I was showing my newly remodeled home with its majestic ocean view to someone the other day and he told me that I was “lucky”. I looked at him and told him that the harder that I work the “luckier” I get. After thinking it through, I have decided it is more than hard work, but it is definitely not luck. I have combined hard work with blessings from God . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/08/just-lucky-no-way/

I have long been an advocate of the death penalty, but recently I have changed my mind. It just doesn’t make sense to me anymore to take a life to get even for taking a life. To me it is nothing more than trying to achieve vengeance and God instructed us to leave that to Him. Timothy McVeigh’s death did nothing to bring back any of the 168 people that he murdered several years ago. I doubt if the surviving family members got much satisfaction or closure from his death. I’m sure they will continue to mourn their losses just as if nothing has happened. I cannot get this thing off my mind. I agonized over it the weekend, and dreaded writing about it today . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/08/death-penalty-2/

A couple of days ago the Yes/No vote was conducted on our dry county, and it passed in convincing fashion. Both sides had been railing about the subject for months and then came the vote . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/08/too-many-peacocks/

I got on a plane and took my seat next to a guy and when I sat down beside him, he acted like he was irked at being subjected to my mere presence. During the flight he complained about nearly everything and the poor flight attendant appeared as though ready to cry. He was obviously full of himself and maybe something else too, so I immersed myself in my work for the flight . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/08/i-dont-watch-much-tv-2/

Someone has sagely observed that about the time you start getting your head together your body starts to fall apart. My hair is turning greyer, my eyesight is fading and all but gone, I cannot hear very well, and my body has begun its downhill descent, yet wisdom has slowly begun to replace my foolish impulsiveness. I cannot remember how many times I have wistfully stated that I wish I had it all to do over again knowing what I know now. Unfortunately, this is no dress rehearsal, and it is all we will ever get on this earth . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/mature-christians/

I went to a prison ministry event several years ago. It was blazing hot, but hundreds of inmates made decisions for Christ. I was talking to one of the guys and he told me about the crime he committed. I never ask what someone did to get locked up, but he volunteered it, so I listened intently. He got really zonked out smoking marijuana and then thought of a man who owed him some money but wouldn’t pay . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/you-cant-make-it-up-2/

After enduring ridicule for as long as I can remember, I became convinced at a very young age that I was never going to amount to anything and finally I just gave up trying. The only thing I seemed to excel in was being a bad boy, so I embraced it. It led to alcoholism, drug addiction, violent antisocial criminal behavior, bitterness and hatred which led to even lower self-esteem and abject failure in every area of my life. It was no small wonder that I wanted to die and was strongly considering suicide as a viable solution to ending my pain . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/tearing-down-does-not-build-up-duh-2/

I watched the biographies of the Bee Gees with interest the other night. Even though some turn up their noses at what they sneeringly call their “disco” music I really enjoy it. Actually, their record sales have been estimated at over 200 million making them some of the best-selling artists of all time; so I’m not alone . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/despicable-behavior-but-loved/

I thought this was just beautiful. We never know how some small kindness will affect someone, especially those who are lonely and searching for more in their lives, but we should know that people are watching our actions, and the good name of Christian is always at stake . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/sometimes-we-just-to-get-to-sit-with-someone/

Many years ago, a friend asked if he could leave his motorcycle at my house for a few weeks until he got moved. I told him sure thing and then he told me just to treat it like it was mine and ride it whenever I wanted. This was a Kawasaki 1000 and was akin to a rocket ship. So, a few days later I decided to take it for a spin. This bike would burn rubber in three gears and was blazing fast. I lived far out in the country and there was a long stretch of very straight road right around the corner from my house and I decided to see what that baby would do . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2024/07/fools-and-vomit-2/