God The Gift Giver, Jesus The Greatest Gift

by Kevin Burton    Tis the season of gift giving and that makes you a gift giver. By now you’re way deep into it, I’m sure.    Are you done with the shopping?  Do you have some anxiety about the gifts you don’t have purchased yet?  And what about the shipping?  You still have some …

Oh My Word! Scrabble Goes Crazy

by Kevin Burton    If you read this column often you know I’m a Scrabble player. Guess I’ve become an old Scrabble player.    I used to laugh at my mom because she objected to some of the new words in the Scrabble Players’ Dictionary. I’m not laughing anymore.    I have the sixth edition …

Thursdays With Mom: Golden Memories

by Kevin Burton    I took custody of the gold yesterday.  Didn’t make me any richer, not in the monetary sense anyway.     The transaction took place at my mother’s apartment at an assisted living facility twelve miles north of where I live.  I go there to visit her just about every Thursday.  We are …

Don’t Be Hateful, Be Grateful, I Know

by Kevin Burton    When my mother came to visit me in Iowa she flew in, meaning she didn’t have a car for the visit and we got around by using the little ride service I used.    If I remember correctly, we had to call twice and do a little polite coaxing to get …

The Return Of Sunday Go To Meeting

by Kevin Burton    The Burtons have entered the building, the church building.    We have been watching church on the big screen of my Macintosh computer in the basement for more than two years now.  That was a virus thing of course. We didn’t close our Bibles; we were just trying to stay safe. …

Of OSSB And A Bright Sunshiny Day

by Kevin Burton    How do you get to 50 years? It starts with a day, or a night.    Then, you turn your heart toward the sunrise, again and again.    There was a night when my parents put me into the family Delta 88 and drove me from our home in Yellow Springs …

“Best Of My Love,” Pure Joy In 1977

by Kevin Burton     Their gospel wailing and harmonies brought out the emotion from listeners in their native Chicago. People confided as much to their mentor/father Joe.    That’s why when the singing Hutchinson sisters needed a new name for the group, they called themselves The Emotions.    Forty-five years ago, their “Best Of My …

You Have A Loving Father In Heaven

by Kevin Burton    My earthly father could hardly have done a better job meeting my physical needs or a worse job meeting my emotional needs.    Everyone has a story. Maybe your father is absent altogether. Maybe he is present but missing in action.  Maybe he is the provider and nurturer you need.    …

The Deep Conversation I Never Had

by Kevin Burton    “Daddy?”    “Grrrpha-umph.”    “Daddy?”    “Yes Jeanie, what do you want?”    “I don’t want anything Daddy, how can I? I’m not here, remember?”    “I know you’re not here, you don’t exist. Now go to sleep.”    “What would I want daddy, if I were here, there, wherever? What …

So Long Old Fridge, Good Riddance

by Kevin Burton     It’s a little-known fact that the stork who brings babies also delivers kitchen appliances.     We’re having a stork visit of the appliance variety next week. We are replacing the old refrigerator.  My emotions are decidedly mixed.    One of the few bright spots to come from our emergency trip to …