By Clayton Smith, claytonlsmith@icloud.com, Stillwell, Kansas

Grateful to God for good health and blessed with a wonderful family. In this troubled world, I find it ever important to give God thanks. Humor helps too! One of my friends wrote this confession: "My tolerance for idiots is extremely low today. I used to have some immunity built up, but obviously there is a new strain out there!"

The Shepherd's Center Older Adult ministry in Kansas City is celebrating the 50th Anniversary this year. It began at Central Methodist Church under the vision and leadership of Dr. Elbert Cole. I served as an associate there in 1973 and 1974. I have been thinking back of how formative that experience was for my ministry. Several of us are doing a writing project celebrating Dr. Cole's legacy. Let me know if you have any antidotes to share. The Shepherd's Center went on to help establish over 150 centers across our nation. 

Just finished reading a new authorized biography of Eugene Peterson that I can recommend: A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of The Message by Winn Collier. Most of us in our age group may really identify with this pastor's story.