For those of you who follow the Kim & Jason comic strip, I'm sure you are familiar with Boompa, Kim's grandpa. Jason describes Boompa like this: Boompa is a wise and witty senior who provides answers to some of life’s most challenging questions. A retired carpenter with a heart of gold, Kim’s grandfather is always giving the kids gifts and explaining how things work. He is old enough to know the wisdom that children possess, and always takes time to honor their questions, stories, and ramblings. Despite a lifetime of experiences, Boompa has not yet outgrown his childhood. …
Faith
Joy, Peace, and Hope
Here we are three days from Christmas and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been busy wrapping gifts, checking the lists to make sure nothing has been forgotten, and feeling guilty about not baking any Christmas cookies. I would guess that this has been a stressful week for many. (Or am I the only one?) I had a very anti-"Bah Humbug" joyful experience today, which is just what I needed. I called a hotel group, Choice Privileges, to book some rooms for some upcoming gigs. These days it seems rare and notable to get a real person on the phone. I'm not just talking about automated …
Crazy Horse
Today on my walk I saw something that sparked an inner light bulb to glow. It was this… Did you ever ride one of these as a kid? My horse was faded and the springs were very loose from the many rides my three older sisters took over the years prior to my arrival. When I would go for a ride I experienced a very specific combination of feelings. …
How to Have a Mental Breakdown
Never before has such a thorough, step-by-step guide to your very own mental breakdown been published, be it online or off. If you can master these easy to follow instructions, you too can be the envy of all your friends and find yourself well on your way to a life you've only dreamed of! • Treat traffic jams exactly as they are: carefully planned and sinister conspiracies designed to keep you from your destination. • Pack your day so full that you are not distracted by superficial things like the sunset, the smell of roses, or the toddler smiling at you from across the grocery …
Twenty-Four Hours
The other day I was listening to a song which really spoke to me. It's called "Life Means So Much" by Chris Rice. This verse and the chorus, in particular, really stuck out... Every day is a bank account And time is our currency So nobody's rich, nobody's poor We get 24 hours each …
Does the Pope Have Adultitis?
I can't imagine a guy with the potential for more day-to-day stress, pressure, and overall responsibility than the pope. (With the possible exception of the President of the United States and the committee who decides what colors will be fashionable this season.) Yet somehow, Pope Benedict XVI (that's the sixteenth for all you non Super Bowl fans) manages to stay relatively Adultitis-free. Just last week, the pope gave a speech advising everybody to, um, chill out. Too much work and busyness is no good for the soul, he said. And it can make you stupid, too. I am paraphrasing a bit, but …
In Search For Peace
She’s 39 and a mom of three. Life is busy. Work is challenging. The kids are always on the go. Her husband helps out with household family stuff as much as he can, about as much as she can these days. At the end of the day she is exhausted. She looks forward to the kids going to bed so she can have some peace. Peace doesn’t come easily, though. When she finally sits down on the couch her mind is filled with a list of “to do’s” and demands. She wants to relax. She deserves to relax. It starts with a glass of wine a few nights a week. It’s a small little joy. She soon finds herself drinking a …
Heavenly Thoughts
Tonight Jason and I got a chance to watch ”The Exorcism of Emily Rose” with some friends. It’ll get your heart beating. It’s based off a true story and it is definitely one of those movies that will get you talking. If you're looking to get into a deep conversation about good versus evil, demons, God, heaven, hell, etc., this is your movie! One of the things we talked about afterward was heaven. What were our childhood thoughts on heaven? Had our thoughts changed now that we were all “grown-up?” Our friend said that he asked his mom when he was little if there would be a Nintendo in heaven. …
The Mystery of Childlike Faith
Do kids know more than we give them credit for? Kudos to Marilyn S. for sending me this... P.S. Check out the date. (Click the picture for a full size view.) …
The Funny Man at McDonald’s
The modern world is like a packed, noisy McDonald's restaurant. Imagine yourself sitting in one of its stiff, uncomfortable chairs and eating its unnourishing food. Like a child whose parents are preoccupied, you feel vaguely lonely, bored, edgy. Looking across the room, all at once you see a funny man. His head is cocked sideways and he's making faces at you. You realize he's trying to get your attention. …