Author: Rev. James F. Cubie

  My  two year old son calls him "Dark Gator", but to the rest of us he's "Darth Vader" - the baddest Sith Lord on the block; unforgiving commander of the Empire; Intergalactic HR officer who does not want to field your puny work complaint, thank you very much. He's also the voice in my … Continue reading Planting in a Pandemic, Part 4: *Darth Vader Voice* “I Find Your Lack of ‘Expertise’, Disturbing…” →

  We were not expecting it, but on Friday evening we got an amazing, grace-filled treat: Our daughter put on a (very short, impromptu) ballet recital in our Living Room. What made this so special, was our daughter's journey to that day: For more than a month before COVID-19, she wore a boot that immobilized … Continue reading Parenting in a Pandemic, Part 5: And Your Child Shall Lead You… →

Isn't it good that I - as a father and husband - would never, ever want to have as much control over my family, as my two year old son, Jack?  Obviously, I've left behind two-year-old-James' belief that his home environment should completely serve him. Waiting to hear my wife laugh out loud, as she … Continue reading Parenting in a Pandemic, Part 4: Control? →

Okay, it took a Pandemic for me to stop disliking the term "self-care".   I've distrusted "self-care" for at least a couple of reasons: First: I love the Apostle Paul.  Yes, he wasn't Jesus (Duh!), but he threw himself completely into the work God called him to do, and he was a church planter to boot!  … Continue reading Planting in a Pandemic, Part 3: “Self-Care”? →

The comparison game was bad before COVID-19.  You know the feeling: "I'm not matching up.  We're not keeping up with the Joneses.  They're at least two steps ahead of us, honey!" Keeping up with the Joneses existed long before social media, but - man - it seems to have exploded, since.  No one posts video … Continue reading Parenting in a Pandemic, Part 3 →

I didn't get my car inspected, when I should have.  The inspection sticker sits dead center, on the front windshield - can't miss it; can't hide from it.  It got to be one month, two, three.... six.  I was just too busy, I kept telling myself.  I wouldn't get stopped, and if I did, the … Continue reading Planting in a Pandemic, Part 2 →

A good friend totally sold me on the idea.  I bought it hook, line, and sinker: I had not used a paper planner for at least three years, but I would "love" this, cool new planner. The new paper planner had a place to list goals: 1 year; 5 years; 10 years out.  It had … Continue reading Parenting in a Pandemic, Part 2 →

Our imaginary co-worker was named "Rob".  And that joke worked for - maybe - 2 days.  And then it wasn't so funny any more. Parenting in a pandemic is no joke.  There's a lot of humor to be found, but the laughter usually comes at the end of our ropes. The "good" social distancing we … Continue reading Parenting in a Pandemic, Part 1 →

You started something new.  You got it going, I mean really going....  It was gathering momentum, and looked like it would be successful.  But then something leaped up, and seemed to threaten everything you put your heart into. What do you do?  You can't see how this is all going to end - you can't … Continue reading Planting in a Pandemic, Part 1 →

In their very helpful manual, the authors of Real Life Discipleship Training Manual, walk their readers through 5 stages of spiritual growth: Death Infant Child Young Adult Parent Today we talk about the last stage – “Spiritual Parent”.  Before we do, let's review the previous 4 stages. Spiritual death is characterized by unbelief and rebellion: People who are spiritually dead, do not believe … Continue reading A “Spiritual Parent” – Stage 5/5 →