“This is one of the sleaziest industries in the world,” says business owner Ethan Rietema. “Customers are treated so poorly. Stores beat you up, trying to get as much money as they can, but they couldn’t care less if you… Continue reading

Slap on the handcuffs? Restraint is everywhere.  In an attempt to provide an orderly society, our government – local, state, and federal – keeps on writing rules and laws.  The regulatory burden for the average American is crushing. Just try… Continue reading

David Petraeus, head of the CIA, a former four-star general, a man with ‘rock star’ status in Washington, DC, came tumbling down from lofty heights last week.  He was tripped up by desire gone awry. It would only take me… Continue reading

There are days when questions arise and doubts pound away like the incessant clamor of a jackhammer in the street. I wonder, “Have I done the right thing? Did I make a fatal mistake?”  The tension causes my body to… Continue reading

When I stand on the deck and look out over the acre and half I call home, I see beauty.  When I moved here last year, I saw work, lots of it. But, with trimming, pulling, weeding, and planting it’s… Continue reading

Grand finale Baseball’s long season finally end in October with the World Series. The football season comes to a close with the big event, the Superbowl.  A good story pulls us along towards the conclusion when the tension is resolved… Continue reading

An invitation to reason “Pastor. I just don’t understand. What happened? Why has God done this to me?”  The question comes my way often. Only the context changes. Sometimes it’s a failing marriage. Sometimes it involves wayward children. Sometimes it’s… Continue reading

A Babbling Believer A long time ago some preacher made a remark that I have never forgotten.  “A lot of lies are told in church during the singing of the hymns.”  He meant to be humorous, but next time you’re… Continue reading

EOTWAWKI? It is election day in these United States of America. Dire warnings come from both sides promising that we’re doomed (EOTWAWKI) if the other guy is elected. Frankly, some of the claims are so baseless (even ridiculous) that I… Continue reading

So, you want to get better? Over the years I listened to hundreds of confessions of sins large and small.  Some let their story leak out slowly as if they were unwrapping a parcel, peeling back the layers of justifications… Continue reading