Author Archives: Jim Gleason

Our country has always had a variety of viewpoints and opinions. But in the last several years we have heard vitriolic voices and experienced violence in these disparate viewpoints. No one seems to want to hear an opinion differing from their own. We all think we know what’s best, but now we are ready toContinue reading “Listening”

We, as Americans, have become a weak people, lacking endurance. It is noticeable every time we run into trouble. At the beginning of an international conflict, we are focused and determined to succeed. Within months, however, the complaining begins and we begin to find fault with the battle plan. Soldiers, who were widely celebrated atContinue reading “Lacking Endurance”

The title phrase refers to a situation where you struggle to do something to no avail. It generally refers to trying to do something that you shouldn’t do. The apostle Paul was found to be kicking against the goad when he was persecuting Christians before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus askedContinue reading “Kicking Against A Goad”

As I look at our country today, I see the appalling lack of good leadership. Oh there are many who can gather a following, but few who lead that following uprightly. Most are driven by their own agendas and desires. What happened to serving the people? I think it is a matter of training inContinue reading “Leadership”

I walk over 12 miles per day. I don’t say that to boast, as it is really not my idea. I came upon this routine quite unexpectedly. I had surgery to remove a brain tumor last March. Two weeks later I was back in the hospital with a blood clot. The clot was related toContinue reading “Walking”

My wife and I consider time with our grandchildren to be one of our most important investments in retirement. We intentionally moved to the midwest to be close to five of our six grandkids. Unfortunately one granddaughter lives in California. We want to have fun with them, sure, but we want to invest in theirContinue reading “Grandchildren”

FoxNews used to use the tag line “The No Spin Network”, implying that they gave the news without bias. We know, now more than ever, that this claim is impossible to perform. It seems that all news reporting comes tainted with the agenda and biases of the reporter and his or hers news company. HeadlinesContinue reading “Spin”

Our attitudes are reflections of our character, values and beliefs. Our attitudes also predetermine how we will react to circumstances. If we are angry or complaining we will not be able to react positively to the next thing that happens. However, if we are at peace with a measure of joy, the next circumstance willContinue reading “Attitude”

The news is all sad and foreboding these days. Everyone can use some good news. Don’t just wait for something good to happen. Instead find a way to encourage someone today. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Just a little encouragement can leadContinue reading “Encouragement”

Every day we make thousands of decisions. Often one decision leads to another and another and so on. Many of these choices are decisions between doing a good thing or doing the wrong thing. Making the choice to do the wrong thing can lead to a series of bad choices. For instance, if we tellContinue reading “Choices”