The auctioneer took a quick breather while staff cleared away from the sale just concluded and brought forth the next item up for bid. When all was in readiness, the mustached man who appeared to be in his early fifties, took a swig or two from a water bottle kept for his use on a shelf to the right of the platform. His presence once more required, he stowed the bottle away, stepped behind the microphone and asked politely for attention. He…
If you are a fan of big-budget Hollywood “blockbusters,” you are probably aware that in the late 1970’s and 80’s, so-called ‘disaster’ flicks were all the rage. Throughout the culture, people seemed to have developed a sudden fascination for witnessing death and destruction on a grand scale, with an insatiable appetite for more. The trend was so strong and by Tinseltown’s fleeting standards so enduring, that social scientists, religionists, pundits and others were becoming concerned. The Zeitgeist had definitely changed. But what was the new…
One of the most powerful, enduring, and universal self-delusions is that there will always be enough time to do the things we want or need to do. If this demonstrably false delusion is challenged, the usual comeback is that if ever we need more time, we shall just have to “find” it. An equally absurd expression is that everyone “makes” time for what’s truly important, as though by some mysterious manufacturing process that’s always on call in event of a shortage. Strangely, these irrational…
Successful people from all walks of life tend to be adept communicators. The best of these learn to stir the emotions as well as the intellect. They become skillful at simplifying complex ideas through storytelling. These stories tap into common experiences from everyday life that establish instantaneous connection with others and serve to highlight or illustrate main ideas. Abraham Lincoln is an acknowledged past master, as was humorist Will Rogers. Examples abound among prominent writers, politicians, entertainers, and teachers—especially teachers. In this category, none is so…
Detainee 756 was well and truly terrified. He had been awakened out of a sound sleep by a booming crash, as his front door was kicked in. Three men burst through the splintered opening and made straight for him, as he rose from his bed and crept down the hall to investigate. His arms were seized and pinned painfully behind him, while a black hood was forced down over his head. Before he could protest or ask any questions, he was hustled downstairs to…
Most anyone who has read war novels or seen films with military themes, is familiar with some version of the following scene. It features a soldier who has drawn guard duty, and hears a noise while on watch, betraying the approach of another person. Sentry: “Halt! Who goes there?” [The challenge is answered by the potential intruder.] Sentry: “Are you friend or foe?” Intruder: “Friend.” Sentry: “Approach and be recognized.” [Intruder emerges from the shadows and presents himself/herself to the guard.] Sentry:…
Jesus of Nazareth was known for shaking things up. He had a positive gift for “comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable” [a phrase credited to humorist Finley Dunne, in regard to the role of the newspaper]. Jesus turned conventional wisdom on its head all right, and he certainly knew how to speak bluntly, as when He told the religious leaders of His day: “…Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly…
At the risk of dating myself, I will tell you that I have always loved books. As a young boy, I once entered a summer reading contest at our local library. My sweet and patient mother (God rest her soul) walked me down there again and again, across the railroad tracks and over a bridge spanning the river, so that we could return one armful and pick up another. I won the contest easily, reading well over 300 titles that summer. [Admittedly, children’s books…
Not to bore you with a lot of history (heaven forbid), but humanity split with its Creator a long time ago. The breakup came over the issue of sin. The Creator called for its avoidance by the total abstinence method. The created disagreed, preferring to explore the wonders of depravity, plumb the depths of misery and experience the thrills & chills of death and disaster. There you have it—irreconcilable differences. For those of you playing the home version of the game, sin is lawlessness. It’s…
Many if not most Americans, even those who have read little or nothing of the Bible, have probably seen or heard the 23rd Psalm. It appears on a host of mass-merchandized products from embroidered pillows and wall hangings to table trivets and coffee mugs. It’s a staple in television shows when the setting is a church service or funeral and pops up in disaster flicks whenever the script calls for a stereotyped religious character to start spouting churchy stuff. Part of its allure…