“Ye'll tak’ the high road and I'll tak’ the low road and I’ll be in Scotland a’fore ye . . .” Many think that song is about a Scotsman who was headed to the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746 and did not expect to come home. This was the battle when English loyalist troops … Continue reading Which Road Will We Take?
OMG! by Request
I first wrote and published this poem in 2011 and every once in a while someone will asked for a copy or for me to repost it. A recent conversation concluded with a suggestion to repost this one more time. OMG! © Scott McCown March 7, 2011 "Oh my God," the psalmist declares, Composing praise … Continue reading OMG! by Request
Relieving the Stress
You realize you locked your keys in the car, panic sets it, you are going to be late, how could you have done this . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . but then you notice a window is rolled … Continue reading Relieving the Stress
So. Many. Choices!
In Western Civilization, specifically the United States, we live in an age of consumerism. Take a walk down a grocery aisle and look at the choices we have. Let’s just start with tomatoes. You have a choice between grape, cherry, Roma, Heirloom, Big Boys and more, then with each of the varieties you have vine-ripened, … Continue reading So. Many. Choices!
Indifference is Dangerous
We were in a grocery store when another customer dropped a bag of chips. Looking down at the chips, he took his right foot and kicked the bag partway under the shelves and grabbed another bag for his shopping cart. A few days later, I was in a super-store and noticed a spill. Someone had … Continue reading Indifference is Dangerous
The Danger of Satisfaction
Only three tables had customers at lunchtime on Monday, but the expectations from each table could not be different. The retired couple at the first table came in every day at lunch and ordered the same thing. He had grilled chicken, cornbread, with fried okra and she had beef-tips and rice with a roll and … Continue reading The Danger of Satisfaction
Becoming an Encourager
Walking in close to time to start, we selected seats that were empty hoping no one claimed them as their regular seats. We know church folks like their regular seats, and we were visitors. Worship began as we all stood for a song that signaled for the chatter of conversation to end. As our voices … Continue reading Becoming an Encourager
At the Cross
Nine-year-old Bryan lived in a little village not far from London. Bryan's parents were agnostics, but they felt that at least once in his life, he ought to go to church. That is why they dressed him up in a little black suit and black bow tie and asked the governess to take him. That … Continue reading At the Cross
shame
“Those people at the church, aren’t like me. They have their lives all together and they don’t have struggles like I do.” If he only knew. If he only knew. She was there – every time the doors opened. She taught children’s classes. In worship she sang with a joy of someone forgiven. She lived … Continue reading shame
Why is that STONE in YOUR Hand?
He sat down in the waiting room a few minutes before his annual physical. Just as he was about to pick up one of the magazines, she spoke. “You look like someone I can talk too,” she said. He replied that he could be a good listener. They were the only two within earshot and … Continue reading Why is that STONE in YOUR Hand?