Columns

“You don’t seem like a preacher, at least not a typical one. You’re ‘the real deal.’”

The comment, coming from an inmate in jail, I took as a compliment, although I frequently ask myself if I’m really real.

His comment was followed by a question: “How did you ever get to be a preacher in the first place?

I was tempted to ask, “Do you think I should have been something else?”

Christmastime brings lots of emotions, from the joy of seeing friends and family to the sadness of not seeing those who have died and aren't here anymore.

And while the sights of Christmas should bring jolliness and good tidings, for others it's just plain sad.

This Christmas was a first for me - the first I have had without any grandparents. There was no driving through the woods to get to grandmother's house.

For all the joy and hope Christmas brings to some, it can mean the searing pain of loneliness to others.

I had just pulled onto I-65 at the Franklin exit when I saw a hitchhiker holding a sign that said "Chicago."

My wife's words were echoing in my ears, "Don't pick up strangers when you're out on the road."

Wives are like that. But he looked too old to be much of a threat. Besides, there was a nasty looking cloud moving in from the west. I pulled over and stopped and he climbed in beside me.

I used to work with someone who would on rare occasions step into my office and ask, "Can we talk?"

I immediately knew something was seriously amiss and therefore needed to be addressed in order to avoid potentially disastrous consequences.