When I was a kid the time between Christmases, vacations, and Fridays seemed like eternity. No longer. The older I get the faster time flies. I’ve done some research and it’s not just me. Many feel time seems to accelerate as they grow older. Some folks, smarter than me, like scientists and psychologists have theories. From a psychological standpoint, some say it’s about perception. The perception of time is heavily influenced by our subjective experiences and the way our brains process information. As we age, our brains become more efficient at processing routine and familiar information, causing the new and novel experiences that once used to stretch time to pass by more quickly. Youth tend to have many new and novel experiences, which are more memorable. As we age, our routines become more established, resulting in fewer novel events, leading to less distinct memories. Life becomes boring. With fewer memorable milestones, our retrospection of time tends to compress, giving the illusion that time has flown by. Anyone who has taken a road trip with kids has experienced their incredibly short attention spans. My wife and I have noticed that we can play a video game or scroll on Facebook […]
Where Have All the Demons Gone?
In Jesus’ life, he encountered demons, numerous times. They recognized who He was; although they seemed confused about his mission. Jesus controlled them by his word banishing them from the humans they were possessing, controlling, or influencing. Jesus gave his disciples the power to do the same. “Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” Matthew 10:1. We don’t hear much about demons these days except from Hollywood. Of course, we also don’t hear much about hell. Have we become too sophisticated to believe in demons? Is this a “better” world in which demons have no influence? Looking around, I doubt that. Back in 1977, Christian artist, Keith Green figured this all out in his song, No One Believes in Me Anymore (Satan’s Boast) Oh, my job keeps getting easierAs time keeps slipping away I can imitate your brightest lightAnd make your night look just like dayI put some truth in every lieTo tickle itching earsYou know I’m drawing people just like flies‘Cause they like what they hear I’m gaining power by the hourThey’re falling by the scoreYou know, it’s getting very simple […]
Mark – It All Starts With Repentance
Yesterday my Thursday morning men’s group decided to start a journey through the Gospel of Mark. Wanting to get a head start, I read Chapter 1. Something hit me in the face: It all starts with Repentance. In Chapter 1 we learn that John the Baptist led the way for Jesus preaching a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4. The first words of Jesus that Mark records: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15″ The modern Christian lingo is a little light on repentance. We talk a lot about “salvation” and being “born again.” Not so much about “repentance.” Our Christian music proclaims “Good News,” being “Redeemed.” We know that “Jesus did it all” and “the battle is already won.” Not much mention of “repentance.” The first step in looking at something like this is to consider the words which are translated “repent” or “repentance.” In the Old Testament, there is “nacham,” which means to turn around or to change the mind. Then there is “sub” used over 600 times and translated as “turn,” “return,” “seek,” or “restore.” In the New Testament, its the Greek […]
Butt Dialer
I have had many titles in my life and I am pretty proud of most of them. Some are based on relationships: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. All pretty cool. Some were based on position: Legalman First Class (U. S. Navy), Pastor, Yes I was a Pastor of a tiny church for a while. It was even smaller when I quit. Attorney – okay that one is a mixture of pride and shame, but you get the idea. Recently my granddaughter told me, “My brother and I only answer the first couple of times you call.” I said, “Why?” She said, “Because after that you are just “butt dialing.” I knew the term. I’m not that old. I just didn’t like the idea of it being applied to me. After some meditation, I realized that folks often call or text me and ask “Did you call?” They are usually nice enough not to sneer: “Butt Dialer” under their breath, but now I get it. The problem is I’m not sure how to stop. I don’t keep my phone in my back pocket so I know I’m not a literal “butt dialer.” I have noticed times when my phone seems connected […]
Lover Fighter
When asked “Are you a lover or a fighter?” I don’t have a pat answer. I guess it depends on where I am in life. I know I’m a lover when it comes to those close to me: my wife of 52 years, my daughter, my granddaughters, and my great-grandkids. But that’s easy. Those are easy to love. In my eyes, they are beautiful and precious. Loving them doesn’t seem justification to crown me a lover. In fact, those relationships would also seem to qualify me as a fighter. Mess with just one of them, and see. I suppose to some groups I may be one or the other. I like to think my clients and the legal opposition consider me a fighter. The folks at church would probably vote more for a lover, I hope. I suppose most of my acquaintances don’t know enough about me to put me in either category. The baristas at Jet or Starbucks based on my witty comments and “generous” tips, think I’m a pretty funny good customer…no love or fight there. I’m not sure what my associates at The Gachassin Firm think. They are lawyers or lawyer-like so I don’t trust what […]
Church is Not Enough
When you think of “church” do you envision a building you go to on Sundays? You know the place. It’s where you go dressed slightly better than you dress during the week. You sit in a group, all facing the same way. You are looking in the same direction so you can see and hear better. You are an observer, a listener. When you think about it, it’s much like going to a movie, a concert, or a town hall meeting. It’s a lot like being in school. You are there to watch and learn. Your participation may include singing along, dropping something in the collection basket, and responding to verbal clues as is customary in your “denomination.” Frankly, your “participation” is minimal and mostly scripted. Modern church is essentially a “school.” It’s participation principally through observation. During the pandemic, many churchgoers learned they could “go to church” without leaving their homes. More dramatically, they learned they could have a “better” “church” experience virtually. From the comfort of their homes, they could dress more comfortably than they did during the week. They could “church” while reading the Sunday paper and having a leisurely breakfast. They could choose from many […]
Is Letter Legal?
Is it “legal” to use letter size paper in legal matters, such as pleadings. Now to the non-legal mind, the answer would seem simple: For legal stuff, use legal paper. What makes legal size paper “legal?” The federal courts abandoned “legal” size paper decades ago. We all know that the feds are smarter than everyone else. The bar should have simply followed along. But apparently that hasn’t happened. I was told this week, “All pleadings that leave this office have to be on legal paper.” I have filed pleadings on “letter” paper for years, thus I was a bit offended by this and, more so, by the follow up, “You should start drafting in legal.” Well, let’s get this straight. In decades of filing on letter paper I have had only I pleading rejected. That was by a court in North Louisiana. Enough said? Last time I was in court in North Louisiana I think the judge was wearing a powdered wig and spoke like Shakespeare. The first time I had opposition to my letter sized filings came from the infamous J. Minos Simon. When I filed on letter sized paper in a case with Minos, he filed a […]
Why Are You Afraid?
Why are you afraid? Notice I didn’t ask if you were afraid. I assumed fear in you. That’s a fair assumption. Although fear is often denied, most are afraid of something. There’s lots to be afraid of. Here are just the “top ten”: Change. Loneliness Failure Rejection Uncertainty Something Bad Happening Getting Hurt Being judged Inadequacy Loss of freedom Admit it. At least one of the above is something you think about. You might not admit that it’s something you fear, but that’s okay. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. Jesus often said, “Fear not” or words to that effect. In one case, he gave us a clue as to how to accomplish that. Before he calmed the sea for the frightened disciples, he asked, “Why are you afraid?” Matthew 8:23-27. Then He calmed the sea. “The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Jesus spoke through his actions: “There is no need to fear. I am here.” The answer to fear, is Jesus. Consider those top 10 fears: Change. We fear change because we’ve become comfortable where we are. Life may not be perfect, […]