Simply Redeemed–With A Smile and a Hug

On Friday morning, August 18, my beloved father-in-law, Charles Edward Cookson, breathed his last and was transported into the arms of Jesus. I’m sure his homecoming was marked with a big smile and warm hug.

Both were a trademark of Chuck Cookson. The other was simplicity of heart and life — two rare qualities in today’s complex world.

He is now simply redeemed.

Chuck Cookson was born on August 6, 1926, in Port Orchard, Washington during the Roaring Twenties. His father, Leonard Cookson, built a small home at 816 Sidney Street, only six blocks up the hill from the downtown waterfront.

His mother, Clara Dixon, was three-quarters American Indian and a gracious woman who worked extremely hard. Chuck was the youngest of three and said he was born in the “shack” behind the three bedroom house.

In 91 years, Chuck never moved more than eight blocks from his roots. Read More

You’ve Sunk a Long Way, Baby: An Appeal to American Women

Women's March 2017

I was deeply saddened by the Women’s March on January 21, 2017. It was neither spontaneous nor noble. It was peaceful for the most part, but reveals a largely unreported problem.

What it demonstrates is how far some women in America have wandered from their hallowed place in the history of the United States. It might be true to say:

You’ve sunk a long way, baby. Read More

How Jesus Changed the World

This week we celebrate the world’s most important birthday–the birth of Jesus Christ. Three-quarters of our global population took time to honor this event in some way with music, church services, giving of presents, or family gatherings (the only major exception being the Muslim nations).

The world would be vastly different if Jesus never came.

How different?  Let’s do some deeper thinking about the impact of the life of Jesus Christ. You’ve heard of the twelve days of Christmas? Let’s look at twelve ways Jesus Christ changed the world over the past two thousand years.

I’m not limiting Jesus’ impact to only a dozen areas. I welcome your thoughts as to other areas his life has wonderfully touched.

Today we’ll begin with the first six. Read More