London Calling
•It was bitter cold but we walked on. After all, how often do Ronda and I make it to London (not often enough for Ronda) or, more specifically, to the very place where Ronda’s life changed dramatically in God’s providence. Years before, having travelled to London for Princess Diana’s funeral, a story in itself for another time, Ronda made the acquaintance of a man who, as they enjoyed Kensington Park, asked what was her dream? “To write books and have them published,” Ronda said simply to her newfound friend. And right then and there, the realization of Ronda’s writing career was born — or, as Ronda says her people might say, “borned”). This photo is taken at the tree, (an accurate approximation, anyway) where Ronda made that decision.
•Read the Bible. Even if you’re not a Christian, even if you don’t believe the gospel to be the truth, if you’re looking for the best read possible, the Bible can’t be beat. It has drama, comedy, poetry, history, prophecy, intrigue… In middle school, Mr. Caswell taught the Bible as literature. (Ronda will tell you, I can have a spotty memory; the fact I’m able to recall his name really says something about the course.) I have found, the more I read this incredible book, the more enjoyable, fascinating, and interesting it becomes. It’s been called a “living document” and I’ll go with that description. There is such intricacy yet harmony between the Old and New Testaments, the combined 66 books, the fact that it was written by some forty or so inspired authors, only makes it more fantastic. Just sayin’.
•Yes, Officer. Given the reprehensible (and inexcusable) way the police are all-too-often treated these days — since when is it alright, even fashionable, to address law enforcement officers as “dog, bro, or dude”? — so I was surprised to hear my brother, Michael, now retired, say that he would go back on the job if he could. Mike was a policeman, first in Westport, Connecticut, for four years; he then became a policeman on the Los Angeles Police Department for thirty-seven years, retiring as a homicide detective with most of his career spent in South Central. Even given all that law enforcement has to deal with nowadays, I suppose it makes sense my brother feels the way he does. Mike always liked catching the “bad guys” — drawing the line between right and wrong when it came to the law. He was an excellent LEO, garnering many awards during a storied career. I’m just thankful he “pulled the pin” while he was still in one piece.