God Doesn’t Move Parked Cars

While bringing the church service message at the Homestead Speedway on October 22nd prior to the NASCAR race, it struck me how appropriate it was to “bring God to the track.” For openers, as believers we have a defined start/finish line. He determined our arrival, and only He knows the “qualifying time” towards our finish line here on earth. Downshifting and accelerating are an integral part of both the vehicle and the spiritual race. It is imperative to have a competent crew, our “cloud of witnesses,” as we traverse through the deafening noise of society on our way to eternal […]

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On The Run

Paul Harvey’s voice and delivery were exceptional, not to mention the mandatory ending to his daily broadcast. I take monthly license with these articles by utilizing his familiar format; a personal experience followed by a weaving tale until we get to “the end of the story.” And today will be more of the same. Run in the relay There I was in the afternoon gym class prepared to give it all for the team. The coach had broken us into four groups of four for a relay race only available to the swiftest. We were running dead last as I […]

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All’s Well That Ends Well

Manuel Sibila and I entered his Rambler, dialed WKIZ/AM and prepared to start celebrating the end of another school week by listening to tunes. Instead we heard chaotic reporting of an ongoing event that shook the world. As a high school freshman and a recent arrival to this country, it seemed inconceivable to me that the President had been shot and killed that November afternoon. The loss of JFK was a reality check for baby boomers. All of us would always remember where we were when we heard the news; it would never be the same again.  Tradition, transgression and […]

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A Tale of Two Churches

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” The address looked familiar. It was located in the Westchester area of Miami near Florida International University. These were my old stomping grounds, full of friends and acquaintances, where my parents resided. Then I saw the building, and a flood of emotions engulfed me; we were returning to the scene of the crime.  My friend Steve had invited me on several occasions to join him at Sunday service in the new church he was attending. He […]

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The Chosen

The motley crew left a cloud of dust as they walked down the narrow road donning their tired robes and worn sandals. Leading the pack were the spokesman, his brother, the sons of thunder and the recruiter. Following them a short distance behind were the true Israelite, the skeptic, the tax man, followed by anonymity and humility, while trailing them came the “human caboose” consisting of the terrorist and the betrayer. The leader of the “peloton” walked several yards in front of the pack with all the ease and grace of someone in total control of the situation. Unexpected companions […]

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Walk the Walk; Talk the Talk

The kid had it pretty good. His father was a righteous kind man, and he enjoyed a doting mother and several younger siblings. Despite their lack of riches, the family resided in a friendly neighborhood where the children played on the street and the adults parented by committee. However, he faced a formidable foe in the form of his older brother. No matter what he did or how hard he tried, he could never live up to the standards set by the firstborn. He dreamed of the day that his “nemesis” would leave the household and allow him to become […]

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Last Rights

Commonly known as the Chairman of the Board, Ol’ Blue Eyes and the Big Guy, among others, Frank Sinatra and his melodic voice enthralled millions. His reputation among the ladies was unquestioned given his penchant for romantic songs. Yet, a mostly unnoticed theme weaved his way through the lyrics, that of a man coming to grips with his mortality.  Last Words His friend, “The Summer Wind,” is replaced by the autumn and winter winds. At the end of “That’s Life,” he rolls himself in a big ball and dies. Only vintage wine and short days remain as his romantic exploits, […]

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Home Run

We are told that in order to have a successful and orderly existence it would be best to “touch all bases.” And now, as I am rounding third, my mind keeps insisting on taking periodic trips down memory lane, permitting one final glance at the disasters and triumphs of an interesting life. One undisputed fact is that I have garnered a substantial number of “followers” despite a rather sketchy background and a disturbing lack of tact. Conversely, through it all, I can count on one hand those individuals that have left an indelible mark in my life and without whom […]

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