I am never so ordinary that I could be put into a category...yet I like to think I'm a bit more creative than not. Breathing deep I clear my head in an attempt to control clarity, which at this point on this sunny spring morning tries to elude me. Though nearly lunch, the coffee in my printed mug is tastefully warm and inviting. My pen is new. The paper is blank. Hopefully, interruptions will be few.

At some point this morning I would like to solve the problems of the Universe...understand why I was made. I will understand why we are all made to endure such strenuous hardships. There is something major going on here. The music dictates it. The world breathes it. The people walk it. I imagine a world where nothing is taken for granted, where the community works as a healthy, loving organism with the ability to stay in tune with itself and it's environment like a Steinway in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra playing Mozart. Or, Bach.

The coffee cools, as do the dreams.

 "I cannot but imagine something better for myself," he finishes.   The last of the night disapears into the golden yawn of morning.  It is the first day in a week that rain has not inhabited the skies.  The sun, like a mountain of molten fire from a volcano rising from the depths of the ocean thrusts it's way above the pine forest.  They have been up most of the night.  Conversation about thier evening visitor ran an unusual course, twisting and turning like …

He stands perplexed at the brink of midnight.  Sunday approaches, and the only thing left he has is hope...as if one would need anything else?  Gone are the comfortable paddings and trappings of social pleasantries and stability.  Gone is the raimnent of facade.   The cool breeze dances between the rain droplets like Fred whirling Ginger.  It is cooler now.  The dry summer months are over, and the rain now pouring is a blessing.   "What do the cards hold?" she …

Why do we paint a preconceived picture in our minds?  Good and bad...it's still there.  Why do we paint that picture for other people, so as to lead them on a mental path on the direction we have already determined for them (and for ourselves)?  Why must we categorize everything in little boxes, all nice and neat for all the people to see, yet keep the dirty, secret ones safely hidden (or destroyed)?  Why must we judge another based on our own preconceived thought processes (knowing …

Another Christmas has come and gone.  Memories of sweet, innocent blue eyes looking up to me with total trust made me realize the heavy responsibilities we as parents, citizens, and Christians alike share.  This is the time of the year that the entire world's population looks to the Christian community with scrutiny.  What do they see?   I was standing in line at my local Wal-Mart this thursday evening (the-day-before-the-day-before-Christmas...a holiday in and unto itself!)  I …

 I missed last Sunday, and this happens to be night...so do I get points counted against me?  Probably not.  (It wasn't graded anyway!) An eventful two weeks, though.  I've been spending time walking with God, and getting to know the trusting of Him, and how my best interests are always His first concerns. Point and case:  I can admit to a bit of sullenness at my life.  Why have these misfortunes happened to me?  I mulled them over in my head, trying to grasp their …

The quiet of the morning calms me.  I sit peacefully behind my laptop enjoying the gentle ringing of the wind chimes swaying in the cool December breeze.  Christmas tree is up.  Later in the afternoon I will have the pleasure of fighting with the 70 (0r so) feet of lights for the front of the house.  (Now I know why some people leave them up all year long!  At least I leave the nails in...) Christmas. Christmas is a joyfully lonely time.  I mean that as a conundrum. …

Another Sunday, and I'm very tired.  All the energy my wife and I use to take care of the little ones are taking a toll on us...they've got me against the ropes!  One...two...ten. Down for the count.  Another Sunday morning.  Church.  Life is all good.  I've been listening, lately.  Not that I don't usually listen...it's just that I put back into practice proactive listening.  I found that the more I listen, the more I learn.  The more I learn , the better …

Another Sunday morning... I'm sitting here at my computer with a hot cup of coffee, waiting for my wife to get out of the shower.  (Waiting, so she can ask me what for lunch.  Waiting, so I can change another diaper.  Waiting for her to ask when I'm getting off this thing.  Waiting...)  She suggests hamburgers, with bread.  Funny how I hated that as a kid.  Now I realize that as our family grows, so our pocketbook diminishes accordingly and incrementally.  I …