"Poetic Wednesday" Jesus healed the blind, deaf, crippled, unclean, and dead, with his “touch.” He could have healed all of them with his voice. But he touched them instead. This is a favorite religious poem. “The worth of a soul” is forever changed by the “Touch of the Master’s Hand. “ Touch of the Master’s … Continue reading “Touch of the Master’s Hand”(Auction of the Old Violin)
"Sunday Sermon" “Son of Man” Surprisingly, in the New Testament, Jesus never called himself the “Son of God.” A few times, he referred to himself indirectly as “the Son” or spoke of God as “my Father.” (Matt. 11:27; Luke 22:29) Instead, Jesus consistently called himself “Son of Man.” He did this over 80 times in … Continue reading Jesus: “Son of God” or “Son of Man”
"Saturday Stories" Judicial Weddings As a judge, I volunteered to officiate at weddings. I performed weddings in my courtroom, in chambers, at wedding chapels, on boats, at resorts, in parks, at hotels, at homes, and on the beach. Weddings are rarely flawless. Murphy’s Law, that "if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong," applies … Continue reading Wedding Disasters: Scared Doves and Dead Butterflies
(Court Case Friday) Some criminal cases are heartbreaking, not because of harm to the victim, but because of the circumstances of the criminal. In these cases, mercy sometimes outweighs justice. As a young criminal prosecutor, I was assigned the case of an 80-year-old WW II decorated veteran who charged with shoplifting. He had walked into … Continue reading Heartbreaking Case of the WWII Veteran Shoplifter
"Poetic Wednesday" Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a lawyer, judge, historian, and playwright. He was also one of Scotland’s best loved poets. “Native Land” is one of my favorite poems because it captures our feelings of patriotism for our “native land.” (Like most poetry, it is better if you read “Native Land” out loud with … Continue reading “Native Land” – A Famous Poem About Patriotism, by Sir Walter Scott
"Sunday Sermon" Boyd K. Packer and the Transgressing Missionary In 1971, Elder Boyd K. Packer visited our mission in Bristol, England. He shared the following experience. Soon after being called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, he was sent to a foreign mission, where a missionary faced excommunication for having had sexual relations with a … Continue reading Rules versus Revelation (2 Stories)
“Saturday Commentary” Growing Old I never really thought I would be old. It gradually snuck up on me when I wasn’t looking. Obviously, aging is inevitable. Whenever I am tempted to complain about aging, I remind myself that growing old is better than the alternative. When I am tempted to complain about my aches, I … Continue reading Growing Old: 15 Advantages and Disadvantages
"Court Case Friday" Last month, I had a case, where the defendant was arrested for driving under the influence. When he failed to appear in my court, I issued a warrant for his arrest. The next day I received a letter from his doctor. Dear Honorable Judge: I am requesting you excuse Mr. K. from … Continue reading Doctor’s Excuse: Defendant is Too “Anxious” to Come to Court
"Poetic Wednesday" Our lives have been completely changed because of the positive impact of so many others. These “people of influence” include teachers, mentors, family members, church leaders, and friends. Likewise, every one of us, in some small measure, have also been a “person of influence.” “Influence” is one of my all-time favorite poems because … Continue reading “Influence” – A Little Poem About Those Who Influenced Us
"Sunday Sermon" Luke 9:62: "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." "Remember Lot’s Wife" The most famous example of “turning back” in the scriptures is Lot’s wife. Jesus specifically asked us to, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Lk. 17:32) How could we forget? Because of … Continue reading “Don’t Look Back” – Luke 9:62
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