I understand that some Americans are skeptical of the current Pope when it comes to some of his political and economic views. In fact, I share that skepticism in some regards. But here is one area where I have no reservations: Pope Francis loves Jesus, and he loves people. Here is a man who actually conspires to escape the confining, safety of the Vatican and be a priest to those with no power and no influence, and he does it without an audience. And what’s more, he insists that his bishops participate.

I love Pope Francis because today, on Maundy Thursday, (the day when Christians remember Christ’s last supper and his washing of the apostles’ feet) he will be visiting with and washing the feet of twelve convicts serving life sentences. This is actually, a traditional act that started (I believe but may be mistaken) with John XXIII, one of the great popes of all time. It is said that by the time he completed washing the feet of the prisoners every man present was weeping.

I love his radical commitment to the emulation of Christ’s actions. It’s reminiscent of Jesus recognizing the dying thief on the cross next to him, telling him that they would be together in paradise. Have a Blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter East Texas.

I’ve always been one of the few people I knew in my community or social circle to whole heartedly profess and embrace the fact that I love Television… a lot. I used to throw that confession out in the middle of serious discussions of how the medium was ruining society. The admission was always greeted with much the same surprise that would have greeted me had I pulled the pin from a live grenade. The reactions always brought me a certain wicked pleasure. I know, I need professional help…

It’s interesting to watch on-line mediums usurp the traditional networks, which is another fact that makes me giggle. Apart from news and sports, I’m finding that I stream Netflix and Amazon Prime programing about as much as I watch via Direct TV. And for the most part the increased programing has made way for some really creative new shows. Of course, it’s also had the effect of making the networks more desperate and willing to try some pretty lame stuff too. For instance, take any of the sitcoms on network television. I swear they’re still using the same old formula that gave us the likes of “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step.” And while I could go on for quite some time about the ones that annoy me, I thought I’d pick five programs in particular I wish would go away and why.

Number one: “Super Girl.” Because it’s stupid. (I know, what a well- reasoned argument. Well that’s how I feel).

Number two: “Survivor.” Because enough already.

Number three: “Lucifer.” Ok so I’m a fairly cynical cat sometimes, much to my wife’s chagrin I might add. But even I’m more than a little uncomfortable promoting the further loss of moral clarity by producing a show in which Satan is portrayed as a slick, sexy and ultimately benevolent protagonist who really just wants to have fun. The devil couldn’t have done better himself… or maybe he just did. And by the way, the writing on this show stinks to high heaven. That stuff basically writes itself.

Number four: “Designated Survivor.” Now I know the character is not actually Jack Bauer but this show has ruined the other for me. I can’t describe the disappointment I felt when expecting President Bauer, I got an amalgamation of presidents Carter and Obama! The Basic premise is this: Imagine how much better the world and the country would be if the 911 attacks had happened under a liberal president. I watched maybe three episodes and felt like I was sitting through a Democratic party promotional video. Not only was it boring beyond belief, it was contrived, stereotypical and preachy. I really can’t believe anyone’s still watching this piece of… art.

Number five: “60 Days in: Atlanta.” This show is absolutely bereft of meaning or lessons. Of course, the premise is that ordinary citizens spend 60 days locked up in prison and what…? Are made better human beings? No I can’t imagine… Learn how much the prison population has sacrificed for the good of their countrymen and fellow humanity? No… no that can’t be it. Transform their lives for the better?

My wife and I were amazed by the recent history channel series entitled The Selection, in which common citizens participated in U.S. Special Operations training merely so they could experience a small taste of what our soldiers go through to defend our society. The participants drove themselves to the brink of mental and physical exhaustion, and all of them said it was because they wanted to improve themselves in some way. “60 Days” can offer no such lesson. It’s merely human depravity and bestial behavior on display. You can do better A & E, and so can I.

My wife and I were married nearly two years ago, and as with anyone married (or remarried) in middle age, we both brought complicated family and financial situations that we’ve had to factor into the relationship. One of my complications has been my ownership of the three- bedroom country cottage I’ve owned for going on fifteen years or so and where my son lived the first seven years of his life. It’s been a great little home with some great memories attached to it. The house is a solid little starter home, but is also something of a project house as well. Over the years that I owned it, I was subsisting on a private, school teacher’s salary, while also trying to keep my son enrolled in private school. Consequently, I was forced either to put off necessary repairs, or find creative ways to make them myself in whatever fashion I could find.

When I married in 2015, my son and I move in with my wife and her elderly mother. At the time, I was engaged in attempting to sell my home to a family who desperately wanted to buy it but for a number of practical reasons, had been unable to close the deal with the bank. For a year, we tried to navigate life as well as find creative ways to make the sale possible for our friends. But each time we found a solution… we didn’t. There was always some sticking point that prevented an agreement between us. Finally, after more than a year of wrangling, we decided it was time to take a more conventional approach.

When we started interviewing realtors, we sat down with a representative for a local titan of realty. You know, the one who advertises on radio (and probably television) constantly. They promise to find a buyer for the seller’s home or purchase it themselves. Of course, the claim is a major oversimplification. At any rate, after an interview in which my wife and I came away feeling like we were in fact being interviewed for admittance into some select club we decided to keep looking. While I’m certain the realtor was an effective group, who genuinely worked for the client’s best interest, their rates were far too high and they were clearly used to higher end properties. A simple little cottage like mine could not offer enough return for both of us.

After a referral from my brother we next met with Martin Marroquin, of the Wood Real Estate Group. Martin was (and is) confident is his ability to find a buyer for my house. He’s undeterred either by the size or value of our house, or the fact that it’s an as is sale. While it’s a small company. Wood’s rates were far more realistic for us, and Martin offered us far more individual attention and an individual approach much more tailored to us as clients.

So where are we now? We’re still looking, and praying for the right buyers and at the same time looking for creative solutions. If readers are looking for a potentially great starter home or interested in a project house visit https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9932-County-Road-1125-Tyler-TX-75709/52286566_zpid/ or contact Martin Marroquin at (903) 445-4558.

I’ve been a teacher for almost twenty years. It sounds like a long time when I read it aloud. I’ve spent my entire career at private religious schools, and most of those have a period of service every year, in which the students work at local churches and charities putting their faith into action. Well Christian Heritage School in Tyler has the same annual tradition.

As a classical Principle Approach school, CHS devotes its classroom hours to learning the history of its faith. We pour over literature, theological and philosophical texts. We study Scripture, History, Logic, Latin and the Sciences. We discuss, debate, read and write. But every year, right before observing spring break, our staff and students spend a week performing community outreach. But don’t be fooled by the verb perform, because these students are not merely fulfilling an academic requirement. Their hearts are genuinely in it and as a teacher it’s good to see.

This past week I observed teams of students composed of every grade, leaving the comforts of the classroom (along with the familiar scholastic responsibilities), and spending their days cleaning and repairing churches they don’t even attend. I saw Junior High and High School students jump into a dance with Alzheimer’s patients to country western music. I saw elementary kids delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly. Some teams worked at the local food bank, others played music and visited with residents of the Salvation Army.

Not surprisingly, those ministering over outreach week ended up being ministered to the most. Of course, the dances would have gone on regardless of whether or not the kids sat them out. And meals would have delivered by someone. It just so happens that they were delivered by students who had the opportunity learn from and be blessed by the experience. And again, like anything else the students got out of it what they put into it. As a participant and an observer, I am confident that both the community and the students were made just a little better as a result.

Dear Disney Channel [and or Nickelodeon], I had a great idea for a new teen show. It would feature a cast of cute, spunky little know it all kids, and bumbling, awkward, clueless adults. The setting for my new masterpiece will largely consist of the local Jr. High school, which the students actually run while graciously allowing the grownups to work there. The children’s lives and relationships should be as complicated as those of… well real grownups. Of course, those on the show should float by blissfully unaware of the responsibilities carried by the students they pretend to teach. The characters should be diverse personality types. Meaning, there could be the overachieving central character, the bad boy / girl side kick, the slightly nerdy-but-sweet friend, who loves the central character from afar; and the clueless older sibling who could serve as comic relief. Oh! And one more element, maybe we could incorporate some kind of secret super power, or hidden identity! Please let me know if you intend to use my idea. If you do I expect to receive royalties. I look forward to working with you. Anxiously, TRHague.

Ok so I don’t expect the check to be in the mail. In fact, I’m sure this is pretty much the same letter that went out to NBC (eventually Disney Channel) shortly before the pilot of Saved by the Bell, or Nickelodeon prior to the release of iCarly. I’ll stop the name dropping there, but I promise; I don’t have to. The formulaic properties of nearly every show on the networks reflects a profound lack of either creativity or writing ability present in children’s programming today. And the complete lack of any moral or even social themes make the shows the character equivalent of straight sugar and pixie sticks on a child’s dental hygiene.

Here’s the thing Disney, (and anyone else I wish would read this and won’t) Children aren’t capable enough or smart enough to run the world, or even their own lives. Trust me, I have one. And what’s more, we shouldn’t be teaching them that they’re all that important. Oh, sure we love them. But the world probably won’t and we shouldn’t teach them that their importance to those they don’t know is what determines their value. On top of that it’s dangerous for us, as grownup society to devalue ourselves by depicting all adults as not so funny buffoons, always ten steps behind the juvenile population.

My last objection is I think the most significant. So much of the programing in question teaches its audience that the only meaning and value in life is found creating drama, which is usually created by bad decision making. Living complicated, dramatic lives is depicted as interesting, sexy, and ultimately fulfilling. What is not communicated is that constant drama creates unhappy adults incapable of authentic relationships, who move from person to person creating chaos in other people’s lives and destroying anything healthy in its wake.

Of course, I’m not blaming every instance of millennial irresponsibility on Disney, any more than I (or hopefully anyone else) would blame Barbie for eating disorders. What I am suggesting is that kids will learn the lessons we continually teach them. And that maybe we could actually spend our time, resources and (please!) a little talent, teaching lessons that can help produce confident, intelligent, rational adults who will value things like hard earned wisdom and experience as keys to a fulfilled productive life.