And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:13
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel gave the commencement speech at the US Naval Academy Friday, May 23rd, 2014. I don’t know Hagel well and don’t really have any bones to pick with him but I found his call to the Academy graduates interesting. The US military, in high and low ranks, has continued to make... Continue Reading →
I read a book recently and was so encouraged by it I wanted to introduce you to it and it’s author. You might be surprised by the title and subject, maybe not, but whatever preconceptions the subject initially arouses in your mind I believe you’ll find the story rewarding and encouraging, should you decide to... Continue Reading →
`Would you tell me,' said Alice, a little timidly, `why you are painting those roses?' Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. Two began in a low voice, `Why the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have been a RED rose-tree, and we put a white one in by mistake; and if... Continue Reading →
I enjoy reading USA Today newspapers occasionally— it's usually on a Friday when I head to the coffee shop to read and write. While I do at least skim most of the paper, truth is I'm really in it for the crossword puzzles. These puzzles, like the rest of the medium, are for "everyman"— hard... Continue Reading →
I've never seen an episode of Duck Dynasty but I'm familiar with all things ducky and Robertsonian (i.e., the family now famous for their duck calls, books, and television show). Family patriarch Phil Robertson made comments about homosexuality and the Bible's treatment of same in GQ magazine, and the feathers began to fly in the... Continue Reading →
Reading the Creation account in Genesis 1 this morning, my mind was wandering into the realms of arguments against a "literal" reading of this much assailed text. Conventional wisdom from the fields of the sciences hold that the Creation story can't be read as real history since it doesn't appear to allow for what we "know"... Continue Reading →
Confession: I'm not a fan of all things Southern, as in the Southern states in these United States. Southern heat and humidity; cuisine preferences that include grits, okra, and collard greens; and overweight, middle-aged men with word pronunciations that sound uneducated to these Midwestern ears— these are some of my less than desirable stereotypes of the... Continue Reading →
In sixth grade I discovered the beauty of a speckle-breasted bird feeding in our yard, and I've been fascinated with birds ever since. I knew robins, blue jays, cardinals, sparrows, and starlings, of course, but this bird was a stranger to me. He was also so beautiful with his dark mustache, long pointed bill, spotted... Continue Reading →
Writing on the proposed United States Constitution in 1787 Benjamin Franklin said: ...I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I... Continue Reading →
This province was first settled by (and a majority of the assemblies have ever since been of) the people called Quakers, who, though they do not, as the world is now circumstanced, condemn the use of arms in others, yet are principled against bearing arms themselves; and to make any law to compel them thereto,... Continue Reading →
Applied Heart 