which I regularly follow. It touched me and made me think. I want to share some of my own thoughts with you using her words as a springboard.

She asked the question “Why am I still a Christian… despite… well, despite everything?  If we were to take everything negative… everything that should drive us screaming from the church… would we still be a Christian?

Why am I still a Christian when a mega-star pastor can affirm an admitted pedophile but seeks to disgrace this man’s former wife when she rightly petitions the state to annul a marriage that was fraudulent from the beginning?

Because I know that on this day, a bundle of nobodies made sure that the hungry homeless were fed a hot and nourishing meal and asked nothing in return.

Why am I still a Christian when a fame-blinded prosperity pastor tells his flock, many likely living on a bare edge, to each give $300 so he can have a $60,000,000 airplane?

Because I know the woman whose thankless job means she spends her days raising funds so that children have a safe and properly equipped public park where they may play and explore.

Why am I still a Christian when daily I see theologians and pastors tell those who don’t fix their definition of sexual “rightness” that they are less worthy in the eyes of God and will suffer eternal torment if they don’t get it right?

Because I know the pastors and people who toil quietly to bind up those wounds and pour healing balm on the battered hearts and torn faith of the despised and denigrated.

Yet even as I affirm I am still a Christian, I am aware of a large body of those who also call themselves “Christian” who would not admit me to their table. I had a long conversation with a good man who is a leader in one of the neo-calvinist, fast growing churches. After I pressed him on the issue, he finally admitted that I am not welcome to participate in the sacrament of communion there, despite the fact that they say they have an open table. My beliefs do not line up adequately with theirs for me to have a place at the feast.

I am aware that some whom I love with such undying passion that I would indeed willingly lay down my life for them are questioning my salvation and whether I will spend eternity with them. They wonder if I am one of those non-elect who will experience never-ending conscious torment. I know this. My heart breaks. However, I will not return to that world.

But I am still a Christian. In my maturing Christianity, I have moved from the God of anger, a God who appears to despise the very creation and the creature made in God’s image, a God whose capriciousness says, “Yes, I pick you but you I do not pick.” Yes, I have left it.

I am instead in love with Jesus who came to open wide the doors to the heavenly places to all, to the outcast, the leper, the foreigner, the sojourner, the widow, the orphan, the barren, the lost. I am in love with this one, sent by the Cosmic Lover, to hold in his dying agony all of our betrayal, all our ignorance, all our stupidity and meanness and murmuring and gossip and greed and lust and envy and gluttony and laziness and self-righteousness and sexuality and then say, “Father, forgive them. They simply don’t know what they are doing.”

I am in love with Jesus who would pay the ultimate price out of love . . . and then show us that death cannot contain or hold back that love. It will indeed find life again.

Yes, I am a Christian despite my growing despair over our infighting, over ridiculous battles about the tiniest of matters, over the way those who also call themselves Christian decide that it is OK to demean women (or slaves, or people of color or those who long for a same-sex marital covenant) as part of God’s will.

I am a Christian despite the fact that my own beloved United Methodist Church will undoubtedly crumble to dust in the next 20 to 30 years because we have forgotten that we are supposed to treat one another in the same way we ourselves wish to be treated. Our uncivil treatment of one another, not outdated polity or aging buildings and parishioners, has so infected us that we are about to go into septic shock.

But I am still a Christian despite . . . well, despite everything but Jesus.”

After spending the night thinking about her words I find that many of them are great and what I need. However, I find that too many of them are about finger pointing at the people who do not match what she considers a Christian lifestyle.

Sunday, my pastor used the Cherokee Legend of the Two Wolves to help explain our spiritual food. Allow me to share those words with you now:

An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, “Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.”He continues, “It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when none is intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great.It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?” The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, “The one I feed.”

As you read the blog I’ve shared, I ask that you overlook the finger pointing at all the wrong that is going on around you… all the ways you are putting others down while lifting yourself up… and focus on the two wolves living inside you. Which one is winning? Which one are you really feeding? That is the real question of the day.

You will notice at the bottom of the header (above) are a list of my books. I have added the last one so you can order The Grieving Heart in paperback form. All the other books are eBooks. I hope that you will take the opportunity to read these and I hope they will help to bring you comfort and grace in time of need.

Please also take the time to leave a good review with Amazon. After today, these books have been published in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.

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Shirley and I are so fortunate to have two wonderful grandchildren. They are funny, smart, creative and tolerant of their old grandparents. They have even gone so far as to text us on occasion. The other night Noah got a taste of what autocorrect failure can do to your text. He and his Mamaw had been texting for a few minutes. It was time for him to go so he signs off by typing “Good Night Mamaw!” However, the words that came through (after autocorrect did its thing) were: “Good Night Newman!” Feeling like she was on an episode of Seinfeld, Shirley responds: “WHAT?” Noah writes back and explains what has taken place. Now, his nick name is Newman. So is Shirley’s.

My brother and I recently had a good laugh about autocorrect. Shirley and I have had our laughs about all the stuff that comes out differently than we typed. This morning I spent a bit reading through some autocorrect failures posted on the internet. Some of them almost caused me to go blind they were so funny and I laughed so hard.

Perhaps we need autocorrect failure to give us a laugh and have us not to take ourselves so seriously.

Good Night Newman

You will notice at the bottom of the header (above) are a list of my books. I have added the last one so you can order The Grieving Heart in paperback form. All the other books are eBooks. I hope that you will take the opportunity to read these and I hope they will help to bring you comfort and grace in time of need.

Please also take the time to leave a good review with Amazon. After today, these books have been published in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.

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