Opinions

During my childhood, the lengthening days of spring which gave way to summer were thick with humidity and with opportunity. Lightning bugs affirmed the approach of June, July and August when the school doors would close, and the refrigerator doors would open wide with lemonade and Jell-O.

Everyone who has ever watched a track meet knows the absolute critical nature of the baton exchange. There are many dynamics involved in putting together a successful relay team. Arranging the runners in a strategic order, especially the anchor (last sprinter) is a key decision. Of course, speed is most obvious.

Growing up in Dallas we moved a lot. The reasons were not often good, which resulted in me having very few childhood memories. Yet there was one that still comes to mind. It was about greyhounds chasing jackrabbits.

When you’re at Lake Oconee, Ga., and you offer to buy your five college friends a slice of Buttermilk Pie “as seen in Southern Living,” it will take your appetite away to reach for your credit card and find it missing from your wallet.

Thursday evening was warm but breezy, and a crowd in the hundreds gathered at Lion Memorial Stadium for the annual, intra-squad scrimmage. Fans are always interested in the preview of the football team that will suit up in maroon and white come the fall season.

One of the hardest to understand phrases uttered by the national media over the past two years has been stated often by the Democratic Party. It’s almost as though the journalists using the term are not aware that, with our own two eyes, we can see the buildings on fire, the glass shattering, hundreds of protesters looting stores along with reports of deaths during what they call peaceful protests.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare may have penned that sentiment but the generations following him have worn the blush off.

Thursday evening was a wonderful moment. Following the previous night and morning of stormy weather, filled with thunder, power outages and a deluge of showers, came sunny skies and a respite with mild temperatures.

Efforts to govern the freedom of speech have picked up speed in Washington. Why the hurry? Does the Department of Homeland Security have a chicken in the oven? The timing is highly suspicious, don’t you think?

It’s easy to mock and be critical, and unfortunately, our human nature loves to judge unfairly and display negative thoughts about others. If we could only remember that many people are going through some type of painful trial which usually explains why they seem peculiar. I often counsel those who are struggling with personal problems and it changes our perspective when we know the bigger picture. As Christians, we are called to be a light that represents God’s nature and this includes forbearance, understanding, and compassion. This is so that everyone can see Christ and hopefully will inspire them to learn more about who He is. When we act ugly and rude, we are actually turning others away from the message of grace and love that we proclaim is what the lost world desperately needs. Whether you’ve noticed it or not, those around us are carefully observing us which is having a direct impact on what they think about God and who we are. Every day we have opportunities to do what Jesus would do.