Author Archives: Jim Gleason

The international distress signal is SOS. A cry for help is understood to mean that someone is in distress and we should find a way to help. Our bodies often find a way of letting us know that we are in distress. These signals could be as simple as pain, irritability, nausea, or headaches. TheContinue reading “Distress Signals”

I know that Thanksgiving Day is long gone and that we are all thinking about Christmas now. But this blog is not about the holiday, but rather it is about the act of giving thanks. Our culture doesn’t think much about giving thanks. We are more into complaining. It is socially acceptable to complain aboutContinue reading “Thanksgiving”

There are several commercial building projects going up around us. A Popeye’s Chicken is going up around the corner and a solar farm is under construction down the street. It is interesting to watch these projects progress. You notice that different people with different skills contribute their abilities and knowledge. The timing of each person’sContinue reading “Building Projects”

John Newton was engaged in slave trading while rebelling against the faith of his mother. By his own admission he was consumed with all forms of wickedness. Yet, God called to him in mercy and grace and Newton surrendered to God. Newton then wrote the iconic hymn, “Amazing Grace”. This song speaks of a wretchedContinue reading “Pictures of Grace”

During the pandemic we have changed our habits. Besides social distancing, wearing a mask and washing our hands, we’ve changed how often we go out and where we choose to go. We must really need to go any place we choose to enter. The benefits must outweigh the risks of entering their doors. God givesContinue reading “Enter Here”

We’ve all heard the expressions “good things come in threes” or ” bad things come in threes”. I am not sure if these expressions are true but they are pretty much universally accepted. Whether it be deaths within a family or births, three of these events seem to happen within a short period of time.Continue reading “They Come in Threes”

I went in for my annual health assessment today. All the signs were good and I was pleased. That was just my physical check-up. What about my emotional and mental health? I don’t get those checked very often. In fact, it has been over ten years since those parts of my soul were evaluated. IContinue reading “Check-Up”

The leaves have all fallen and the trees are bare. The fields have all been plowed under so that only the dirt remains. Flowers have wilted until the blossoms of spring. Creeks and ponds are drying up and mud is coming to the surface. The landscape, once colorful, is now mostly shades of brown. TheContinue reading “Barren Landscape”

When our daughter was in middle school, she wanted to be a cheerleader. Frankly, I was hesitant. In my experience, cheerleaders wanted to be seen more than they wanted to support the team and the fans. We relented, however, and she, and the squad, did a good job of supporting the team. It’s funny, atContinue reading “Cheerleading”

Have you noticed the great things that people are doing all around you? On the news, they tell the story of kids starting charities to positively impact those in need. They also tell of the heroic acts of first responders and of lives saved by ordinary strangers. We hear of organizations established to meet needsContinue reading “Do Great Things”