By DANNY MINTON “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you remember someone asking you that question? Maybe it was your parents, a teacher, or even someone you met for the first time. Asked during our elementary school years, we usually respond with something that has impressed us. I wanted to be a cowboy in the second grade. That developed later into the desire to

By DANNY MINTON The question sounds innocent and straightforward enough, right? Or maybe not! I went to Starbucks one morning around 8:00 and ordered: “a cup of coffee, please.”  “Would you like Frappuccino, Expresso, iced, or brewed? “Just a hot cup of regular ole’ coffee, please… “What flavor?” “Flavor?” “We have Cinnamon, cherry, dark cherry, peppermint, caramel, or chocolate?” “Do

By DANNY MINTON We all hate to make mistakes, especially if they affect those around us. It’s not only embarrassing but often opens us up to criticism. Most of our mistakes are seen by only us, but there are times when we would like to hide and dread what people will say. It’s bad enough to mess up, but much

By DANNY MINTON “Look,” said Dick. “See it go. See it go up.” Jane said, “Oh, look! See it go. See it go up.” “Up, up,” said Sally. “Go, up, up, up.” With these words, children of the fifties were introduced to a family who had been part of the lives of children decades before and would continue into the

By DANNY MINTON And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” So, I went

By DANNY MINTON Well, it’s that time of year again. It’s the time people make promises for the New Year. Actually, the only thing that has changed is that the number “2” becomes a “3” at the end of the date. Diet books and magazines will disappear from store shelves. Bikes, treadmills, weights, and many other exercising pieces will make

By DANNY MINTON On Christmas Day: Many will gather around the tree to open fancy gifts wrapped in bright paper and ribbons. Others will gather to open gifts not as fancy or as professionally wrapped. Some will gather with small gifts due to a loss of income. Others will have no gifts at all. On Christmas Day: Many will gather

By DANNY MINTON The fourth candle of Advent (third to some) is the “Shepherd’s Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” It, first of all, represents the joy that overcame the shepherds in the fields when angels appeared and told them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the

By DANNY MINTON While Christmastime means a time of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, it is in Love that we find the true meaning of the night so many centuries ago. The glow in the lighting of the “Candle of Love” should be a reminder of how much God loves us. We rejoice at the birth of the baby Jesus,