“The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old broken-down toolhouse.” So began Barbara …
I love a good story, and rabbis (teachers of Judaism) often have some of the best because they usually have a little twist in telling the truth, like the one about the nine men and a goat. In his book How to be Decadent, journalist George Mikes has this version: a man comes to a wise rabbi …
It was Sunday afternoon, October 27, 1974. Lori and I found a parking spot at the Sonic Drive-In in Altus, Oklahoma, and ordered two drinks. We were nervous teenagers on our first date. We listened to the music over the drive-in’s intercom as I sipped my Dr. Pepper and Lori her ice water (always with …
“The true Christian does not hunger and thirst for his own political party to get into power.” I was reading those words the day after the presidential election. They are from the pen of Charles Spurgeon, the prince among 19th-century English preachers. I immediately thought about how often I had delved into the news about …
The desire to strike off into the wilderness while feeling the tug to stay close to home can be conflicting. We want the thrill of the venture with the guarantee of a safe path back to the campsite. The way back is not always clear, we remind ourselves. So, we stay stuck in our mode, …