In true fashion Andy arrived right on time.  He was never early, never late. Before he could even sit down he cautioned me, “We don’t have much time.” “Fine by me,” I answered.  Every week or two we met at the end of a day “just to stay in touch.” This afternoon it was obvious neither of us had arrived with the plan of unpacking an agenda.

As time passed it was probably shocking, maybe even disappointing for many of his followers to learn that conclusion was not original to Dylan. Thousands of years earlier Jesus States the proposition this way: “No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”(Matthew 6:24 NASB)

Here is where we left off…….

Real life is complicated and does not lend itself to simple explanations. Circumstances and events aren’t always possible to reconcile with our sense of justice. Sometimes we might never know why things happen.  Why do people suffer?

When a friend learned I was spending most of my time at home, he correctly assumed I would have an increased amount of “free time.” To help me use that time productively he generously offered to enroll me in something known as “MastersClass”. 

Accurately predicting the future is often a complicated venture; however, occasionally it is an easy endeavor.  For example, over the last two weeks weather experts have warned us to get prepared for the coming monsoon season.

The 4th of July has always been my least favorite holiday.  I enjoy it even less than Arbor Day.  Don’t get me wrong, I esteem and appreciate what we commemorate; but heat, the crowds, the mosquitoes…Yuck.   John Adams recognized not just the importance of the signing of the Declaration but he also he seemed to anticipate its significance to future citizens. 

On May 25th Sandy and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.  It’s ok. You missed your opportunity to send a gift card or a present, but now you have more than sufficient warning for next year.  

I am writing this note to you on Memorial Day.  This is a day set aside to honor the men and women who gave their life in the service of our country. However, in a far less significant way, Memorial Day has also become the “unofficial” start of summer.  So, among other things, it is now permissible to begin wearing those white shoes and clothing. Summer makes me think ….school is out, it is almost watermelon season, the beach, the mountains, the value of air conditioning, finding a tree to park under, you get the point.  You can construct your own list.