Profound and Sometimes Preposterous Ponderings of Pete

My little boy Jake who I called Boise Idaho is getting married next month. How did I get to be so old? My little girl Rachael went home before me. How did I get to be so old? My oldest grandchild is 11. How did I get to be so old? My arthritis is flaring and I need a new hip. How did I get to be so old? My memory is weak and my skills are waning. How did I get to be so old? My doctor has told me I am aging fast. How did I get to be so old? So while my beard gets grayer day by day, and words of wisdom I can no longer say. I thank my God that getting older means, Eternity is much closer than when I was in my teens!

My friend Rob Lindley, who recently lost his son asked me if I have images of Rachael frozen in time.  I do.  This poem I wrote for her funeral 5 years ago and have posted it before.  Here it is again.  It is her, frozen in my mind and heart's time. The Purple Princess by Pete Kligmann There was a purple princess who was her daddy's joy. She climbed the highest trees as fast as any boy. Those who got to know her found her love was true. She gave her life to Jesus, her friends, and family too. She loved to cook, and ride, and play. She had to read everyday. She wanted to be just like her mama, A midwife and mom to lots. She learned all about childbirth and babysat many tots. She often loved to sing out loud but rarely sang on key. Her love and praise of Jesus Christ was plain for all to see. Rachael, dear Rachael. I give you to your princely groom, but always remember in your daddy's heart, there remains an empty room.

Some memories are too painful to let your mind settle, They boil and slop and spill all over like soup in a kettle. Some memories are bitter-sweet and filled with warmth and tears. Some memories lose their poignancy as we move beyond in years. But the best memories are those that have all been sown in love, And though they are no longer here, are still remembered above.

Recently I was told that my illness back in Feb 2009 left me with more brain damage than just short term memory loss and a warped sense of humor. [Delete the latter I was born with that. ;)].  Apparently a rise in adrenaline due to stress interferes with my basic problem-solving thought processes.  I am a masters degreed chemist in the field of physical chemistry which is the physics of chemistry.  Well, was.  Think about it. My intelligence has not been diminished but an important part of my ability to apply it has. I have become more of a burden to my family.  My poor wife can say with truth that she has to take care of 10 kids still at home. She also was the one who had to inform me of this handicap.  Everyone in my family knew this about me except me and that it was obvious from almost the beginning.  In my struggle with understanding this knowledge I hurt and insulted my wife. So I also suffer from CRIS (Cranial Rectal Insertion Syndrome). She ...

Our small group is following or doing a video series study produced by Focus On The Family called, The Truth Project.   I am not fond of this format; however, I really enjoyed the first lesson and am looking forward to the next. The speaker/teacher, Dr. Del Tackett has an excellent style and is very engaging.  I was amazed at how often Jesus referenced and spoke of the truth.  I am looking forward to more. This post is not about the video but about something I have been trying to relay as well as something I myself have been learning and experiencing.  The first video lesson ended with the question and challenge "Do you really believe in the reality that you believe?" Wow!  It brought back to mind something one of our pastors, Jodi Van Rhee, asked the congregation one Sunday morning a couple of years ago. (She is our worship leader and she and her husband Eric, our church's pastors, are great and special friends to our family.) She asked us after a song, if w...

I do not mean this in a disrespectful or piteous manner.  Actually, I empathize and sympathize with him. Peter truly meant to lay down his life and freely give it to Christ.  Jesus told him he would deny him 3 times before the cock crows. Did Jesus do this to make Peter feel more guilt or to inspire him against the denial? Guilt comes from hell so not that. Jesus did not get in the way of his father's plan so the latter can't be. So why? If you know Jesus, there can only be one reason.  Peter was going to do what he was going to do.  Christ knew this and he also knew that this would devastate Peter afterwards and wear on Peter for years. Peter knowing that Christ knew beforehand made his redemption more complete. Because if the denial was known beforehand; therefore, the forgiveness and grace were known beforehand.  When Peter realized this, he could let go of the burden of the denial. Sooooo, have you ever denied Christ?  Be honest.  I have.  ...

Today is Good Friday.  Many have asked why do we call it Good when an innocent man was put to death with a punishment reserved for traitors and those found guilty of the most heinous crimes.  If you are a believer, you know the answer and need not continue reading if this feels like "preaching to the choir." This post is for my friends, family, and loved ones who are not. Many of you have heard the message before and like me rejected it due to its presentation or the hypocrisy of the presenters or both. Some of you have not. First, you should know, that I cannot save you nor am I trying to.  My job, as a disciple of Christ is to present the good news. The rest is between you and God. He and he alone is the author of salvation. I will also preface this with the fact, that after years of searching and research, I believe the Bible to be true and the word of God. Brief history: God created man (evolution is unfounded - even atheist biologists state that) in his image; a...