I own four working—or semi-working—devices. An ancient desktop computer, a new cellphone, a soon-to-be obsolete tablet, and a laptop on its last legs. (This past winter I managed to rid myself of the box-full of previously used/dead devices.)

Such is the technological world we live in. A world filled with devices designed to connect us with others (which for the most part works well) and with information (which, though it might not seem like it, can be a challenge.)


When I was in college, the difficulty with writing research papers was in locating information. You would browse through encyclopedias, search the stacks for relevant books, cull the green Readers Guide to Periodical Literature to locate magazine and newspaper articles which could be either in the archives still in print form or already transferred to microfilm or microfiche. And, finally, you would call your local library’s research librarian (shout out to my cousin Linda) to locate the even more obscure information.

Not so in today’s world. Today it is not about finding enough information; it is all about sifting through the ether world’s never-ending supply to find reliable information. Artificial Intelligence is only adding another layer of difficulty.

Which is why, during my last couple of decades of teaching, we would teach our students the CRAAP test: a series of questions used by colleges to vet your information source.

Here it is.

C—currency (The source is out of date or too old or doesn’t reflect the latest advances or ideas.)

R—relevance (The source is unrelated to your topic or only has a small amount of information about your topic.)

A—authority (The author is unknown or not an expert or the author is known but not an expert on the topic.)

A— accuracy (The facts seem incorrect or are not supported by other sources or citations, or the facts seem correct but are not cited.)

P—purpose (The source is intended to sell something or is biased.)

Each article and site needed to be weighed through these five areas, and only if the scales tipped heavily toward credibility should the source be used.

To be continued next week . . . Sorry there is no conclusion here, but the blog would be WAY TOO LONG. I hope you join me next week.

When I walk into a bookstore or a library, I am amazed at how many books there are out there. Thousands upon thousands. How many of them actually sell or get read?

It seems that unless a major TV personality or media site touts a debut novel, or the publishing house spends generously on marking, it is difficult for a budding author to gain any traction.

Marketing is huge and necessary.

And yet . . .


The best-selling book of ALL time (and the one that continues to be) never had a marketing director, was never aggressively advertised, and never solicited a TV personality to promote it. It’s popularity and longevity come strictly from the power of its message.

That book?

The Bible.

While Cervantes tops the best-selling charts with Don Quixote at 500 million copies sold and Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities follows with 200 million, the Bible has over 5 billion.

And there is a reason for that.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16)

And . . .

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Contrary to opinion, the Bible is not outdated or obsolete. It is as relevant today as ever. While society keeps changing and massaging its message to either cater to or shy from, the Bible’s message is comfortingly constant. The promises are still true and the guidance still valid. And it still has the power to change lives. Don't believe me? Read it.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and I want to pay tribute to all the mothers out there by sharing some thoughts others have shared about mothers.

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Some mothers must work and often feel like the balance of work and motherhood gets thrown out of whack sometimes. Others have the opportunity to stay home with their kids but sometimes feel like their lives lack the achievements of their working counterparts.

So I offer the following quotes as an encouragement to both mothers. What you do has earthly and eternal worth more than money can buy.

Happy Mothers Day.

“There is more power in a mother’s hand than in a king’s scepter.” Billy Sunday

“The mother’s heart is the child’s classroom.” Henry Ward Beecher

“Mothering is the gospel lived out as you hold your child’s heart in beauty, prayer, and patience. It’s not the big decision, but the little ones, trusting God through it all.” Anonymous

“Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” Billy Graham

“A Mother holds her child’s hand for awhile, their heart forever!” Anonymous

If you have a favorite quote about mothers, please share it.

I love art. In fact, I am in danger of becoming an art hoarder and my house becoming the home version of the illustrated man.

Recently, I had the opportunity to learn how to create a stained glass piece. Let me tell you. That is quite a process.

First, you have to select a pattern and then decide on all the colors and textures of the glass you will use. After that you trace, then cut—and cutting isn’t straight forward as glass tends to cut on straight lines not curves. Because of this property, you have to grind the edges into the exact shape, then wrap each piece with foil so that the tin/lead alloy will adhere and finally solder the pieces together. Oh, and then you apply a polish and wait . . . and wait . . . and wait . . . until it dries before you rub it to a brilliant finish.

Despite all this work, the result—even for a novice—is beautiful. When the light shines through, each piece is illuminated and all the textures and nuances become evident. (The piece in the photo is not the work of this novice but one of her instructors.)

Our lives are very much like a work of stained glass. God has created a perfect plan for each of our lives. It is beautiful. But since He has granted us free will, we often move away from that perfect pattern to do our own thing. However, God is also merciful and redemptive, so despite our pour choices and rebellion, He still creates something beautiful. We might have changed the color of a pane or two or required Him to do a bit of cutting and grinding to fit, but when we surrender and allow Him to work all those broken pieces together and then let His light shine through . . . well . . . our lives become works of art, showing a broken world what wonderful things God can do with broken pieces if we just let Him.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

This weekend is Kool April Nights (Redding’s version of Reno’s Hot August Nights) which celebrates classic cars of all kinds. It actually went all week, with Show-and-Shines and family-friendly events throughout the week, a cruise last night, and then the featured car show this weekend.

It draws quite a crowd—car lovers and the curious alike.

I am amazed at the vision and dedication some people have and the investment they are willing to put forth to restore these vehicles. They purposefully search for an old scrap of a car that they can bring back to its earlier glory. A few add some modern twists and touches to them, but most try to stay true to the car’s history.

Everyone who attends enjoys talking to the owners, hearing the story of the car, and admiring the beautiful result.

My brother and his wife do something similar. They rent a section at a local antique mall and supply it with treasures they have found languishing in thrift stores. My brother does his research, so he knows the value of items others might overlook or just see as junk. He buys them and places them in a more appropriate venue.

This week’s car show gave me reason to think. If we place this much value on old possessions, how much more should we give to our older generation. The American culture is focused on youth—looking young, trying to stay young—so much so that the value of our older citizens is not only often overlooked but too many times dismissed as irrelevant as well.

But the Bible reminds us not only to take care of our elderly, but also to value and respect them for they provide a wealth of history and wisdom. Just listen.

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. (Deuteronomy 32:7)

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.  (Proverbs 23:22)

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.  (Leviticus 19:32)

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?  (Job 12:12)

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.  Proverbs 16:31)

So whether in your own family or your church family, take time to get to know the history and appreciate the wisdom of our human “classics.” Our lives will be richer for it.

(Photo taken by Janice Millar)