Yesterday was a special day in the spiritual life of the church where I worship. Our goal for our assembly was reflected in our theme: “Gripped by Worship”. We sought to see God and were overwhelmed by his majesty and greatness. We thought about our own weaknesses and inadequacies and were saddened, yet willing to recommit as living …
Author Archives: bro.bobyoung
Your Nose–Top Ten Things to Do With It!
10. Look down it at somebody. After all, everyone needs to know that you are a proud person. 9. Poke it into someone else’s business. This will help you keep strife and dissension stirred up and others will know how much you care. 8. Snoop around with it. Being nosy and a gossip is good …
Spider Crossing?
I was just driving down the road, minding my own business, when I saw “it”. “It” was a 4-5 inch spider casually crossing the road. I went on about my business–it went on about its business. Why did I notice it? Why am I writing about a spider on the road? I noticed it because …
Introspection
I love questions. Questions teach–I learn. Questions sharpen–I have to think. Questions cut–they reveal my inner soul. “Am I committed to something bigger than I am, that will last longer than I will?” Good question! The question has multiple dynamics. Am I committed? Hard to measure. What does it mean to be committed? How committed? A few …
On Being Educated….
I am thinking today about what it means to be educated. J. K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) spoke at the spring graduation at Harvard earlier this month. Some of the graduates were appalled. “She just writes children’s books. She can hardly have anything to say to a Harvard grad.” Some applauded the decision to …
Walls
[Note: the following is not original with me. Unfortunately I do not know the source.] Ten reasons we don’t need new walls! 1. We’ve gotten by fine without them for 100 years. 2. They’ll cost too much. 3. We tried to build them once and it didn’t work. 4. Nobody will help. 5. Some of …
Ain’t It Awful!
I love some of the signature lines people put at the end of their e-mails. Here’s my nomination for the signature of the day: “Drop out of the ‘Ain’t It Awful Club’—Volunteer!” Easy to figure out what’s wrong. Easier to bemoan what’s wrong. Easiest to criticize what’s wrong. Hard to to get involved. Hard to …
Do You Ever Do Anything but Study?
The question caught me by surprise. It was only a casual conversation meandering across a lot of subjects randomly. Eventually the question, “How do you know all that stuff?” The immediate response, “It’s my job to know stuff.” Indeed! It is my job to know stuff.” I remember the compliment paid to one of my …
Faith or Hope?
My neighbor hurried across the street. I could tell she had something on her mind. Turns out, she had a story she knew I would enjoy. She had been talking to one of her religious friends. They were talking about the tribulation. Her friend had said, “I believe in pre-trib. But if that doesn’t happen, …
Self-destructing trees–and churches!
I’m back in my cul-de-sac today (not literally, but in my thinking). There’s a big hole in my neighbor’s front yard. Not a literal hole in the ground, a place where a tree used to be—until last winter’s ice storm. My neighbor lost a Bradford pear. Why? Because Bradford pear trees, despite their beautiful early …