This past Sunday, sometime shortly before the ungodly hour of 4:30 AM, I was jolted out of my much needed beauty sleep by a loud and long roll of thunder. A spring storm was rapidly approaching and the thunder was just a precursor to the fun to come. Within moments of regaining consciousness, I began to hear the wind violently swirl outside. I listened as the siding, shutters, and gutters began...
I am constantly surprised when, in the course of living my adult life, lessons taught during my grammar school years provide profound insights and practical solutions to problems. It’s interesting how the keys to mitigating complex struggles often rest in a return to simplicity. As I was reflecting on a particularly messy struggle I’ve been wading through with some dear friends, the words of...
We all have had “one of those days;” days when it seems nothing goes our way and it seems like the whole world has conspired against us. On those days, we perceive and experience everything through a hazy pall of shadow and dust. Even as I write these words, it strikes me as being comical and overly dramatic. It brings to mind the iconic children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No...
We have all heard the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses.” This morning, I found myself considering two questions concerning this popular phrase. Who exactly were these legendary Joneses? And, why did they become the standard to which we so often aspire? In order to find some answers, I did what any reasonable person does in the 21st century… I hopped on Google and did some “research.” Theories...
I am a coffee lover. I enjoy everything about it. I love the way it smells, the way it tastes, the way it keeps me from doing harm to other humans throughout the day. You know, the little things. I also very much enjoy the brewing process itself. I don’t brew my coffee in the same way most people do. I don’t even own a properly functioning coffee maker. I have a vast collection of brewing devices...
My family recently spent a week and change in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Not to worry, though, we social distanced like champs and have returned home healthy and ready to roll. Our routine each day was extremely basic and bland. We roused the children at about 9AM and by 9:30AM we were usually covered in sunscreen and ready to head to the beach. Other than a short trip back to the room to eat...
This is a big year for me. Just over a month ago, I turned the page on yet another year and turned 40. For most of my life, the concept of age has been rather inconsequential. Sure, I was stoked out of my mind when I turned 16 (and a month) and was finally able to get my license to operate a motor vehicle. I was pretty excited when I turned 18, was finally considered a “legal adult,” and could...
It’s interesting to me to consider modern colloquialisms (popular words or phrases that we integrate into daily conversation). They usually develop rather gradually over time and, before we know it, they become part of everyday English. In recent days, I’ve noticed a few colloquialisms that have embedded themselves almost instantaneously. Think of how many times you’ve used or heard the term...
One of my favorite Christmas decorations is an animatronic caroler that sits in the corner of my living room. We found her during a trip to a local antique market last winter. She is wearing a green dress with a red cape and a red hat in the Elizabethan style (think A Christmas Carol). She is holding a candle in her right hand. When you turn the power on she begins to rotate her head to the left...
For about 20 years now, I’ve wanted the same thing for Christmas. I often feel much like Ralphie, the main character in the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. In the movie, all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a “Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model, air rifle.” At every turn, poor Ralphie is stymied by the prevailing sentiment that he will “shoot his eye out” should he get one. The...
Jeremy Myers is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Indiana, where he has served since 2017. He has over 20 years of ministry experience in the local church and not-for-profit work. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized. In 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, with his thesis focusing on helping youth and senior adults develop deeper relationships. He is a passionate and gifted communicator and is regularly invited to speak at retreats, camps, conferences, and other events. He lives in Seymour, Indiana with his wife Robyn, their two children, Mikayla and JJ, and their Golden Doodle, Evie.
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