Category Archives: Family

Family Memories

August 8, 2026 · 8:00 am

When is too much, too much?

The era that we live in today has been described as 24/7/365. This means that not only is life happening in a 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 day a year never-stopping pace; it is also being reported on, recorded and shared in those same increments. With the advent of the 24 hour news channel by CNN in 1980 it became possible to know what was happening in other places around the globe in real time. Eventually CNN’s competitors (FOX and MSNBC – both in 1996) added their own 24 hour news channels. These were greatly accelerated by the development of the Internet and Social Media. The result is that today it’s nearly impossible in much of the modern world to not be “in the know” about events of major impact, and even those of less than major impact.

But when is too much, too much? That’s a question I’ve been asking myself for quite a number of years now. Is it healthy to “always” be in the know “in real time”? Should one “always” be available? Could there be such a thing as too much exposure to what is presented as “news” or newsworthy? Is it all really worthy of consideration as “news”? Some of it seems to be more akin to gossip or blather. And what about availability to work? Does that client or co-worker, or supervisor really need access to you all the time?

As a pastor who made home visits, I became aware that several parishioners would have their television tuned to one of the aforementioned news channels much of the day. From morning till night there was the constant, oft repeated series of “stories” being reported by someone from behind a news desk. Variations of this format, of course, developed beyond the desk, to reporters free standing while telling us what they are going to tell us, then telling us, then telling us what they told us. Panels of “experts” would emerge to further disect and debate the “news”. Officials from government or business would be interviewed to offer their “take” on the story. “Breaking News” would scroll along the bottom of the screen, offering summations of that day’s “big” stories. And it would go on like this ad neausium all day and night, never stopping, but flowing into the next day with it’s “emerging” stories to supplement or supplant those of yesterday.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized, Leadership, Ministry, Christian Faith, Family, What I Am Learning

Tagged as , , , ,

June 27, 2026 · 10:28 am

When Pictures Speak

Last week our family enjoyed a vacation week together in the Black Hills. We visited such iconic places as Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Devil’s Tower National Monument and Custer State Park. It was a week filled with making memories, enjoying one another’s company and the beauty of creation. There were no shortage of photo opps. Some of them were staged, others presented themselves at scenic vistas, and some just developed.

The following photo was taken on The Needles Highway in Custer State Park. This is a scenic and winding drive through some unique geological features of that part of the Black Hills, and includes a couple of very narrow tunnels or passageways that have been cut out of the rock for vehicular passage.

We just happened to be the next vehicle behind this bus size RV as it carefully squeezed it’s way through the Iron Creek Tunnel on the Needle’s Highway. I’ll confess that I wasn’t sure it was going to make it, and I wondered at the moxi of the driver who, despite multiple road sign warnings before commitment to this route, was determined to try his luck.

As I watched and snapped the pics, this Scripture came to mind: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mt 19:24 NIV) In truth this verse has always kind of bothered me. It’s not that I’m rich, or even hang around with those of great wealth, but it just always seemed Jesus was calling out the affluent with his camel, eye of a needle, hyperbole. And of course he was – and is. An abundance of provisions or resources in life can lull us into a false confidence that we do not need anything or anyone – including the grace of God. Much of western civilization today knows this false confidence in comparison to much of the world. We are living under the illusion, too often, that we are self dependent.

But ususally an event or challenge will confront even the most misled among us along life’s way and reveal the falsity of such thinking. We find ourself trying to drive our metaphorical RV through a tight spot without scratching or dismembering it. We may even stop and seek reassurance that we’re going to make it. We might even ask for help.

The Scripture doesn’t say it’s impossible for the rich, or falsely overconfident, to enter the “Kingdom of God”, just that’s it’s challenging for those of us who are living in some type of affluence to admit our need for the grace, forgiveness, help, salvation that God’s Kingdom is associated with.

The good news is the guy in the bus size RV made it, not just through this tunnel, but an even trickier one that came up the road. That’s good news metaphorically as well for those who live in the affluence of a land of plenty, which includes more of us than we may want to admit.

Photos by Daniel M. Cash – Custer State Park, South Dakota – Needles Highway

1 Comment

Filed under Christian Faith, Family, Holy Days, Hope, Ministry, Passageways, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

June 2, 2026 · 10:57 am

The Saga of Rocky the Racoon

It is always a good idea to pay attention to what your spouse is saying to you, especially if she says it repeatedly. Such was the case, recently, when my wife reported that she had been hearing something on the roof of the house. “What could be on the roof?”, I thought.  Maybe a large bird had temporarily landed there?

She insisted that whatever it was that had been visiting our roof came at night and made scratching sounds, as if it had claws. I still dismissed this as perhaps a fiction of her imagination or a visitation in her dreams. Then, one day, while working in my office, I heard something too. It sounded like something had fallen. Perhaps something in one of the closets had shifted and fallen down?  I would look into to it later. Which I never did.

Then came the night, actually early morning, whilst I was soundly asleep that my spouse awakened me, saying, “I hear it again”.  Her tone of voice was such that I determined I had better take action, which I did, grabbing a flashlight and going out into the rain to examine the roof line – front and back sides of the house. Nothing.

Unable to get back to sleep I decided to read, seated in my recliner in the family room, thinking I might get drowsy again. It was then that I heard “something”. Only, I knew it wasn’t on the roof but in the attic. So, flashlight in hand, I pulled down the attic stairs and crept up above the garage to investigate. As I shined my light around a pair of eyes shined right back at me. Then those eyes scampered up the studs of the exterior wall – eyes belonging to a small racoon. It quickly made it’s way up and into the eaves of the house. I’m not sure who was more surprised by our early morning meeting, me or the racoon?

With heart racing and in disbelief, while wondering: “How did it possibly get inside the attic?”, I went to report my findings to the now trying to go back to sleep spouse. My report did nothing to encourage her resumption of slumber. Instead, we grappled with the fact that we had a critter in the attic. What now?

Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Family, Uncategorized, What I Am Learning

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

May 19, 2026 · 9:00 am

New Book Release: “Korea Courage”

My latest book Korea Courage is now available in paperback format with the e-reader version to be released on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. A work of historical fiction, Korea Courage, tells the story of a young couple, recently married, whose plans were upended by the Korean War. The book follows a chapter of their early life together, recounting events of 1951-52, as they each found courage to confront the challenges they were facing.

You can listen to the Introduction to Korea Courage read in the author’s voice here.

You can read the Prologue to Korea Courage here.

The book is available in paperback and e-reader format on Amazon.com.

You can also visit my Amazon author page here.

Thanks for your interest and support of my writing. This particular project has been a labor of love and I hope you enjoy it.

Leave a comment

Filed under Christian Faith, Family, Leadership, Passageways, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

December 17, 2025 · 8:00 am

Pondering the Christmas Parade

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. . .”  (Luke 2:10 NRSV)

Our family attended the community Christmas Parade this past Saturday evening. It was a 90 plus minute procession of one fire truck, police vehicle, pickup truck, float, civic group, local business, Mack truck, Semi-Truck, pickup truck, band, church group, politician seeking office, social service organization, pickup truck after another. There were a lot of lights illuminating the vehicles and pedestrians, way too many grinches in costume, several blow up decorations (a few of them ambulatory), and Santa at the end. It was your typical small town Midwestern parade – well attended, safely conducted and enjoyed by children, families and watchers of all ages. For my money (it was free) it could have been about 30 minutes shorter and tightened up a bit – reducing big gaps between entries. But hey, it was free, and I appreciate the effort volunteers make in helping such an event happen in today’s world.  

As a people watcher I find parades kind of interesting. It’s interesting to watch those in the parade and the outlandish things they will do and wear to get attention. It’s also interesting to watch the people who are watching the parade. Children often take center stage holding their collection bags over safety barriers in hopes of candy and freebies. Parents of said children are interesting to watch as they encourage their child to “see” what’s coming next, say “thank you” when given a treat, or cover their ears if the noise of a particular exhibit is overwhelming.

I was present as a grandad and not directly responsible for anyone given that the grands parents were all present. I noted the woman who brought her chair and set up next to our party. She was prepared – chair, blanket, earmuffs, and solid winter gear. She seemed a bit disinterested at times, but I get it, how many local business’ advertising pickup trucks can one get enthused over? Yet when the high school band finally came down the street, she perked right up. She even recorded a video of their performance. “She must have a kid in the band”, I thought to myself.  This thought was further reinforced when she packed up and left soon after the band had gone by. I understood. I’ve been that band parent, sitting in the cold waiting for the band to arrive and perform.

A couple of additional observations come to mind from this parading spectacle. I was heartened to once again note the diversity that exists in our hometown. This was not a one look parade – it included people of all skin tones, as well as diversity in expression, faith profession, and persuasion. It seemed that one entry in particular was making a statement about their ethnic heritage, which I appreciated and applauded in this climate of ICE deportation threats. Not only was their performance well-rehearsed and presented, I found them to be brave. 

My other observation was that people were having a good time. I noted how many greetings were shared between parade participants and parade watchers. “Merry Christmas” rang out over and over again, as well as the aforementioned “thank you.”  Maybe I’m reading more into things than is merited, but I had the sense that people were enjoying being together in public, in celebration of a seasonal event that gave everyone reason to be on the same side. Even the entries related to folks running for office seemed understated. How nice to put aside “news” and “social media” messaging, and cheering for opposing teams, or debating divergent ideologies, and instead just be in common space for common purpose.

Maybe you see what you are looking for, or what you need. Maybe that’s why I found myself seeing and hearing and thinking about what I write. At 6 p.m. on a Saturday I wasn’t listening to troubling state, national or world news; I was celebrating good news, the Good News of Christmas. There needs to be more of this, would you agree?

© Daniel M. Cash, 2025

2 Comments

Filed under Christian Faith, Community, Family, Holy Days, Ministry, Seasons

Tagged as , , , ,