Last week, The Washington Post reported on scientific study that highlighted the benefits of owning a dog. Cardiologist Dhruv Kazi wrote: “Dogs offer companionship, reduce anxiety and loneliness, increase self-esteem, and improve overall mood.” This got me thinking. As I sit at my computer to write this devotional, the little, creepy, hairless dog that I … Continue reading October 15, 2019 →

This past week, Shannon and I were on vacation. It was outstanding. The highlight of the week was going to the HOT Fair and Rodeo to watch our four year old grandson, Bruce, get his first shot at mutton busting. In order to make sure Bruce had the full mutton busting experience, we got him … Continue reading October 14, 2019 →

Yesterday, as I walked through the church office, I saw Larry. I said, “Larry, I am glad you are here to write my sermon. It needs to be four typewritten pages, single spaced, theologically sound, entertaining, and with smooth transitions so that I can memorize it.” Then Lucia called out, “Don’t forget the joke. That’s … Continue reading October 3, 2019 →

Yesterday, Norman told me his new hearing aids have become a real problem. Then he went into great detail explaining how sensitive they are and he's not able to sleep through my sermons anymore. So to get back to normal, next Sunday he's going to turn them off. Then Norman told me that he was … Continue reading October 2, 2019 →

Saturday afternoon, I was planting oats when I noticed oil squirting out the side of the tractor. I got exactly half a field planted. That’s not good. Monday morning, as I was explaining my latest farming woe to Jane, she told me that her husband seemed to have spent more time working on his equipment … Continue reading October 1, 2019 →

Yesterday, for the Children's Sermon in worship, I used my welder's helmet to explain how it prevents harmful light from damaging my eyes. And because the helmet allows me to see the right way, I can do the things I need to do. Then I compared the welder's helmet to the Bible and explained that … Continue reading September 30, 2019 →

Rerun from January 22, 2015 Last week, a friend of mine pulled up to the church in a beautiful high performance sports car and took me for a ride. It really was a thing of beauty. As we went roaring down the road, I took a good look at the inside of the car. That’s … Continue reading September 27, 2019 →

This past Sunday, I opened the sermon by telling the worst joke in the history of jokes. To tell you how bad it was, the punch line was: “Hugh and only Hugh can prevent florist friars.” The funny thing was watching members of the congregation react as they realized just how bad the joke was. … Continue reading September 26, 2019 →

Last year at this time, I borrowed Dee’s grain drill to plant a field of oats. Transporting the drill from Dee’s ranch to mine was an adventure, in and of itself, as cars and pickups hit the ditch and women and children cowered in terror. Finally, I made it to our field and no one … Continue reading September 25, 2019 →

Years ago, when we had our horses on a different property, Shannon had gone out to feed after church. At the time she was driving a little Mazda Miata. After being gone for a few hours, Shannon called and said, “I want you to be prepared for what you are about to see. The horses … Continue reading September 24, 2019 →