What is Truth?

Today's sermon provides an unvarnished look at "Truth." Using Paul's second letter to Timothy, he unfolds II Timothy 1:13,14 in simple language, emphasizing the Biblical idea of singular, moral, spiritual and cultural truth. The sermon is entitled: "Retaining Sound Words"

We live in a world where most people invent their own truths based on subjective feelings, cultural norms and peer influence. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Do you know what that truth is?

Dr. Steven Lawson pastors Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

Asking the Questions

I think my Grandfather Skinner had a love for the sea. Born in San Jose, growing up in Templeton and raising a family in San Luis Obispo, he worked as a delivery truck driver for Union Oil and often traveled to company storage tanks in Avila. He was a member of the San Luis Yacht Club and loved taking us grandkids to the beach.

He died in 1951, long before I'd even think of asking him about his life and what was important to him since I was only 5 years old. What was his favorite song? Where was the best place to fish? Did he read his Bible every day? Did he know the mayor? What was his greatest regret? Would he like to live anywhere else? How did he and grandma meet? What were his memories of serving in WWI?

Have you asked the questions yet?

Universal Off-Color

With students meandering the sidewalks, skateboarding and walking here and there, the University of the Pacific in Stockton proved to be a great place to capture some fall color --- and a crime perpetrated by local neighborhood skater hoods who loped their merry way through the center of the campus.

Of the half dozen miscreants, one needed a quick hero fix. Spying a freshly poured concrete sidewalk repair, he pulled a quarter out of his pocket and wrote his tag line: BB W$, which probably translates into West Side Bad Boyz or some other inane moniker. He threw the gritty coin into a garbage can nearby, while one of his buds couldn't believe it and started dumpster diving. I got a shot of the graffiti and 'boyz', wondering if I needed to hurry to the car. A girl with a ready phone witnessed it also and called the authorities. Such is our brave new world where there will always be small mob/dare you mentality.

I should mention that most of us, including truly yours, were guilty of the same foolishness when we were young and stupid and needed someone else's approval and praise. And the difference now is . . . ?

Unfinished Symphony

Many have dubbed former and next governor Jerry Brown's portrait in the state Capitol as an 'unfinished' work. Others say it is the best political portrait of the 20th century. I think it only fitting that he adds a second painting to the wall of governors. Something more realistic and detailed. Something to reveal every wizened wrinkle in his aging face. Something to reflect his hand-wringing trepidation after receiving the admiralty of a sinking ship.

May God direct his every decision and show mercy to us all.

Dark and Dreary - All is Bleary

This fall's colors are starting to find their way to the front door. The backyard maples and frontyard birches haven't seen any change yet, but the house has been decorated to remind us that nature's glory will soon be seen.

Changes are also seen in the sky as this weekend's storm approaches from the west, blowing north as it plots a path along the coast. We haven't had the predicted rain showers yet (it's 2:43 p.m, Saturday right now), but it has been cloudy all day. Angel is playing with the cat and watching cat videos on the computer. All is quiet on the western front.



A few remnants remain from the summer roses - persistent blooms before the freezing winds and frost. Then it will be time to pull them out and plant another that hasn't been borer infected. I'm just not a rose lover type of guy. At least when it comes to babying them.









Mother Liz and daughter love driving around in the Rabbit.







Halloween is a low-key event here at the homestead. The true bug-eater that she is, Angel has no problem posing as a withered wretch before going to the church's big candy/game/music/fun evening Friday night. Adventure will be her forte as she finally decides on a life course. May God direct her, whatever her decision might be.



We're often caught off-guard in our expressions. We hate having our picture taken because of the few bloopers that caught us with our tongues hanging out, eyes crossed or worse. Here is proof that you can take a bad picture and make it a standout. Just depends on who's judging the contest.

Arroyo Where?

Here we are in Arroyo Grande, the berg you usually whiz through when traveling north of Santa Barbara on the way to San Luis Obispo. We're visiting an ice cream parlor that lets you experiment with different mixes of ice cream (which is why it's called Doc Bernstein's Ice Cream Lab). Our friends, Tom and Linda are here with us (Linda's taking the picture) after a going to church in Paso Robles together, then zipping over to Morro Bay for lunch, then to Oceano to see the Train Depot (it was the Railroad Festival weekend on the Central Coast).


In this crazy world, friendship is becoming more important. My favorite composer, Edvard Grieg, said, "It is great to have friends when one is young, but indeed it is still more so when you are getting old. When we are young, friends are, like everything else, a matter of course. In the old days [our golden years], we know what it [really] means to have them." And as Selden said, "Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet."

Old Familiar Places

Although Dryden said, "All objects lose by too familiar a view," that can't be said about certain places we visit often. As the seasons change and people come and go, the experience changes as well. Our perspective skews a bit. We refocus our line of sight and find new details to give greater definition of the world before us.

We hosted the roaming gnomes, Don and Janet, yesterday by traveling to Sutter Creek. Granddaughter Angel in tow, as well. It was another hot day without much of a breeze. Those miners must have loved working the streams and rivers in the area during the summer as long as they were able to get their feet wet and stay cool. Don and I were boiling while shooting the Knight Foundery and environs. Not much water in the creek at this point anyway.

The girls let their eyes do the walking as they perused the antique/junktique stores and kept in the shade. The boy photogs didn't keep their 40 minute limit agreement, and were soundly trounced in the Ice Cream Emporium upon return from their labors.

Angel felt a bit out of place, which is normal for any ten year-old who is forced to tag along with a group of sexagenarians. At least she is learning that old folks can have a great time and laugh a lot, in spite of their decrepitude, a not-so-small pleasure God has given to the aged among us.