Category: Life

August 1 – The Ashes!

slips and a gully
mid on, mid off, driven left
and there is no run

Imagine if every two years, Michigan and Ohio State told that sporting world that they were taking time for a private contest.

Then for five weeks, they played a match that was the best of five games.

The games wouldn’t be sanctioned by the Big 10 or the NCAA.

This was a just between them and they were going to play.

That is the Ashes.

A private sporting contest between England and Australia every two years, alternating between countries.

And its test match cricket.

Five days are reserved for play.

Two sides of 10 batters and all 10 batters bat until they are out for one inning and there two innings.

Breaks for lunch, tea and drinks.

And don’t tell me that cricket doesn’t keep up with the times.

This year, for the 1st time ever, players have names and numbers on their … jumpers.

July 31 – New transformations

New transformations
confront a common focus
creative freedom

Will not the good people respond to a united, and earnest appeal from us?

Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly, or so speedily, assure these vital objects?

We can succeed only by concert.

It is not “can any of us imagine better?” but, “can we all do better?”

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.

The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion.

As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.

We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.

Abraham Lincoln
Annual Message to Congress —
Concluding Remarks
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 1862

July 30 – New day, each day comes

New day, each day comes
chance perfectly marvelous
hopeful, possible

I could start my day taking a yellow pad and drawing line down the center.

At the top of the left side of the pad, I could write BAD.

At the top of the right hand side, I could write GOOD.

I could fill the left hand side as fast as I could write, with my handwriting getting worse and worse as I try to keep with the all the thoughts pouring, like black and red flaming lava, out of my mind.

Then I could stop.

Take a sip of coffee.

Take two sips of coffee.

I could look at the right hand side of the pad.

I would see that, that side of the pad was blank.

See nothing good.

Or.

Nothing but possibities.

Perfectly marvelous.

July 28 – Slow Sunday Mornings

Slow Sunday Mornings
Wake up late, wait for coffee
privileged lifestyle


It’s the simple things, right?

Quiet Sunday Morning and I can sleep in late and read while the coffee percolates in the cool of the living room.

A piece of toast with blueberry jam from up north.

Then off to Church.

Perfect way to start the week.

What could be more simple.

Starting the preaching a little early, I hope I never lose the insight that this simple start is so very, very privileged.

Home, shelter, food, leisure, job to experience leisure, love of family, friends and wife, loving and benevolent God and gracious Savior.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” says Luke (12:48 KJV)

Been given so much.

Better not forget.

It’s simple.