Lifestyles

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

I wrote this poem about eight years ago honoring our local volunteer fire department who battled a prairie fire and saved our house and outbuildings. It seems fitting to publish the poem at this time to honor and thank all those who have been battling the fires this spring.

He’s just an old cowboy
Settin’ on his porch
He’s lost some of his fire
But he hasn’t dropped his torch

[Jesus said:] "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him."

[Jesus said:] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms."

I recently read a statement made by a vegetarian stating, “You can’t say you love animals if you eat meat.” Using this logic I believe it would be fitting to say, “You can’t say you love vegetables if you eat carrots.”

[Jesus said:] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep."

He’s a hunter of the hunted
The killer of the dead
Those who walk in darkness
Face the night with dread

Last week the legendary Eads coach Gail Crawford was inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame and spoke at length about his coaching experiences in Eads. Crawford was a superb athlete in his own right growing up in Joes, Colorado among a culture of greatness among boys’ sports competitors.

It’s raining as I set here remembering a poem I wrote several years ago. It sure seems fitting for this week.

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree."

When you ride your final ride
And your last sunset fades away
When your spurs have lost their jingle
And you’ve gathered your last stray

Leona Doris Krentz (Peters), a woman defined by strength, faith, and unwavering devotion to those she loved, passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 87.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

There are moments in history that don’t just pass through time—they shape it.