Irv and I recently watched online as our oldest granddaughter graduated from Southeastern University in Florida. Though a long ceremony, the ceremony was only a snapshot in time as compared to the amount of time and effort that was invested into accomplishing the goal. There is a lot packed into what all the pomp and circumstance represent. And, of course, the graduation candidates always enter the auditorium walking to the accompaniment of the familiar song of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Sir Edward Elgar composed the melody in 1901 and it is reported that the title came from a line in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, “Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.” The phrase “pomp and circumstance&rdquo...

Father’s Day is June 18, 2023. That being the case, I thought I’d write on what it takes to be a godly father. It has turned into a two-part article, so bear with me. Let me begin by saying not every man with children is a father.  Fatherhood requires many qualities that some men do not have.  It requires sacrifice that some will not give. Before I get into the requirements to be a godly father let me state that it is a blessing of God to be a father. Children are a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5). In addition to being a blessing, being a father is also a huge responsibility because children mirror their parents (Exodus 20:5). Children incorporate the values, beliefs, and behaviors they see in their parents.  As the old .........

For many years Elsie and I, along with our children and assorted grandchildren, went to the Minnesota State Fair. We always made our way to the Agriculture Building where we learned about everything from gardening to beekeeping. Of great interest to us was the production of honey. How do the bees do it? There in the honey room where honey was judged, was our dear friend, Roger Olson. Roger, the “Honey Man,” was the co-owner of Mel-O-Honey and an expert on beekeeping and honey. Roger would describe for the crowds how bees make honey. Fascinating stuff! Roger, his wife, Jan, and their daughter, Shelley (Olson) Johnson, were members of our church so it was always a joy to spend some time with them.  Jan, Roger’s wife, ...

Have you ever been really thirsty; I’m talking about parched tongue thirsty? If you have then you know that nothing can quench thirst better than cool, clean water. When you’re that thirsty nothing else will do. I know that energy drinks and vitamin-infused waters are all the rage but just give me plain old water when I’m thirsty. If that’s the case in the physical realm how much more is it the case in the emotional and spiritual realms.

Are you emotionally thirsty? Here’s an example of what I mean. All of us have a deep desire to love and be loved by someone. Love for us is like water. We crave it from the moment we’re born. If we aren’t loved or don’t feel loved, we will become love thirsty.........