"What is an epigram? A dwarfish whole, its body brevity, and wit its soul." - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I like that quote - the blast at the top. When I was teaching Hebrew poetry I tried to explain to the students the epigram, the major form in the Book of Proverbs. I wish I'd had this then.

Chuck Colson is near death. He's one of the really good guys, the more remarkable because he was one of the really bad guys, the guy in charge of Nixon's dirty work. He was the only Watergate player to plead guilty and testify openly before Congress. He did that because in between the Watergate break-in and the filing of charges he came to realize his need for a Savior who could not only save him from the eternal penalty of his sin but transform his life here on earth. For his candor and admission of guilt he received a prison sentence far longer than any of his colleagues who denied any responsibility but were also clearly guilty.

After getting out of federal prison he founded Prison Ministries, generally regarded as the most effective of all the programs for prisoners. But my connection to Chuck Colson is personal. I read his first book, "Born Again" shortly after it was released and at a time in my professional life when I had been slammed pretty hard. Colson's account of his pride and fall and subsequent realization that he needed a relationship with the God who loves him and gave his Son to die for him was a message about pride and ambition I needed to hear. That was his first book, and he's written several since. but if you're looking for a powerful piece of easy reading, find it here on Amazon. Even if you don't know anything about Watergate you'll get the message.


Dick Clark has died. Certainly better known, and he gave us American Bandstand. OK.


Ken Farmen is here for the conference. He's a few years younger than me but we grew up in the same church on the north end of Seattle and have known each other since childhood. He now pastors a church in Port Orchard, WA. But just as important, he's also restoring a VW. His car is a '72 vert, a term in the world of VW's that means it's a convertible. His car was in far worse shape than mine when he began and he's done an incredible job of literally rebuilding portions of the body that were rusted beyond repair. And he had sufficient courage and skill to tackle not only his own engine rebuild but also his own painting. I am in awe. And smart enough to know my limits. Verts, even of the post-'67 vintage, are worth considerably more than sedans. It was fun to compare notes and experiences, especially because we're both at about the same stage in the process.

The primary speaker for this conference is one of those men who exudes character, integrity. It's obvious he has integrity and lives what he speaks. I think he's got a difficult job in that his assigned topic is a perspective this group of men already shares. Sometimes it's beneficial to hear what we agree to be true because of the reinforcement it provides, or perhaps a fresh perspective, and I suppose there's some of that going on. But I find it refreshing just to listen to someone instead of being the one who speaks. Maybe it's like the mom who prepares and serves three meals a day, every day, and then gets to go out and be served at a restaurant. I also find my mind going off on ADD rabbit trails prompted by a sentence, or even a phrase - trails that lead me to think about something back home and how it could be done. So I'm not sure I'll return with new information or a transformed perspective, but the break and change of rolls is refreshing.