toddcast

Years ago as a ministry student in college a friend and I had a semester-long internship at a church about an hour away from campus.   Each Sunday we would make the scenic drive from the suburbs of Philadelphia northwest to the more rural Pennsylvania city of Allentown. Art, my friend and cohort, had the car, so he would drive his blue Ford Maverick and I would navigate. I have many fond memories of our Sunday drives and our time spent up in Allentown, but I will never forget one particular Sunday morning trip. We were coasting along one beautiful Fall Sunday morning, and as navigator I instructed Art to make the next left turn.   But instead of turning, he just sailed by.   As we missed our turn I asked Art what the problem was and his reply went something like this - "My brakes aren't working well."    Not exactly what I wanted to hear!   Panic shot through my soul.   I'm no mechanic but even I know that brakes are fairly important!   So...

I recently went to see the movie Sully and really liked it.   Perhaps, because of his ties to Denison, I am biased as are most of us who live in Texoma.   Putting that aside, I think I would have liked the movie anyway.   Sully comes across as a prepared, honest, hard-working, honorable character, and the story is just a feel-good tale of how people worked together to turn what could have been a disastrous tragedy into an inspiring story of preparedness and heroism. I particularly noted that whenever the event was referred to as a "crash", Sully would offer correction calling the event a "controlled water landing."   Two very different perspectives on the same event.   One perspective seeing the event as only an accident destined to end badly.   The other perspective seeing it as a heroic response to an unforeseeable and unfortunate turn of events. Sully's response reminded me that perspective matters. I suppose that none of us will ever ...

Recently there seems to be so much complaining and arguing about the spiritual condition of our country.   I tend to agree that Christian values and   Biblical teachings are being challenged and rejected more now than ever before in our lifetime, but the despair and negativity has really been getting to me.   Some Christians are resorting to name-calling and behavior that borders on down-right hatred.   The anger and frustration I can understand, but one reaction that no Christian should be experiencing in these times, or in any times, is surprise.   This summer I organized a trip to Globe Life Park for a group from our church to see a Texas Rangers game.   Having been born and raised just north of Boston, I am an unashamed Red Sox fan, so when this game happened to be against the Red Sox no one was shocked. I'm one of those obnoxious fans who wears the shirts and hats of the opposing team and have no qualms with cheering for the visitors...

Recently I went to my 10-year-old nephew's youth baseball game in Arlington.   They live in south Texas so this was the first time I got to see him in action as his team was in the Metroplex for a tournament.   He was playing left field in a close 1-0 game when a line drive was sharply hit to the left-center field gap.   It was looking like a sure extra base hit and a potential game changer when my nephew darted to his left and snagged the ball as he fell to his knees.   Great catch.   Cue the ESPN theme music. As he trotted in toward the dugout to the delight of his teammates I thought to myself that this was one of those plays that he will remember all his life.   I know I have a catalogue of similar moments that are etched in my memory.   Not that I was ever a great athlete, but I did have my moments.   Nice catches, key base hits, timely tackles, critical baskets, decisive goals. Years have passed but the memories are as clear as if...

I have a scar just below my lower lip.   As a teenager I was playing leftfield tracking down a ground-ball that had found its way between our third baseman and shortstop when the ball took a bad hop and struck me just above my chin.   Turns out my teeth went through my lower lip resulting in a trip in the ER for stitches. My left wrist has limited mobility.   Sometimes I'll feel a sharp pain for no apparent reason. Almost forty years ago I was again playing leftfield and dove headlong for a fly ball heading toward the gap.   I missed the ball and landed square on my left hand and jammed my wrist.   It’s never been the same since. The middle finger on my right hand slightly but noticeably slants toward my ring finger.   I was leading off second base when the pitcher whirled to pick me off and as I dove back I jammed my middle finger into the base. Another trip to the ER for X-rays.   The finger was broken.   The biggest scar on...