Several of us went back to the home of a woman from our church who had been murdered just about a month earlier. Our goal was to move some furniture and other belongings for her son. It was a hard thing to do. The house was filled with broken glass where the S.W.A.T. team had broken windows to try and gain entry to the home. Plastic covered the floor where she had fallen by the door. Things were in general disarray, but in the midst of the chaos, there were memories too. Her family found the belongings they wanted plus pictures, yard and lawn equipment, and some bicycles too. I remember staring out the back window at the pool and hot tub where I had done a baptism. I remembered the laughter

I had a good laugh while filling-out paperwork to purchase a handgun recently. One of the questions required on the state application form was, “Are you a fugitive from justice?” “Yes,” I replied out loud to the clerk, “I’ve always planned to turn myself in at a gun store and today’s my big day!” The clerk laughed too and then said, “Well actually, I DID have a guy answer ‘Yes’ once.” “Really?” I exclaimed! “Yep,” he continued, “the guy checked that box and so I asked him if it was a mistake and he said he actually WAS a fugitive from justice. I called it in, the cops came, and they arrested him.” As the saying goes, “There is no cure for stupid.” Or is there? Proverbs is a book of wisdom. O

Several years ago, I co-authored a book with Dr. Glenn Sunshine and Dr. Mels Carbonnel entitled, "Whole 4 Life." It's still available on Amazon or via. my website, www.rissingerrg.com. The purpose of the book was to help people understand the four quadrants that make us unique as people. Why is that important? Jesus said that the most important command was that we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). If we can't understand and assess ourselves in these areas, how are we to obey that command. Furthermore, if we fail in this, how can we ever find fulfillment in life? The good news is that we CAN understand and assess ourselves with regard to heart, soul, mind,

I played with Count Basie’s band in the 70’s. Well, sort-of. You see I attended a workshop at Geneseo State University in the 70’s with my High School Jazz Band. We played, other school bands played, and Basie’s band played. Then we broke-up into groups by instrument and did workshops/training led by Basie’s musicians. Still…it’s sounds cool to say that I played with Basie…doesn’t it? A Lesson for Life! Lots of things can be worded in a way that misleads. The Enemy, Satan the Devil does this well. He is the master deceiver and has inspired millions to do the same (John 8:44, Rev. 12:9, etc.). Our media outlets, the entertainment industry, most good salespeople and politicians do this well. I