My ABCs: C Is For Communication

by Kevin Burton    So I had this great idea for a series, my ABCs.    Take the words that letters stand for in kindergarten, A for apple, B for ball, etc., and trade them in for the words that seem more appropriate after years and years of experience in life.    I started this …

Our Special Needs Cats Have Purr-sonality

by Kevin Burton    June is National Adopt A Cat month in the United States.  It is also knows as Adopt A Shelter Cat Month.    This is something our family did just before Christmas. Here are some things to think about if you are considering adopting a cat. This is from the National Day …

Reality Intrudes Upon Laverne And Shirley

by Kevin Burton    Shame on me for this, but there was a time when I believed every word of the song from Laverne and Shirley.   That show ran from 1976 to 1983 on ABC. It was a big hit for its first few years, a spinoff from the very popular “Happy Days.” It …

Shopping For Fruit With Paul In Galatians

by Kevin Burton    Being a Christian goes deeper than displaying a cross. A true Christian is going to be different and look different.     The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about what a Christian looks like. That’s why I’m going shopping today at a new grocery store. The sign out front reads, …

The Trippy Lyrics Of Strawberry Letter 23

by Kevin Burton     From its carousel introduction to its abstract imagery lyrics, “Strawberry Letter 23” was, different.    The song was released 45 years ago this month on Epic Records.    You remember the tune? It was one of the quieter songs performed by the Brothers Johnson.    Wikipedia says the 7-inch single was …

Happy Wife, Happy Life, Happy Meals

by Kevin Burton    The happy whirring has begun.    I meant the whirring from our brand new purchased-on-sale, matches-the-oven, shiny, silver refrigerator.  My wife may be whirring happily too, not sure.     I told the story of our kitchen appliance upgrade last week (“So Long Old Fridge, Good Riddance,” June 1).    I said …

“Lido Shuffle” Singer Boz Scaggs Turns 78

by Kevin Burton    My friend Todd once called “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits a “perfect” song.    I don’t know what calculations you use to measure a perfect song, but leaving that all undefined, I will play along and nominate “Lido Shuffle” by Boz Scaggs as perfect.    The song is way up …

What Ever Happened To The Tambourine?

by Kevin Burton    Hey man, do you dig the tambourine?     They sure did back in the 60s.  It was everywhere!  Is there any surer stamp marking the time a record was produced, than the prominent use of tambourine?     Just for fun I grabbed one of my 60s compilation CDs, “Feelin’ Groovy” put …

God’s Grace Based On His Holy Name

by Dane Massey    (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)       As I spent time reflecting on the words of our salvation my mind was captured by a verse and a thought.      “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption …

Speak Truth In Love To False Religion

by Kevin Burton    We’re talking about the Christian response to false religion today with the help of Alistair Begg, speaker on the Truth For Life radio ministry.    He calls on us to do our part. But before we get into his message, I want to emphasize one phrase from it.    His phrase …