Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Friends and family

July 5, 2025

I want to talk to you about several things today. The first is family and friends. I am fortunate that I have had a lot of family all my life. I have two older brothers and a younger sister, thanks to my mom and dad. In addition, there was an abundance of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Many are now gone, but each generation is larger than the last.

The truth is that we are not as close as we once were. We have family reunions and attend funerals and sometimes even weddings. Not like we used to. The youngest generation doesn’t seem to marry as often as we did. Some of my cousins got married two or three times each. We all just tend to die once, and recently we are living longer. I know it isn’t due to healthy living.

What brought on this wave of nostalgia? A commercial about one of these delivery services. A lady is lying in her bed, and there is some unidentified noise and movement around her. The camera pans back, and her bed is caught between two automatic doors. The voice over says, “If you can’t take your bed to the store,” then they will bring whatever you need to you.

Guess what, isn’t that what friends and family are for? In the bad old days before smartphone apps, you just picked up the phone, plugged it into the wall, and called family or a friend to bring you what you needed.

We are suffering from violence, attacks, and other crimes against more people than ever. There seems to be no way to avoid this. My wife and I seldom leave our home at night. We have a security system at our place, and we know our neighbors. We feel secure in our home.

Do we need to have random strangers coming to our home bringing groceries, medications, and prepared food? There are cases where these random strangers return later, and you are no longer safe. If I do not know you, I don’t invite you into my home.

We go out to pick up carry-out. We do not choose Door Ditch, Pan Handle Pete, or Consta Cart to bring things to us. We occasionally ask our pharmacy to deliver prescriptions. We used to call the pizza place for delivery until the drivers looked like the perps on Blue Bloods or the undercover cops from Chicago PD. We have taken medicines for our kids, for their kids, or for ourselves. Especially when they were quarantined during the COVID-19 crisis.

Have you seen the original Crocodile Dundee movie? You know, the one named “Crocodile Dundee.” There is a scene in it where Dundee is told that the reporter he is visiting in New York needs to go to a therapist. Mick doesn’t understand. He asks, “Don’t you have any mates?”

Friends, family, or mates used to help each other out. They still do in some communities. Our neighbors, church community, and close family still do. I’ve been called by cousins and friends to officiate at weddings and funerals, as well as get someone to a doctor or take food for them when they are ill. It costs us money not to have people we trust and on whom we can depend.

The next time you need something and can’t go get it for yourself, stop and think of whom you can call to bring it to you. Can’t think of anyone? How about one of those that you did the same thing for last week? It’s been a while since you helped someone else? Maybe that is the problem?

THE MARSHFIELD PARADE

July 3, 2025

Around thirty miles from Springfield, Missouri, east on Interstate 44 is Marshfield. President George H.W. Bush visited there in 1991, and he was the second sitting President to do so. Harry S. Truman came in 1948 to be in the annual Independence Day Parade. This is the longest-running parade west of the Mississippi. For the Christian, it is a family-friendly event.

The square around the Webster County courthouse is filled with rides, food vendors, music, and during election years speeches. This will not be one of those years. This is no sophisticated big-city event. This is a county fair celebration.

The parade features antique tractors, horses, classic cars, bands, and patriotic floats by churches and civic organizations. Those who like the glitz and glamour of the Macy’s parades may want to skip Marshfield. No show-stopping here. Unless the livestock gets loose. If you are anti-American or atheist, do not attend if you are offended easily. Almost every area of America has a small town that goes all out for the Fourth of July. Marshfield is one of the Ozarks.

At one time it was unusual to visit Marshfield for the parade without running into a cousin or someone else from childhood. Most of the family have left Webster County, but a few family members and friends are still around. The crowds are larger and as with any gathering, more people mean crowding and rude behavior. Because of this and the fact that Springfield now has a Mid-Town parade, Marshfield no longer has the draw for my family that it once did.

These days you will find us at the Midtown Springfield Independence Day Parade. You do not have to ask about the date. The parade steps off from Central and Benton at 10:00 a.m. Bring your own folding chairs, a blanket, and anything you need while you wait until it starts. The route is down Benton Ave. to Washington Park.

At the park, there will be an ice cream social with games and fun activities for the whole family. Food trucks and other vendors will be available. Remember that fireworks are illegal inside the city limits of Springfield year-round. There is no permission for them even around the fourth of July.

Enjoy your Independence Day celebration wherever you are. The Fourth of July is about the anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence. Without that brave act by dedicated men, the United States of America would not exist. Have fun and support our Constitution and the government that President Lincoln said is by us, for us, and through us.

NO ONE CAN TEACH YOU WHAT YOU DO NOT WISH TO LEARN

July 1, 2025

It seems like an easily determined idea, doesn’t it? Parents, teachers, and employers all fail to recognize this one fact. A father or mother attempts to teach a child how to use a spoon, a fork, or the potty chair before they want to. And it is always a struggle. I know. We tried that with Heather.

She would sit on the pot and not do anything. Then she decided she wanted to use the chair because she was tired of diapers. Why do training diapers help so many kids? They don’t want to lose the security of the protection from accidents, but they want freedom in the bathroom. They also wish for Mom and Dad’s approval.

Effective teachers find ways to encourage their students to learn, but may use games, toys or other activities that catch the attention and are interesting. This type of learning must be customized for every student. If you are fortunate, more than one person is captured by the same activity. Others require a different approach. Learning centers in classrooms take advantage of this principle.

Although I have never carried the title of “trainer” as a supervisor, manager, or an employee hoping to help someone else get ahead, I have trained hundreds of people in dozens of areas. Often, the lessons I taught to others were taught the hard way by trial and error for me. The desire to make learning easier for someone else makes me want to discover how to help them catch what I am throwing at them. This is how it should be done in the workplace.

The truth is that many are afraid to instruct others in what they know. They believe their job security depends on no one else knowing as much about their job.

On other occasions, we want to pass on knowledge, but do not know how because our school was hard knocks. We learned by doing and believe others will also. On-the-job training is good, but why shouldn’t those with more experience guide the newbies? Show them the things you tried first that did not work. Tell them why you do it the way you do and all the other methods that are not as good. These stop wasting time and effort.

If they listen. That leads us back to the title of this article. No one can teach you what you do not wish to learn. If you are stubborn and will not take instruction, you are doomed to repeat other mistakes and be thought less of.

When your trainer takes the time to show you their errors, you don’t have to repeat them. Hopefully, you will not be greeted with the worst of all educational philosophies, “Because I said so.”

It is time to take your company to the 21st century. Write a procedures manual that includes every process in your business. This is one of the requirements for all major companies. Certifications that multinational companies must maintain to bid on government contracts require this manual. Start with this item and see where it takes you.

How do you train?

June 29, 2025

Training is critical to job performance. It is one of those items that is taken into consideration with each new hire. Training is another cost for a new employee. If your company does not calculate this factor, it is still costing them money to train people for positions and functions.

The best way for most of us to learn is to be shown a task and then allowed to perform it until we are comfortable with it. The individual we are training sets such things as the number of repetitions needed, the amount of background knowledge required, and supervisory aspects. No two employees are ever the same, even if they are similar in some characteristics.

Over forty years in business in the office, out in the factory or shop, and everything from a line assembler to the operations manager, I have learned how to train and that many people are not naturally suited to train or be trained.

Three areas need to be looked at to ascertain that a company has adequate training. Does corporate management provide training guidelines? Do they provide the man (or woman) hours and equipment to allow for excellent education of job functions? Does middle management oversee the process thoroughly? If any of the answers to any of these questions are no, an employee may be lost due to a lack of training.

In some cases, higher-ups assume that the training takes place at the lower levels. That assumption is often incorrect. Top executives do not train; however, they need to guarantee that each level below them knows their responsibilities for advancement in the job performance of all under their authority. An office manager, branch manager, supervisor or foreperson should be held responsible for all those who are under them.

Training takes time away from daily responsibilities for both the new employee and the trainer. Other associates need to accept the extra load for those involved in providing proper training. If equipment needs to be used to learn, it should be provided. Often, special training centers can be assembled to give ongoing refresher courses in newly introduced functions. When you want an employee to learn new software, you must give them the time with that program and a trainer to accomplish the task.

Now we are back to the managers and supervisors for the oversight of all functions. A cursory glance at production or other work is not enough to determine if everything is going as planned. Quality inspection of work is required. Time and money are saved because these tasks are given proper emphasis.

One of the best tools I found at many of the companies I worked with was the procedures manual. This is a book of operations that are required for every employee to accomplish their assigned tasks. I’ve written and used these texts often. They are one more tool for training.

Why we won’t laugh when Jesus tells a joke

June 27, 2025

When someone tells a joke, you have two choices. You can laugh at the joke or not. The or not is the one that can help or hinder a storyteller. If you at least smile, then they are encouraged to keep trying. If you frown, we know we missed your funny threshold. When you rudely escort us to the door, we know we really blew it.

Some people do not realize how often Jesus got a laugh from His disciples and others around Him when he spoke. One classic is the “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into Heaven.” What is funny about this statement, you may ask?

Imagine Jesus walking down the road surrounded by his followers, with many Pharisees and Sadducees with them. He is talking about who will go to see His Heavenly Father. “It is easier.” He says, holding His arms out. This is a sign of a word directly from God. “For a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” As He brings his arms together and the two fingers on His right hand are just separated. “Than for a rich man to enter Heaven.”

“But, Lord, who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus replies that what is impossible for man is not for God. You don’t get the joke either. His followers did, and they laughed at the rich Pharisees who were there. They thought being Jews would get them into Heaven. Being a Baptist won’t do it either. No wonder we won’t laugh.

Our Lord was not making fun of His opponents. As He was hung on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” He was not just referring to the Roman soldiers. The Jewish Sanhedrin that condemned Him to death did not know what they were doing, either.

They wanted the conquering ruler to free their country. They did not know that the suffering servant had to die first. That sacrifice had to come back to life to conquer death, not just the Romans.

Israel is still in danger of being exterminated by those who have hated them for thousands of years because Jehovah loves them, and other nations do not. Iran, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria are a few examples.

The individuals needed salvation before the corporate group was set free to rule themselves again. Just as we Gentiles need to make a personal choice to accept the Messiah or the Christ and build a relationship with Him, the Jews are required to make a private decision. Have you done that yet?

Terror in the hospital

June 24, 2025

Not really, but I had to get your attention, didn’t I? I went through the standard check-in for the emergency department. We went through the process of triage. I spent five hours waiting to be taken to a room. I’d been answering the same questions repetitively.

These are the typical neurological, cardiac, and psychiatric screening processes. Two EKG’s, blood work, and chest X-ray. I’ve gone through this many times before except for the psych evaluation. When I finally was taken to a room, we waited for all the test results. Nothing out of the ordinary was discovered.

I tried to sleep. I was still fasting, and they only checked my blood sugar twice in eight hours. The reason I was required to go to the ER was to make sure my blood pressure and sugar levels were in range, I did not have dementia, or serious psychiatric problems.

A taxi took me home where I waited for the driver to pull out and got into my car and left again. I spent the morning looking for a place to stay without returning home. There was nowhere that the Lord made available for me.

I had to swallow my pride and ask Cindy to forgive me. I knew it would not be easy. When I got back home and went into the house Cindy and I began the process of forgiving each other and trying to find a way to prevent this from happening again. I am currently continuing outpatient testing to confirm that this problem does not happen again.

Let’s face it, none of us are perfect. Almost every couple has arguments or quarrels. The way you handle them is the main problem. I handled this one incorrectly. We are continuing to work through whatever causes disagreements.

It is possible to find common ground on almost anything if you try hard enough. Understanding, forgiveness, and compromise are the keys. Most marriages fail when one spouse chooses that they must have their way.

It is important to talk things out and express love in your partner’s primary love language. Communication is so essential to every relationship, it should be a priority. Remember why you decided to get married and be sure you maintain those loving actions.

I base what I write on a Christian world view. That means I speak of what Jesus taught in treating others as you want to be treated. I also emphasize the way love is defined in First Corinthians chapter 13. Love is patient and kind, it is just the beginning.

My encounter with the law

June 23, 2025

As it was getting late, I decided to return home and get my car. I had researched some places I might go for the night. To get there before dark, I needed to drive. As I was on the way, a friend saw me. She told me Cindy was worried and asked me to let her take me home.

I told her to leave me alone, and I walked into another patch of trees. It was getting dusk, and I did not want to get lost in an area I did not know. I hid in some brush and waited for her to leave. She made a phone call, and I heard my daughter come. It was getting dark, and I could see that at least one police car had arrived.

My wife had called my daughter and contacted the police, who put out a silver alert. I was endangered and had been reported to have dementia, and was threatened to take my life by jumping into traffic. I remained hidden in the brush and watched the officers in the woods looking for me.

After about forty-five minutes, I heard the dog. He came straight for me. The handler yelled that I had been found, and the two who had been searching came up. I had my cup in my hands. I did not worry about the canine officer until I was told not to get loud or he would hold me. I had avoided confrontation with two other dogs and listened to these instructions.

I was caught. They offered to take me home to my family, which I declined. They asked if I had been monitoring my diabetes, and I told them I could not because I had disposed of my phone. My continuous glucose monitor reports to it. I was not aware that I was considered suicidal and endangered.

I was given two options. I could return home with them or be transported to a hospital to be checked out. I chose the latter. That meant I was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car to await the ambulance. I complied.

The deputy sheriff who was leading my case waited with me, and we talked about how worried my wife was that I was missing. I told her I had not been missing. I knew where I was all that time, but did not choose to share that information with her. I asked how long she had been a deputy and learned she had worked in the jail for a while. She asked how I was doing in the back seat. I replied that, other than the pain of the handcuffs, I was fine.

The EMTs who came were equally kind and well-trained. While I was in the ambulance, I did not have to wear the cuffs. I enjoyed the pleasure of wearing both SPD and Greene County manacles. I don’t recommend either for evening wear.

The ride to Cox South was as enjoyable as the wait in the sheriff’s car. I spoke with the tech who rode in the back with me, strapped in for my safety. This was my first ambulance ride since the sixties. You can read about it in “The Shooting”. I’ll repost it later and continue this story tomorrow.

I took a walk

June 22, 2025

That’s all it was. My wife and I had a fight. I left the house without telling her where I was going. I’ve done it before. I was angry. I did not want to be around her. Millions of people take walks every day. I try to get in 3,000 to 5,000 steps each day on my smartwatch.

That day, I logged over 23,000 steps. I headed south. Normally, I go to a walking trail north of our home. I went south and west. Remember that it comes into play later. I walked along a creek. I wandered for a couple of hours. This time I had my shoes on.

Once, when I got mad and took a walk, I forgot to put my shoes on. I walked for a couple of hours barefoot up that trail I mentioned. I had my phone with me at that time, and my wife had my daughter come over, and they came to find me. Michelle brought my shoes to me and tried to get me to return home with her and my wife.

That time, I refused to get in the car with them. I told her I would get in her car alone with her. They went back to the house to get her car. I laid my phone down and continued my walk. This time, I had discarded my phone earlier in the day. Once again, I will explain something that you need to know for later.

The argument started in the car. My wife was driving. She threatened to have me picked up by the police and put me in a mental hospital if I got out of the car. I opened the door and went out. There was no traffic coming on that side. I walked out of the flow of the road and tossed my phone in the grass along the side of the road.

That was to prevent being found before I wanted to be. As I walked through the woods following the creek, I saw a clearing underneath electrical lines. The walking was easier there, but without the stream to guide me, I began walking back to the east.

I came up a rise and realized I was returning in the direction I came from. I made the first sighting of my daughter’s car and turned around. I had no intention of returning home. I went to the west once again and used the compass on my watch to keep me on a southwest heading. I was tired and thirsty. I set my course for a local convenience store. I stayed in trees and behind buildings as much as I could. I encountered two dogs that let me know they thought I did not belong there. I faced them and scared them away twice.

The third time they came back, their owner was with them and reminded me I was on private property. The former CBC campus is near the fairgrounds. I told him I was taking a walk and just passing through. He walked with me, and I asked questions about the church that now owned the property.

I saw my destination ahead and watched traffic for those I knew were looking for me. I used the restroom for the purpose it was designed and purchased a large drink. I continued my trek towards the library station. I spent the next few hours there reading, working on the computer, and watching for anyone I might know. I’ll continue this story tomorrow.

What does “Seven Brief Lessons on Physics” teach us?

June 20, 2025

In his book Carlo Rovelli tells us about Loop Quantum Gravity and how this theory relates to our world including the universe around us. He also speculates on the theory of time. His is an attempt to join the Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. These two ideas seem to be fitting on opposite sides of the hypothesis that all matter, energy, and time are a random accident. Both seek to eliminate the creator from the story.

Think about it for a minute. Matter, energy, and time were all created by Jehovah God. It does not depend on whether you believe me or not. God says He did it and if you want to argue it, you will have your chance. When the world ends, or your life does. Whichever comes first. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

It is your choice. No one else can make this decision for you. There is no hurry. You have until you die. Just do not wait one second too long. Then it will be too late.

Did you know that it does not matter how sincere you are, you may just be sincerely wrong. And I may be as well. If there is no God that created the universe(s) and when we die, we cease to exist, what have I lost? Nothing. I am happy and secure in my belief.

If I am correct and Jesus is not your savior and Lord, you have lost eternity. You will spend it in terrible agony away from God and everyone. Jesus described it in the story about Lazarus and the rich man. (Luke 16:19-31)

I know many of you have come to believe that it is the religious that are deceived. You’ve heard the saying that religion is the oppiate of the people. I agree with that statement. I am not talking to you about religion. There is a book entitled “Jesus is > (greater than) religion”.

Jesus challenged the Jewish religious leaders of His day. They asked Him if he was their Messiah. They expected a conquering ruler. He was not that. He had not come to free them from the oppression of the Romans. He came to release them from the slavery to sin and false beliefs which they followed.

They thought their Judaism would save them. He informed them that they were wrong. Killing sheep, goats, and bulls was doing no good. A sinless sacrifice was needed and that was what He had come to do. Think about it. Who better than God himself to become a human being and live for thirty or so years and die despite the fact He had broken no laws. Not even the religious leaders’ laws.

I know that if you believe nothing blew up without any help and started a chain reaction that caused our world and all the universe(s) including energy, matter, and time to begin you can understand that a being existed before anything else and decided He wanted people to exist.

You say you have difficulty believing in Heaven and Hell. I cannot believe in what is called the big bang theory. Something came from nowhere and exploded. I call that the Cosmic Flatulence Theory. You just do not want to believe that the eternal creator passed gas. That is a very rude beginning, and I understand why you would not want to accept this kind of creation. I don’t like to explain it this way. However you want to describe the beginning of everything, God did it.

Will the Cubs win the World Series in 2015?

June 18, 2025

(This column was written and not published before the end of the 2015 World Series. I have recently added the last part.)

Some say no. This opposes the thoughtful consideration given to this subject almost 40 years ago by Bob Gale, the writer of “Back to the Future Part 2.” He had this be the fact that caught Marty McFly’s attention and led him to make the disastrous move of buying the Gray’s Sports Almanac that Old Biff took to Young Biff in the Time Machine. If you have not seen this classic trilogy of Science Fiction, you must watch it to understand why today’s date is so important. Even Christians in Springfield may enjoy these PG-rated films if your family is old enough to handle the occasional curse words.

There is much speculation on this event because this is the first time in over 100 years the Chicago Cubs are poised to possibly be in the World Series in that fateful year mentioned in a movie almost three decades ago. Do you believe this will happen? They are facing the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. As the record stands today the Cubs are down by three going into tonight’s game.

If the Cubs win, it may be the one of the few predictions that the movie had correct. We do not have flying cars; hoverboards or holographic billboards and businesses still use fax machines. We also still have bullying as was depicted in the 80’s, but most of it takes place on the internet. The internet, home computers and cell phones aren’t even mentioned by Marty or Doc even though Marty’s kids use video sets like ones currently on the market. The wall of video is possible, but still prohibitively expensive for most except technically savvy.

“Back to the Future” is no different from “1984”, and “2001 A Space Odessey” in missing how our technology would change. What seems like a good invention to someone writing a story may not turn out to be practical or convenient and we all know that convenience rules in our culture. That is why we have the microwave oven even though it was not envisioned before its invention. Many had ideas of food being replaced by pills or synthesizing machines. They did not, however, plan for a machine that just cooks food quicker.

Hopefully Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale will not hold it against the Cubbies if this year becomes The Mets’ next chance to win the series. Let’s also hope it will not disrupt the time/space continuum by eliminating the Cubs before they even make it to the World Series. One can only hope.

That was then. This is now. Are you a Sci-Fi fan like me? I’ve been reading and watching this genre for most of my life. When Apollo Eleven crew Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren walked on the moon, I found the difference between their rocket and all the ones seen in Movies and TV shows before then almost laughable.

The space shuttle was another science fact that was not expected by the fiction writers until the eighties. Today there are many stories and books that speculate with our society being destroyed by what is considered as the most probable problems. America’s enemies have also changed how these stories are written.

I can’t wait to see the stories published about a president that tries to overthrow our constitution and become a king, emperor, or dictator. These stories were common in the fifties. They were written about communists infiltrating our political system. Who knew it would just be good old American stupidity that causes our economy and government to almost be destroyed.

Walk With a Servant