Ale for the Soul

                Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.           Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.           But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what ...

Over a week ago my step-father, mother, and brother travelled to Fort Worth for a visit.  To attend a family wedding was exactly the reason we needed to make for a time of fellowship.  Before parting our separate ways, we went phone shopping.  I felt plum fancy when I walked out of the AT&T store with a new Apple I-Phone.  Except for work, I really have no need for such a high-tech device; however, it finally felt good to at least be counted among the Joneses in this regard.  (Normally I wouldn't care one iota about what other people have and I don't.)  Fast forward a little over one week later.  Yesterday, after pulling in to the apartment's parking area, I stepped out to check the mail before heading upstairs to the apartment and the day's end.  For those who know me really well, I have the worst luck.  Murphy's law seems to come looking for me.  Not only if it can go wrong, it will go wrong, and it will happen to me regardless of ...

Years ago I was involved with the Walk to Emmaus retreat, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, at Cathedral Oaks near Weimar, Texas.  At the very end of the weekend, we were sent off to our perpetual "fourth day", signifying the fourth day after Good Friday, the following Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday.  The "fourth day" was to show the impact the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus had on our lives.  This previous weekend was the Passion of Christ.  How has the display of love penetrated and shown through my life?  How will it continue to show Jesus to those I come in contact with around me?  First, a personal relationship with Jesus is in order.  Secondly, hearing God's call on your life will test your obedience and willingness.  Both of these are the initial steps to ensuring blessed-filled "fourth days".  God's gift to humanity wasn't intended to become mediocre or mundane, to collect dust as a showcase of non-importance in our lives. ...

"He is risen...He is risen indeed!"  This phrase marked the beginning and ending of the church worship service last night.  Yes, today is Easter.  A time to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus the Messiah.  Believers in Jesus have more than enough cause to rejoice as Jesus conquered sin and death to redeem humanity on earth.  If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, Christians are to be a people most pitied.  The good news is overwhelming, abundant evidence proves the tomb is empty and Jesus was a very real person living among us.  To read these proofs and evidence, please read Evidence That Demands A Verdict Vol. 1 & 2 by Josh McDowell, The Case For A Creator by Lee Strobel, and The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel.  These are very detailed in the author's research and do not constitute an easy or fast read.  If you, the reader, is genuinely curious about knowing Jesus, please read these books, as well as a copy of the Holy Bible. ...

Roughly five years ago, I began attending Christ Chapel Bible Church.  A little over one year ago, I solicited for and became a member.  Now having a job which allows for most weekends off, I anxiously look forward to attending church every Sunday.  For Easter, the church instituted three worship services during Saturday evening and three during Sunday morning.  I opted for the 5 p.m. worship service this evening.  In the twelve years I called Houston home, I enjoyed attending Saturday evening services at two of the three churches I regularly attended.  Saturday services were always my preference for frequenting the doors of the church.  So when the opportunity to worship on a Saturday evening at Christ Chapel Bible Church became a viable option, I immediately jumped on it.  The Holy Spirit used the music to lead me and the congregation in worship, and the preaching really fed the soul.  There is never any doubt upon attending any number of t...

About a year ago, there was another holiday called National Siblings Day.  I wonder if this is the same holiday simply re-branded.  Anyway, I do have two siblings: one older sister and one younger brother.  We are far enough apart in age to have watched the other grow up from a baby to adulthood.  My sister watched me grow up from day one, just as I was able to watch my brother grow up from literally the day he was born.  Each of us has a very special relationship, starkly different, with the other.  (This is meant very positively.)  I am extremely thankful for both my sister and brother.  We are now living miles apart, but we still maintain strong family ties and visit when we can.  As the years pass by, and we grow older, the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood grow ever stronger.  If you have siblings, don't neglect or take for granted their presence and influence in your life.  One day all of us will meet death.  If we all k...

Today marks the commemoration of the crucifixion and death of the Lord Jesus the Messiah.  I must acknowledge the willingness of Jesus to obediently follow the will of God the Father.  If He wasn't willing, then it presupposes neither Jesus or God was fully in control of events on earth.  However, nothing was outside their knowledge and fore-ordination.  Everything went in accordance to the divine redemptive plan of salvation.  The running question is, "Then why is it called Good Friday?"  It is called Good because of what happens during this time culminating in the resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.  Conquering sin and death proved the sovereignty of God and His overarching plan for humanity.  The death and burial of Jesus on Friday did seem despairingly dark and bleak, but Sunday was coming.  When life seems dark and without hope, wait for God and His divine timing.  He knows best, and will not leave us in such times of app...

From a cardboard hovel in a darkened street To the well-lit windows of a penthouse suite All are desperate souls with a human fate And we protect ourselves within the walls we make And I stand in a corner now in my house of rest And bow my head, beat my breast and say "God please forgive me for this sinner's heart Though you show me your mercy It's the same old story keeping us apart" And we all feel lost sometimes And we all feel hurt inside And we all cry and we all need The redeeming love of Jesus And I was raised down the lessons and the victory speech And I fought for the standards that I could not reach And I hold my tongue when the pain is great And I cover my tears as we celebrate While a private war rages with the fear and the doubt As I try to run faster to find a way out I'm convinced if I stumble they'll just cast me aside And mock at my weakness and shatter my pride 'Cause I've watched as we've stoned The more hesitant s...

Only recently have I discovered the history and meaning behind this spiritual holiday.  Of course I figured it had something to do with Easter, but I never took the time to really read anything on it.  This morning, out of curiosity, I submitted a Google search on Maundy Thursday.  The day is given in dedication to the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, soon to be apostles.  But it is also so much more than this.  In the context of this last meal together, Jesus teaches His followers about true servant-hood through washing their feet.  Knowing He would get beaten to a pulp and crucified the next day, I am amazed at the composure and fortitude of Jesus.  He is the best and greatest role model to emulate.  Each morning as I pray and read the Bible, I ask for God to feed me the Bread of Life and the Living Water.  This is none other than Jesus Himself.  There is so much I could write about, but I will conclude with the comforting fact...

          NO man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if entertaining, as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth   my   sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.  And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject, ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself a...

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. Psalms 14:1-2 People who refuse to believe in God are on dangerous ground.  The Apostle Paul states in the book of Romans (1:20), "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."   As a result, they better enjoy their time on earth because this is the closest to heaven they will ever get.  Their spiritual destination is a place called Hell, an eternal separation from God.  At the time of death, it will be too late to believe in the one who created us.  The sad truth is the w...

It looks as if I can really come out of the closet on this one.  Yep, I am a flaming bibliophile, for today is National Bibliomania Day!  For the curious but unknowing, that means crazy for and lover of books.  Several years ago, my then roommate told me about a dream he overheard me having.  At one point I yelled out, "Books!  I need more books!"  This gave rise to much laughter at how true those statements were, even if spoken during a dreamlike state.  In fact, you ought to see the apartment in which I presently live.  One of the many points of pride is the vast amount of books on display, showcased in several fair-sized bookshelves.  The amount is ever-growing, especially when I stumble across a book or two at a thrift store or garage sale.  Most people who have sizable personal libraries, such as mine, are also avid readers as well.  Now my books aren't elaborate first editions or the rare find by some obscure author.  The...

Yep, it's that time of year again to welcome new beginnings.  Today is the first official day of spring.  In order to help out my boss at work, I agreed to service two stores outside of my normal merchandising route.  Thankfully I was finished by Noon, in time to welcome the arrival of family to Fort Worth.  This was an event to look forward too as I am usually the one making the trek to parts here, there, and yonder in order to visit and fellowship with family.  We immediately ate a late lunch, and I helped them to check in to and get settled at the hotel.  By late afternoon, we went our separate ways to get cleaned up for my cousin's, Mom's nephew's, wedding this evening.  It was a simple ceremony with lots of festivities afterward.  By 10:30 p.m., way past this author's bedtime of 7 p.m., I was exhausted and so thankful upon hearing the news Mom and gang was ready to call it a night.  Whew, I was tired!  In dropping them off back at t...

Saint Patrick's Day is always a lot of fun.  Wearing some sort of green on your body so people won't pinch you, drinking green beer or Guinness, and having a lot of fun bar-hopping earning green jewelry.  The history behind the patron saint and the subsequent holiday is rather fascinating.  I won't re-hash all of it, but I will highlight a few curious points of fact.  The original color of the holiday was not green but blue.  Saint Patrick was credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland.  But it's interesting at the time of his alleged act there were absolutely no snakes in the entire isle.  Really it is a metaphor for driving all the non-Christians out of the country.  Interesting, huh?!  Religious or not, the story of Saint Patrick is a great read, if nothing else, for a bit of a history lesson.  Whatever your plans for the holiday, be sure to have fun but stay safe.  As for me, I am done for the day as I am now at the apa...

Think of all the times you've fallen victim All the restless nights you've wrestled through The closest of your friends abandoned, helpless They're reaching but they're just not reaching you You hold no valid thoughts of consolation The future holds no interest, no concern The world you love is closing in around you Clearly now there's nowhere left to turn Blessed are the tears that fall Clean the windows of the soul And usher in a change of heart And bring a joy that angels know The time has come to share your well-kept secrets The hatred and guilt degrading you I'm sure you blame yourself for all that's happened This time there's just no way that it's true You need to know you've got a friend in Jesus You need to know he felt rejected too Humiliating pain and unjust treatment He's been there so he knows what you've been through Blessed are the tears that fall Clean the windows of the soul And usher in a change of heart And bring a joy t...

** Speech given at Toastmasters.** Many years ago one of my maternal uncles began tracing his genealogy.  At one point, his endeavors involved travelling to places where various people in the family lived seeking how they invested in their particular community.  This prompted a desire to know who my family was.  Growing up, I would hear my father tell stories of different family members, what they accomplished in life, and certain family members’ notoriety, the proverbial skeletons in the closet.  So when I discovered Saturday, March 12, 2016 was National Genealogy Day, I resolved to finally get down to brass tacks in researching my family tree.  My efforts up to this point were rather lackluster and downright pathetic.  I often would tell people I was a genealogical artisan, but honestly I hadn’t done much in regard to piecing together my family tree.  The purpose of the next few minutes is to provide a How to… on getting started in one’s genealogi...

"Beware the Ides of March," cautioned the soothsayer in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.  This time of the month, particularly during March, has almost become the equivalent to the ominous Friday the 13th.  If the reader has any superstitions or prone to bad luck, you may consider calling in sick to work, staying at home, and not opening the front door till midnight tonight.  The Ides of any month occurs typically around and including the fifteenth day, depending upon the phases of the moon.  So the Ides do not only occur in March.  People are simply more familiar with the Ides of March because it is forever linked with the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.  May I also suggest a few more Ides of notoriety.  First, Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14th, 1865, and died on the Ides of April.  Also, the Titanic sunk on the Ides of April in 1912.  So there are grounds for making the Ides of the month more unlucky than the traditi...

Six Rules on How to Be Successful 1. Trust yourself 2. Break some rules 3. Don't be afraid to fail 4. Ignore the naysayers 5. Work like hell 6. Give something back. Well, thank you very much.  Hello, everybody. What a great introduction, what a wonderful thing. What a great, great welcome I'm getting here, so thank you very much. I mean, I haven't heard applause like that since I announced that I was going to stop acting.   But anyway, it is really terrific to see here so many graduate students and undergraduate students graduating here today. I heard that there are 4,500 graduating here today, undergraduate students, so this is fantastic. There are 2,200 men, 2,300 women and five have listed yourselves as undecided.   So this is really a great, great bunch of people here, I love it. But seriously, President Sample, trustees, faculty, family, friends and graduates, it is a tremendous privilege to stand before you this morning. There's nothing that I enjoy more than...

The definition of genealogy is: a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor, or the study and tracing of lines of descent or development.  My mother's brother, my uncle Gary, began researching his family tree many years ago.  At a point it involved travelling to different states and cities to research and solidify his findings.  What he has found is rather exhaustive, and I am amazed at his discoveries.  Often I tell people I am the artisan of genealogical efforts, but my efforts have been very poor and often lacking.  There isn't much excuse other than it does take money to travel, research, and gather resources.  (People aren't going to provide books and copies free of charge.)  In spite of this, I have made a few discoveries of my own.  I won't go in to detail so as to feed my ego or pride; however, I do strongly encourage each of my readers to begin piecing together your family story.  A common question may be, "How do I begin?...

What is your middle name?  There are a few people I know who either don't have a middle name or have two or more.  Odd?  Maybe.  My middle name is Elliott.  Look at that closely.  It has two l's and two t's.   At my last place of employment, there were two other people who also had Elliott incorporated in to their name, but their version was spelled differently.  My middle name is a paternal family name after my grandfather.  His first name was Elliott.  In researching the origin and history of the name, there wasn't much definitive as the Elliott clan of England (Scotland?) had their records burned in a great castle fire many centuries ago.  However, one consensus is the meaning in Greek and English uses of the name is: Jehovah is God, my God is Jehovah, and God on High.  How appropriate!  Does this meaning apply to me?  Most definitely!  I am a firm believer in God.  What does your middle name mean? ...

Well, we took the long way home, but we finally got here. And I want to congratulate President Bush, and remove any doubt about where we stand: The primaries are over, the heart is strong again, and the Buchanan brigades are enlisted–all the way to a great comeback victory in November. Like many of you last month, I watched that giant masquerade ball at Madison Square Garden–where 20,000 radicals and liberals came dressed up as moderates and centrists–in the greatest single exhibition of cross-dressing in American political history. One by one, the prophets of doom appeared at the podium. The Reagan decade, they moaned, was a terrible time in America; and the only way to prevent even worse times, they said, is to entrust our nation’s fate and future to the party that gave us McGovern, Mondale, Carter and Michael Dukakis. No way, my friends. The American people are not going to buy back into the failed liberalism of the 1960s and ’70s–no matter how slick the package in 1992. ...