IT'S VETERANS DAY

 

Our active duty veteran--  Josh

Today is a day to honor veterans. We have an active duty veteran in our family—Josh—married to our granddaughter Samantha. We are very proud of him and grateful for his service.

On Sunday, our church recognized veterans in a touching tribute, and now, throughout Spokane, various events are taking place to honor them once again. It’s wonderful to see our community come together in appreciation. If you’re local, check out this website for details. Even “Play It Again Sports” in the Spokane Valley, 15412 East Sprague Avenue, Suite 12, is hosting a special event today—what a great way to see different groups show support.

As I reflect on all this, I’m filled with gratitude. I deeply admire these brave men and women and am thankful we have a day set aside to honor them.

Thinking back, I’m reminded of my own small connection to military life. Many years ago, when I attended EWU, I was an ROTC Sponsor and even served as the honorary colonel, commander of the Sponsor Corps. Those were exciting days—marching in parades, attending “Rifle Meets,” and supporting the cadets at various events. We Sponsors were proud to play a part in encouraging these dedicated future officers.

Back then, before women could officially join as officers, one of the few ways we could be recognized was by running for Military Ball Queen. Below are photos of the queen candidates from 1966—a cherished memory and a reminder of how times have changed.

It truly was a fun and meaningful time to be part of the ROTC community. I'm thankful for it. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
— James 1:17

IT ISN'T SAD MOVIES THAT MAKE ME CRY-- IT'S NEW TECHNOLOGY

 

Mad scientist

My wonderful family wants me to have the best of everything. Unfortunately, that often involves change — and change is not my strong suit.

This weekend, for example, my beloved iPhone 6s was pried out of my hands (with my reluctant approval) and replaced with a shiny new 16e. I know, I know — progress is good. But as soon as I start getting comfortable with one gadget, another upgrade appears on the horizon.

As if that weren’t enough, our Select Comfort king bed also got an upgrade — adjustable mattresses this time. It’s not that I dislike these improvements; it’s just that my brain doesn’t adapt as quickly as the technology does.

Take my nighttime podcast routine. It used to be so simple: grab my wired earbuds, plug in, and listen. Now, it’s an entire production. I have to fish my fancy wireless earbuds out of their little case, twist them the right way, and somehow get them into my ears — all in the dark. Half the time, I’m not sure if they’re even on.

Then I remember — there’s always help nearby. When all else fails, I can just ask ChatGPT.

Because as Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Maybe this is my season to learn — slowly, reluctantly, but with a little laughter along the way.

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY

Lutheran church Gothenburg, Sweden photo by Chris

Martin Luther (1483-1546) posted 95 theses, on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517.  Thus started the Protestant Reformation. 

What caused the ruckus was his reading of Romans.  Romans 1:17 states--  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:17 revealed to Luther that righteousness before God is a gift received through faith, not something earned through good deeds or church rituals.This insight led him to reject the idea that salvation could be influenced by indulgences—payments to the Catholic Church that were said to reduce punishment for sin. Luther’s famous 95 Theses were written largely in protest against the sale of indulgences. He argued that forgiveness and salvation are entirely God’s grace, not something that can be bought or earned.

 As the Bible was translated into many languages people were able to read the Bible for themselves.   

If you haven't already -- pick up a Bible and read it for yourself.  You will be glad you did.

Acts 17:11  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

ABIDING

Me downtown Spokane about 1945

Spokane, WA was called the Inland Empire. Dad jokingly called it the “ingrown empire.” It was kind of a little big town — small enough that people knew each other, yet large enough to feel important. The city grew up around the Spokane River and became a center for lumber, agriculture, and banking.

Although my parents grew up in the area, our own family never lived there. Still, Spokane held a special place in our lives. We would visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins about once a year, and each trip carried its own memories and traditions.

One of the highlights of downtown Spokane was The Crescent Department Store. It was a favorite shopping destination for many. The store offered just about everything you could imagine—men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel; shoes; millinery (hats); furs; furniture; rugs; heating stoves and ranges; and all kinds of home goods, or “housewares,” as they were called then.

Among the many departments was the Record Department, where my mother-in-law, Rita, worked. She sold sound equipment and records to music lovers from all over. It wasn’t unusual for customers to hum a tune and ask her to find the record that matched. One day, however, a customer puzzled her by asking for a “monorail record.” Rita was baffled—until she realized the woman really wanted a monaural record!

Life at the Crescent was never dull. One particularly memorable day, a woman approached the record counter with a stack of albums and presented a Crescent Credit Card. Rita glanced at the name and froze—it read Isabel Stowell, my grandmother’s name. When Rita asked about it, the woman confidently claimed to be a granddaughter. Following the Crescent’s rule that “the customer is always right,” Rita completed the sale—but something didn’t sit right.

As soon as she could, Rita called me to ask if I had a cousin by that name. When I said “no,” she immediately alerted store security. They quickly caught the woman leaving the store with piles of merchandise from other departments. It turned out that while my grandmother was in the hospital, her credit card had been stolen.

Looking back, it’s clear that my grandmother had someone praying for her that day. God’s protection was woven through even that small drama at the department store.

John 15:7 — “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

MARRIAGE

 

August 7, 1965 Spokane, WA Evy, me, Chris, Janet, Davy or Wayne, Dianna

Finally, after 60 years of marriage, I have some marriage advice. Looking back, there are a few things I would do differently if I had the chance to start again.

To begin with, the very first thing I would do is make sure we both believed in Jesus as our Savior. That shared foundation in faith makes all the difference.

Next, I would go through a practical resource with my fiancé—Before You Say "I Do": A Marriage Guide for Couples by H. Norman Wright. Preparing together with a tool like this sets the stage for a stronger start.

The third thing I would do is make sure we both had jobs before we married. Chris and I made the mistake of not having employment in place, and that made our early years together more difficult than they needed to be.

In addition, I would recommend listening to Part One of Albert Mohler’s insightful podcast: His perspective sheds light on how cultural shifts have reshaped marriage today. Marriage Comes After Adult Milestones? It’s No Wonder We Face a Delay of Marriage Crisis

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So, after 60 years of marriage, here is my closing thought: marriage is a mystery and a miracle. It is not something we can do well on our own. The only way to do it right is with God’s help.

“This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
—Ephesians 5:32

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ASSURANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR

 

Photo by Dorothy

My Grandma Grace Belle's favorite Psalm was Psalm 121. It begins: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." These words are a reminder of where our true help lies. We are reassured by the Psalmist that our help comes from the Lord, the Creator God. If God created the world, can’t He also deal with the problem of evil?

As we look around today, that question feels especially pressing. Political violence—similar to the assassinations that shook our nation in the 1960s—seems to be repeating itself. It is a sobering reminder that history often circles back on itself. While government will do its duty to carry out justice, and while heated rhetoric may quiet down for a time, it often rises again.

This leads us to ask: what will truly stop the wicked? How do we overcome evil with good? On one hand, societies create laws to restrain wrongdoing and protect the innocent. On the other hand, as individuals, we are called to live differently—to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Laws can restrain, but love transforms.

Even so, we know that ultimate justice goes beyond what any human system can achieve. In the end, we all answer to a higher authority. Scripture reminds us that one day, every wrong will be made right and evil will be no more.

The hope we cling to is not only for justice in this world but for the promise of something greater. As Hebrews 11:16 declares: “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

WHAT IS TRUTH?

 

Do we really know, as a society, what truth is? And if not, how do we go about discovering it? These timeless questions have been explored by people throughout history, each generation searching for its own understanding.

The video above, which runs about an hour and a half, takes a closer look at events and culture through this very lens. As you watch, you may find yourself agreeing with some perspectives while disagreeing with others.

Ultimately, the choice of what to believe—and how to interpret truth—is yours to make.

John 8:31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”