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"Eyes Right!"

It’s that Palm Sunday. JESUS is healing the blind and crippled. Jerusalem’s religious elite witness the supernatural evidence of who this Nazarene carpenter is. For all who had eyes to see, He’s their expected MESSIAH.

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Rest Assured

Ahhh, time-travel those lazy, sunny, summer daze. When we were kids, that carefree season lingered forever. Remember those endless hours of staring up where astronauts play. But times have changed. We’re leg-ironed with adult duties, impossible expectations. To make it more interesting, stir in crippling inflation, bank closures and the specter of global war.

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"Who's Sorry Now"

Is the annual outbreak of colorful spring flowers God’s way of apologizing for winter? Seeking someone’s forgiveness is vital in growing fragrant relationships. It’s often daunting, but it’s where healing begins.

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Beam Me Up!

At a certain age you stop getting stronger, sleeker and speedier. The moment you’re born, you start dying.

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What's Going On?

Arriving in riot-ravaged Detroit in 1964 to be a deejay at WJBK, the first Motown star I met was Marvin Gaye. It was four years before his mega-hit, “What’s Going On?” -- a question still stumping us.

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Peace

On the 1st and 15th of each month we post a new blog. Michael McDonald’s serving of this song, entitled “Peace,” is angelic. He implores God to “stay within our reach.” In lieu of our blog, hush your cares, listen to Michael… and be at Peace.

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Judging A Book

You need not burrow far into your address book to find a name that no longer needs contact info. Today’s calls seem to be from telemarketers or news of a death. A day’s coming when people will be unable to reach you, a day when “Rest in peace” will be an understatement, whether the departed is on streets of gold or burning coal.

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Cry Me A River

Early on Mom rewarded me for memorizing God’s Word by giving me Christian biographies. When I failed to prepare, I fell back on the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus often hosted the Son of God in their home. When our Lord arrived soon before He was crucified, Lazarus had been dead four days. Jesus was touched by his sisters’ grief. From deep within His humanity … “He wept.”

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"Last Call!"

What’s your track record for keeping promises? King David left us a Post-it that reads, “The Lord keeps every promise forever.” When you cast your lot with Jesus, He’ll always be with you, no matter what curves life throws at you.

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Clean Slate

A new year is a clean slate. Swipe off the past, and focus on who God says you’re becoming.

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Mary, Who Knew?

One of the most pensive additions to our Christmas library was written by two good ole boys who sing primarily Southern Gospel. Mark Lowry put his stand-up comedy chops aside to write these tender words. The melody is from Buddy Greene, Nashville’s harmonica virtuoso. Mark sings his poignant lyrics as we send this beautiful carol from our hearth to yours.

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Holy But, Batman

Innovation is on fire in Israel. Dream it, then stream it. Soon flying cars will be sky taxis, ala Marvel Comics, to speed health care to the boonies. If only we had an app to delete anxiety and see life from God’s perspective? We do!! It’s …. (drum rol-l-l-l-l-l) …THE HOLY BUT.

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Word of the Month Club

Where do words come from? Who spoke the first ones? Can anybody make up a word? Who decides its definition? Do the Webster boys own the franchise? It reminds me of the ads you hear before Valentine’s Day, you know, the ones promising to name a star after you!

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Hop Off The Bus, Gus!

As a lad in Memphis in the forties and fifties, I went to school on a city bus. A 7 cent token was my ticket to ride. Come duck-drowning downpours, sleety streets or hellish humidity, my lone option was a segregated, smoke-belcher.

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VOTE

It’s one of those four-letter words. 2,600 years ago Daniel wrote: “God controls the course of world events. He removes kings and sets up kings.”

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Snow Business

Never had we felt more out of control. Midwest winters are the worst. Huge, softball-sized snowflakes blindfolded us as we crept along the Indiana Toll Road. All we could see up ahead was the taillights of a monster semi whose bravado propelled him faster than we dared to venture without our Iditarod lead dog.

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Mirror, mirror

“That does it!! No more pigging out on pizza for me,” I hear you shout. No more binge-watching and buttered sweet corn. The stranger staring back at you from that full-length mirror is not who you wanted to see. Face it, your high school yearbook editor is one of a select few who remember, as Streisand and Redford put it in ‘73, “the way we were.” If you really want to recover your senior year’s physique, these should be your salad-only days.

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Ask, For A Change

A company in France claims that “If we ask the right questions, we can change the world.” Questions like “What can be done if …” invite breakthroughs.

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Unum e Pluribus

A brilliant Roman citizen, a Hebrew by birth, introduced what the Bible calls the “mystery” or “secret.” It replaced Jewish religious rituals, animal sacrifices, etc. providing total pardon of our sins, paid for by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, a position that is yours by faith, not by works.

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A-grazing Mace

In 1760 a seemingly harmless word was coined. It smacks of being lazy, a spectator – not a player, a smugness which, says astronaut Alan Shepard, can come from success. The word is complacent.

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Are You Freakin'?

We’re drowning in “breaking news” ….mass shootings, killer earthquakes, gang violence, death threats toward leaders, viral diseases, wars, lying leaders, tyrannical control, leaky borders admitting criminals, no due process, jailed but not charged, energy-dependent, stalled supply chains and more.

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Sure Cure

“Ask your doctor about the little blue pill,” breathlessly whispers the TV announcer who’s promising to cure you … while simultaneously warning, at 3x speed, that it could kill you. Judging by the other products being advertised on this channel, the viewer (1) fears the future, (2) is restless and (3) obsesses about his/her looks.

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Truth Questioned

Bobb Biehl and Bob Tiede, as His Deal Specialists, believe we learn and lead best by asking profound questions. These Bible verses may be the four most profound.

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Your Song

Larry Wright was a Top 40 deejay in Phoenix. Mixing humor with homiletics, “Lucky Lawrence” explained Jesus Christ’s teachings to hundreds each week, meeting in bars.

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Trust

You’ve decided to build your dream home. You take your bucket list of ideas to an architect. But instead of detailed blueprints for your approval, he flippantly says, “Trust me, it’ll be great.”

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What A Bod!

Why are we so body-conscious? We stress over our appearance, diet, rest, exercise, etc.

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Ready?

Strangely, we give no thought to something as vital and continuous as breathing unless we have a respiratory disorder.

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Impossible

If you could ask Vladimir Putin and Volodymir Zelenskiy one question? What would It be?

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No Brainer

A skilled wordsmith can craft a “dog whistle” to secretly send signals of affection or rejection, even war or peace.

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Fear Not

An infectious disease and a crazed, rootin-tootin’ empire builder have given us a new religion …. FEAR. Streaming media filibuster us with continuous “news” designed to fan the flames of our phobias.

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No Way

At this stage in your life what seems impossible for you? Is it a money pinch? A health snafu? Maybe a wrinkled relationship that can’t be ironed out?

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Risk, Regret or Rejoice?

What do you want your loved ones to know before they breathe their last? The consequences are enormous.

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Stranded

As a child were you ever lost in a crowd?

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R-r-r-r-i-p City!

Portland’s basketball crazies are animated by this war cry.

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"Are You Sure?"

That question could save your life.

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Forget It

Who’s your most unforgettable person?

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Ready or Not

What are you waiting for? What did kids do before smartphones or video games to fight boredom?

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Exhale

As we slip into a new season, how would you like to get intentional, just for fun? Let’s turnover some rocks and see what pops up.

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Uncover

Let’s have a seat on this park bench while those geese and gulls practice touch’n’go’s on the lake. Life appears to be so uncomplicated for these graceful creatures, doesn’t it?

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Not Yet

It hurts my heart that so many of our friends have not yet said “Yes” to Jesus.” It’s like the manager whose starting pitcher can’t seem to find the plate. He keeps walking in more runs, but the skipper refuses to call the bullpen and stop the bleeding.

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Hope Floats

Jesus and His lads were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a malicious storm. It could easily have been their last. This reminds us that (1) storms end eventually, and (2) we’re safe when we’re in the boat with Jesus.

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Not Easy, But Possible

Several times a day I hear, “How are you feeling? I mean Really feeling?” People actually want to know; I get it.

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Roots and Ruts

The Bitterroot Mountains stretch 103 miles across Montana and Idaho. Their name recalls the curious phrase, “a root of bitterness.”

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Water, Water Everywhere

When we swelter, we head for shelter. Wherever there’s water. Be it the windswept Pacific coast, Puget Sound’s chill, crystalline Northwest lakes, the muscular Columbia or just a sip to wet our lips.

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Expectations

Have you ever come across a contronym? It’s a word that has opposing definitions, for example: Trim, Fast, Mean, Refrain.

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Lest We Forget

Our national observance of Memorial Day stirs us from our patriotic dormancy, bringing to mind genuine American heroes who traded their very lives for the priceless gift of freedom which we dare not take lightly.

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Know-It-All

How much creative talent must one possess to be Designer-in-Chief of the Universe?

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Blowhard

May Day, celebrated on the 1st of May, has been a harbinger of springtime for thousands of years. It marks the return of Creation’s cavalcade of colors.

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One Shining Star

Our friend, Brig. Gen. Richard F. Abel, now in his 80’s, retired after serving his country for thirty years, proudly wearing the uniform with integrity.

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Hiding Eggs or Easter?

When you were a kid, remember those Easter egg coloring kits? The decals transferred images and words onto hard-boiled eggs which our parents hid for us under the couch cushions. Somehow I failed to make the connection between colored eggs and the open tomb. But now upon reflection …

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Mission Possible

You’re rocking back ’n’ forth, pacing-in-place, waiting for a green light. The sea of humanity surrounding you, all decked out in their business best, appears to have it all together. But in your heart of hearts you’re as directionless as kelp in a tidal pool.

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Unfinished Business

What unique experience is coming your way that at this stage of your life is impossible to describe?

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“Take Heart!”

At the age of nearly 100 Dr. Michael DeBakey wrapped up a stellar, 75-year career as a surgeon, scientist, inventor and educator.

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Omen

Ominous, isn’t it? It may be the harbinger of a holocaust or the promise of paradise. The premonition that a world-shaking event is lurking offstage is giving many the vibe that whatever is coming, it is imminent. Deep in our souls we yearn for peace and unity. Instead we see hate and destruction.

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Slow Dancing With God

He made everything that has been made. Isn’t that an expansive thought to ponder? Every atom, every molecule, everything that exists. And he did it all in just six days. Well, that’s God’s story anyway. But even if those half-a-dozen days were longer, much longer than our 24 hour days, that’s still moving pretty fast, wouldn’t you agree?

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Yes, Now

Give me these next ninety seconds, and I’ll give you something you can’t buy, even if you're worth more than Gates and Bezos combined. But first, a question.

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"What Counts?"

Have we become desensitized to the daily death count? This war we’re waging against that covert Covid foe is so dehumanizing. As it drags on, is there a danger of our becoming immune to the heartbreak behind each of those numbers?

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"Pearl Of Great Price"

In the bleak, desperate days of World War II America was deeply divided. Armistice signings unleashed the hopes and dreams of our “Greatest Generation” who laced up for a post-war building boom like none other ever. Now we’re “deeply divided” again, having failed to learn the cost for the freedom our brave ancestors purchased with their blood.

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"Many Thanks"

Holidays are made for families. Hearts are tugged together, mending hurts with mercy where needed. Elders seem older and slower. Little ones grow quickly, replenishing hope for tomorrow. Mom’s specialty dishes draw ooh’s and ahh’s of anticipation rewarded. For a fleeting moment time stands still. Objects in the mirror of your mind seem closer than they are.

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Satchmo's World

“I see trees of green, red roses too, and I think to myself, ‘What a wonderful world!’” 3,000 years ago the most powerful ruler on the planet wrote a hit song describing the path to that world. You can almost hear King David hum it as he wrote: “How happy and fulfilled are those whose rebellion has been forgiven, those whose sins are covered by blood. How blessed and relieved are those who have confessed their corruption to God! For He wipes their slate clean and removes hypocrisy from their hearts.” (Psalm 32:1-2) When you think to yourself, is your world wonderful?

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