Syrup
Recognizing the demonic and the self-centeredness of addictions. Syrup “Get yer Zinger syrup here!” the squealing voice cried. “A special syrup for every need!” Crowds of shoppers gathered around the vendor’s trolley on the street corner to inspect the promising miracle syrup. Some “ooohed” and others grimaced at the high priced bottles. The sharp-nosed, black-capped vendor hustled from one customer to the next, stooping under the trolley then back up again, always with just the right bottle for each desire. Some shoppers crinkled their noses and turned away. Others lingered, glancing furtively over their shoulders, and eventually bought. A…
Sir John Uptown
Pride and being humbled. Sir John Uptown Sir John Upton was an esquire, though the title was unearned. He wasn’t English and he had no hope to be a knight or nobleman. But he felt worthy of the titles “Sir” and “Esquire,” and he added them to his name whenever he wrote it. He practiced—or rather, ruled—law from the Trinitarian pinnacle of the firm, Esquire, Esquire, and Esquire. The name gave proud recognition to his father, himself, and his son, who was actually still in middle school. Sir John—or if you were not well acquainted, it was, “Sir John…
Praying for Rain
We may pray for something but not be happy when we get an answer. Praying for Rain The sky stretched a deep blue from horizon to horizon. Not a cloud. Just blue sky and the sun. Farm fields don’t do well with only sun. The fields of the Smiths, the Joneses, the Andersons, and the McCoys got more dried, cracked, and dusty every day. One night they all got together. “You know,” Smith said in his oversized bib overalls, “we’re goin’ to lose all our crops.” “We gotta do somethin’,” McCoy muttered, his round face contorting behind a handlebar…
Mama Goat and Billy Goat
Faith to trust God through hardship. Mama Goat and Billy Goat Billy Goat followed Mama Goat down the road. Mama Goat looked back. “Billy Goat, follow me, and we’ll go to a big field where the grass is tall and green! To get there we have to climb the hill in front of us.” Billy Goat looked up at the steep hill. A narrow path wound back and forth, sometimes disappearing behind boulders, and sometimes disappearing altogether in its precipitous ascent. “Do you really expect me to go up there?” “Yes, I do. Follow me, and watch where I…
Bronze Man Part 2
When you give of yourself, what could be the possibilities? Bronze Man …continued from Friday, Jan. 18 “To rebuild a city, we need minds to think.” “Now you’ve gone too far, Bronze Man,” growled one. “Yeah,” groused another, “too far. If we give you our minds, you’ll control us. No way. Get out of here.” Still another sniveled, “And for this you will again promise us a new city?” “Yes. You have said it.” “You’re dangerous, Bronze Man,” one shouted. “Get away from our city.” “Who will give me their mind?” Silence fell. A shuffle in the crowd. A…
