The year 1981 was one of the most newsworthy time periods in recent history. A lot of great events happened that year, not the least of which was the birth of my daughter, Katie, in Houston, Texas. Now, all personal events aside, here are some things that either impacted or entertained all of us that happened that year…and, just a word of warning, these might make you feel just a little bit old. In 1981:

Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States. Two months later, an unsuccessful assassination attempt was made on his life in Washington, DC;

The Space Shuttle Columbia made its inaugural flight;

Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales, to the pomp and glory of all of England and a world-wide television viewing audience in the multiplied millions;

Sandra Day O’Conner became the first female justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court;

CBS news anchor, Walter Cronkite, signed off for the last time;

In 1981, Nintendo introduced Donkey Kong and Mario to the gaming world;

“Dallas” topped the television charts, and the faith-based film, “Chariots of Fire,” won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year;

Major League Baseball went on strike;

IBM introduced its first personal computer; and

“The Smurfs” aired for the first time in North America.

1981 was, indeed, a memorable year.

It was also the year that the incredibly popular board game, Trivial Pursuit, was introduced to the world. Millions have enjoyed its entertainment and intellectual challenges and, if you’re really good at it, you probably already knew some, if not all, of the events that occurred in 1981 that I just mentioned.

And since then, America has been obsessed with trivia. The game continues to be tremendously popular, special themed editions of it have been released, and even game shows have taken advantage of trivia’s popularity to garner some of the highest ratings in television history.

But, why all the hype? Why are so many people infatuated with trivia, when, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, trivia is defined as those things whose substance is of little worth or importance? People are pursuing the knowledge of unimportant things or chasing after information in their life that have little or no benefit; in fact, many of them can be harmful or detrimental to their quality of life.

And it seems that the pursuit of trivial things has crept into the lives of many believers today. While the Bible is crystal clear about what our priorities should be, many people are pursuing things that are either contrary to God’s word or can only be described as willful and intentional disobedience, defiance, and sin.

Well, what are these pursuits and what harm can they bring into our lives when we make them our quest instead of pursuing God’s desire and God’s will for our life? Stay with me, as we look at and consider, Trivial Pursuits, on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I grew up in a neighborhood where everybody knew everybody, and genuinely cared about each other. We knew every tree that was good for climbing, every shortcut, every yard that had a fence, every bike trail and hill, every dog that would bite, and who gave out bubble gum instead of apples at Halloween.

It was also special because of the people who lived there. We knew who had kids our age, who didn’t like kids our age, and who wouldn’t mind when we’d sneak a drink of water out of their garden hose on a hot summer day. It was a great place to grow up.

Our neighbors on either side of my home were special friends. One was an older gentleman who restored antiques. He taught me a lot about woodworking, tools, and craftmanship. On the other side was a family whose father worked for an automotive parts distributor. I remember, he always bought a new car every year and was on the road Monday through Thursday, usually getting home late that evening. Sometimes I’d see him and ask him if he ever got tired of driving so much and being away. He’d always smile and give me his pat answer, “I never have, and I never will.” Then he’d rub me on the head and go inside.

I’ve often thought about his statement and wonder if he ever DID grow weary and tired of the travel and loneliness of the road. Like they say, “Never say, ‘Never.’”

Well, on today’s podcast, we’ll look at God and His power and promises that make that statement true and without any doubt. Stay with me, as we hear God tell each of us: I Never Have, and I Never Will! That’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

When I was in school, my favorite subject was mathematics. I absolutely loved algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. I guess I was just one of those weird kids that loved numbers and what you could do with them.

To be honest with you, I suppose the reason I loved math so much was the fact that it had a definitive answer to every problem presented. Only one answer was correct and yours was either right or wrong…that’s it…it left no room for interpretation, analysis, discussion, or a professor’s mood swings, like essay tests in English Literature. There were absolutely no gray areas, period!

Well, if you live the Christian life very long, you soon learn that, sometimes, there seem to be gray areas when it comes to deciding what’s right or wrong, good or bad…in other words, what is sin and what isn’t.

Now, there are some things that leave absolutely no doubt. In fact, there are 10 of them. They’re called the 10 Commandments. When God says, “Thou shalt not,” well, thou shalt not. But what about the things that don’t make the Top 10, that aren’t chiseled in stone, but are close enough to make us pause and think…is this a sin or isn’t it? After all, God’s word tells us to abstain from even the appearance of sin!

Well, that’s what I’ll be dealing with on today’s podcast. Well take a look at the gray areas of right and wrong and learn what to do: When It’s Not Black-and-White.

Stay with me, because that’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

In the late 1800s, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was a modest, yet thriving community, located in the western part of the state.

14 miles away was the South Fork Hunting & Fishing Club, an exclusive group whose members included Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick, and Andrew Mellon. In 1879, the club restored an abandoned earthen dam and created Lake Conemaugh, which was used for sailing and boating, and which the members stocked with expensive game fish for sport.

Some people in Johnstown feared the dam wasn't safe. Daniel Morrell, one of Johnstown's most prominent civic leaders even had the dam inspected, and wrote to the club pointing out major flaws that were discovered, but his concerns were ignored.

In May, 1889, there were several days of extraordinarily heavy rains. By May 31, management at the club realized the dam was in danger of giving way, but there was little they could do.

Warnings were sent to Johnstown that the dam might collapse, but after years of false alarms, the messages weren’t taken seriously. The water began to top the dam, and eventually, it gave way.

The water rushed down the valley, sweeping trees, rail cars, and entire houses in its path. By the time the 20 million tons of water reached Johnstown, it was carrying even more debris.

The mass hit the city, flattening everything in its path, until it was stopped by an immense stone bridge at the far end of the town. The stone bridge held but created a disaster of its own. It acted like another dam, causing the water to back up and flood the city. Then the entire mass of debris caught fire.

In the end, more than 2,200 people died in the Johnstown flood. Damage estimates were a conservative $17 million dollars, which equates to more than a half-billion dollars by today’s standard. It is still regarded as the worst dam collapse in U. S. history.

You know, life can be a lot like that dam. Sometimes, the stresses and events of our lives build up incredible pressure, and even though we feel capable of handling them, we soon find we’re not prepared for their onslaught, and they overwhelm us with their strength and power. Other times, the actions of others or the circumstances and situations we’re forced to face are not of our own choosing or fault, but they prove to be devasting and tragic just the same.

So, what do we do in moments like that? What do we do when life is going along smoothly and, then, out of nowhere, we’re overcome by events that shake us to our core and even challenge our faith?

Well, stay with me, because that’s what I’ll be talking about on this podcast. We’ll look at God’s Word and discover His plan and promises to help us know what to do: When All Hell Breaks Loose. That’s coming up on today’s episode of Living Lite Today.

If you visit any toy store in your local mall today, you’ll find an endless variety of games to play. Some of them are timeless classics like Monopoly, Parcheesi, Sorry, Yahtzee, and Uno. Others are newer, but no less popular.

And games are making a comeback. Record sales are being reported and game manufacturers are saying Family Game Night is a new trend in our culture, perhaps motivated by the isolation of COVID quarantining.

Now, when I was a kid, we played a lot of games, too, but most of them were outside and they didn’t cost a dime. Games like Run-Sheep-Run, I Spy, Tag, and Mother-May-I? We’d entertain ourselves for hours with the joy and innocence of simple games played with our friends.

To be honest, I probably wouldn’t play most of these games today. Let’s just say they’re for a younger crowd. But I do enjoy some games. I’m just careful what games I choose to play and who I play them with. Like, I definitely wouldn’t play Trivial Pursuit with Ken Jennings!

Now, whether they realize it or not, many people are playing games with God every day. They live their life just like it’s some sort of fun activity, with no consequence for their bad choices or ultimate penalty for breaking the rules. They play the game the way they want to play it, smugly thinking that the dice and cards are always stacked in their favor, and nothing can stand in their way to victory.

Well, that’s what I’ll be talking about on this podcast. I’ll be addressing the topic of people and the games they play as I look at: Playing Hide-and-Seek with God.

Stay with me, because that’s coming up on today’s episode of Living Lite Today.

Bridget and I have 6 grandchildren who we, simply, adore. I’ve said on numerous occasions that grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your kids when they were teenagers…and I agree. They’re a huge blessing and bring so much joy to our lives every day!

 Now, one of the things I marvel at about them is their innocent inquisitiveness, about life, nature, God…just about anything and everything. You talk about any subject, and they’ll have a dozen questions about it.

 The other night during bedtime prayers, we were talking about Heaven and the questions began: What is Heaven really like? If a person has a tattoo now, will they have it in Heaven? and, Exactly, where is God? I have to admit that their questions often make me study my Bible a little bit harder. You just never know what they’re going to ask!

 After I kissed them goodnight and tucked them in their beds, I went downstairs, sat down in my easy chair, and started thinking about the questions they asked, especially, “Exactly, where is God?” Innocent enough, but deep in its implications.

 Well, exactly, where is God? We’re taught that He’s always with us, He’s everywhere. He’s in Heaven, He’s in all places at the same time…there’s nowhere that He’s not there…in good times and bad! But though we know this to be true, do we always believe it, or do we allow the circumstances in our life to blind us to the truths and promises of God?

It’s easy to believe God is with us when things are going smoothly and the way we think they should. But what about those times when they’re not, those times when we struggle to know God is with us, when we experience His silence or feel like He’s a million miles away? Times when we feel like He’s abandoned us, leaving us to handle our difficult situation in our own strength and power, any way we can.

 Well, that’s what I’ll be talking about on my podcast today. I’ll be asking and answering a question that man has asked since time began: Where is God When I Need Him the Most? Stay with me because that’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Movies have been a part of our lives since the late 1800s. Historians will debate the difference between a motion picture and a full-length movie, the exact date they were produced, and whether they were even worthy of consideration of either title. 

All that aside, there are some films that are considered timeless classics, that transcend age and time itself, and are just as poignant and relevant today as the day they were made…movies like Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and The Sound of Music, just to name a few. I’m sure you’re thinking of a few of your own choices right now.

Well, during my Senior Year of high school, the movie, Love Story, hit the big screen, touching the hearts of every dating couple during that time. It starred Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal, and was often compared to a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with its inclusion of ultimate devotion, love, sacrifice, and the death of a lover.

I seriously doubt that Love Story will ever be considered a timeless classic to most movie experts, but the phrase from the movie, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” will be forever remembered for the tears and sadness it created on all who watched the film.

Now, while it may have been a catchy phrase in its day, it’s just not true or realistic. Love does mean having to say you’re sorry, along with, I was wrong, forgive me, you’re right, you’re important, I care what you think, I respect you, and so much more.

And love, real love, a godly love, should be freely given with no conditions, restrictions, or limitations to everyone at all times because that’s the way God intended.

So why would God want it that way? Why would God ask us to do something that is often difficult or far more than we can humanly do? What are the benefits, and how could it change our world?

Well, that’s what I’ll be talking about on my podcast today. We’re going to look at God’s Word, listen to His heart, and discover together: Why We Should Love One Another. Stay with me, because that’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

One of the most popular cable television series ever produced has been The Walking Dead. The series features a group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse or takeover, who are trying to stay alive under the constant and unrelenting threat of attacks from zombies. Interestingly, the series was produced a little more that 50 miles from my front door, in the small Georgia town of Senoia.

Now, even though I’ve never seen a single episode, there are thousands of people around the globe who are huge fans of the series and can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about zombies and zombie life. The only thing I know about them is that they appear to be neither living nor dead, but exist, somehow, between both states of being.

I suppose zombies are one of the few things that can exist like that. For almost everything else, you’re either one or the other, living or dead, with no in-between.

And one of those things is your faith, because your faith is either a living faith or a dead faith, and, depending on what kind of faith you have, determines whether it’s effective and usable to God and His work, or is useless and of little value in His kingdom.

 On today’s podcast, I’m going to be looking at your faith and my faith and help each of us answer a critically important question: Is Your Faith Living or Dead? Stay with me because that’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a creature of habit. I like things to, basically, stay the same…maintain the status quo…be predictable. I suppose that’s why I’ve seen the same hairstylist for over 25 years.

Teresa is great. She knows how I like my hair cut without me telling her, and she always does it with a smile, a great personality, and a positive attitude. She makes something as simple as getting my hair cut a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, not all stylists are like that. In fact, they’re far from it.

I heard about one barber in a small town that was known for his arrogant, negative attitude.

When one of his regular customers came in and mentioned that he'd be going to Rome in a few days and that he hoped to meet the Pope, the barber's response was typical. "You…meet the Pope? Ha, don't make me laugh! The Pope only meets with kings and queens, presidents, heads of state, and other dignitaries. Why would he want to meet you?"

Well, a month later, the same man returned for another haircut.

"How was Rome?," the barber asked.

"Great! I saw the Pope."

"Yeah, from St. Peter's Square like the rest of the crowd, I suppose."

"Well, yes, but then two guards came up and demanded that the Pope wanted to see me personally. They even took me to his private apartment in the Vatican."

"Really…what did the Pope say?"

"Well, the first thing he asked was who gave me that lousy haircut?"

Now, as humorous as that story might be, there’s an element of truth reflected here. Bad attitudes can change the way people respond to you, and can, actually, affect your life in a negative way, causing you to see the world and other people through jaded eyes.

Well, on today’s podcast, we’re going to examine our attitude and find out if it helps us or hurts us. Does it allow us to see the world and people as God wants us to?

Stay with me, as I address the formula: Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life. That’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.

Ever since the first commercials aired on radio and television, many of their product slogans have become part of our everyday life. Even today, most people can identify a product or company just by hearing them. Let me give you an example: if you were to hear, “Just do it!,” most of you would probably recognize that as Nike.

And slogans have been with us for generations and continue to be part of our culture. Slogans like: Where’s the beef?; Melts in your mouth, not in your hand; It’s the real thing; When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight; Don’t leave home without it; and, It’s finger-lickin’ good, all take our minds immediately to a product or company. That’s the power of an effective brand.

One of the most well-known slogans ever created was for the Cunard (Kyoonard) Transatlantic Shipping Line. Chances are, you’ve never heard of them, but, in the 1950s, they owned the largest fleet of ships on the Atlantic, including the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.

When jet airliners began to cross the Atlantic, the shipping company needed to tell people about the advantages and perks of traveling, instead, by ship. They soon came up with the corporate slogan, “Getting There is Half the Fun!,” which many people remember to this day, over 60 years later.

Now, while this slogan may have been effective for The Cunard Line, it doesn’t work for any parent who has every taken a car full of young children on vacation. Getting there is definitely NOT half the fun.

Boredom and impatience doesn’t take long to percolate from the backseat, and it isn’t long before you hear the inevitable wail, “How much longer? Are we there yet?”

And, you know, as we live out our Christian life in a hostile culture, we often get frustrated, impatient, and weary, too, and we’re bound to ask God what children on road trips and trying journeys have asked for decades: Daddy, Are We There Yet? Well, stay tuned for some words of encouragement as we travel this road together. That’s coming up on this episode of Living Lite Today.