Is Gad Jacob's son, a troop, fortune or a pagan deity? (Isaiah 65:11)
'Difficult Sayings' from Jonathan Went

Gad is first mentioned in Genesis 30:11 when "Leah said, "A troop comes!" So she called his name Gad" (KJV), as the traditional translation has it. Whilst the Authorised Version has Gad meaning "troop" the more modern NIV renders the Genesis passage, "Leah said, "What good fortune!" So she named him Gad" (cf. NRSV etc). Gad, the proper name of…

The Defining Moment
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

The great singer, Beverly Sills, was once asked about what spurred her to be the accomplished vocalist she had become. In the course of her answer she said, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you're doomed if you don't try." I wonder if she played golf. If ever there was a sport which combined disappointment…

What If?
'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

There are two words in the English language which, when combined, raise the specter of a life that isn't being enjoyed. The two words? I could let you grind on them for a while. I could let you sit and guess. What if I just came out and told you? Yeah, what if I just put you out of your misery and came right out…