The Graphics of Life

Recently, a friend lamented to me that shopping for people was difficult because knowing what to get was practically impossible. I heard her out and tried to be supportive in the moment by offering suggestions for the people for whom she mentioned needing gifts. As the day went on, I began to ponder why shopping for others can be so difficult, because the truth is, I tend to agree. When my pondering was complete, my conclusion was, no one is in need or want of anything’. I remember when I was a kid, it did not seem as though things were as readily available to people as they are today. It used to be that if someone needed or wanted something they saved up and earned it before they bought it. These days however it seems that if people want or need something, they just go buy it…whether they can afford it or not. Yes, the days of waiting and putting needed and wanted items on a Christmas or birthday list seem to be a thing of the slower, treasured past. As I continued pondering, I th...

  Have you ever encountered an injustice and couldn't understand why? Perhaps it was in school with a hateful bully or at the office with a spiteful coworker? You were kind to the person, but they treated you in a cruel way that hurt your heart and soul. It's not an easy thing with which to deal, and after a while your ability to be kind to the person lessens to a point where you start to respond in anger to his or her mean spirit. You are not alone! The truth is, it's easy to fall into that trap. The adage that misery loves company is true. The person you are encountering is so burdened by misery that he or she cannot stand the idea that anyone else could be happy. You are light in their darkness and they are trying to hide you under a bushel. So what do you do? Well, the thing to remember is to control your tongue. Smile and just walk away if you have to. Offer kindness in return for their rudeness if you're able. Try to understand them if at all possible and pra...

  The year 2020 will likely go down in history as one of the strangest years ever recorded. Ask anyone over the age of seven what he or she thinks about 2020 and, chances are, the report or description offered will not accentuate the positives. Why not? Well, simply because it doesn’t seem like there are that many positives to accentuate. It seems like every positive thing in the world has either changed, stopped, been postponed or simply discarded. People are now facing so many more issues, most of which are either government initiated or society driven, and each issue has multiple sides to be taken. Arguments, anger, hatred, distrust and myriad of other hurtful and harmful occurrences are overtaking the minds and hearts of human beings everywhere.  People who were once friends are no longer speaking because they stand of different sides of political issues. Fear is causing people to act out against others who do not see situations the same way they do, thus tearing apart fri...

  I was sitting at my desk on this not so easy day. My burdens weighing so heavy on me that my heart was starting to pound and my thoughts about myself were not very good ones. I couldn't take anymore and I began to cry. As I laid my head down on my desk and let the tears begin to flow, I said allowed to myself, "I'm drowning and no one seems to notice or care". Then, just as the painful thought left my mouth, I heard the sound of a church bell. It was coming from my phone. Recently I had downloaded a new Bible app to my phone and it sends a verse of the day...but never at 11:00. I opened the app and there was a verse: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor. The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 As I read the Inspiration that goes with the daily verse, it talked about heavy responsibility and burdens and how h...

Practically everyone knows that Leap Day comes around every four years. I write 'practically everyone' because there are those select few who fail to pay attention to such things as Leap Day and Daylight Savings and end up early or late depending on the overlooked event. Most people however are prepared when Leap Day comes around. Leap Day is some creative person's solution - many credit Roman Emperor Julius Caesar - to calculating the earth's revolution around the Sun. So, bear with me here, it takes approximately 365.25 days for the earth to revolve around the sun. That .25 adds up to one day every four years. Of course, that is among the simplest of explanations used to explain why February has 29 days every four years. So why is Leap Day so important? Well, it basically comes down to this; if we didn't have a Leap Day every four years, then basically over a 100 year span we would lose around 24 days, which means eventually Winter would be in the Summer and Spri...

Music has always been a source of comfort and inspiration to me. Over the years, certain artists have served as a constant in my musical life, and I find myself seeking out their music when I need calm or cheer. One of those artists is Doyle Lawson, a highly accomplished bluegrass and bluegrass gospel musician. Doyle’s music, to me, is as close to perfect as music can get, and I appreciate his dedication to his craft. Over the span of forty plus years, Doyle traveled the world with his band Quicksilver, creating and playing music that ministered to and positively influenced millions of people. Though he is retired now, his music keeps working. While always important, it seemed that in the later years of his career, Doyle added more gospel music to his repertoire. During my tyme as a radio DJ for a gospel music station in Broadway, Virginia, I happened upon one of those songs. It was an upbeat tune called "The Greatest Creator (of them all)”. Since my show was geared to glorifyin...