The pitcher stared at me and sent another missile flying my way.  I swung the bat with grim resolve and missed again. The coach tried to help telling me, “Jerry, you’re overthinking it, trying too hard.”  I never did master… Continue reading

Youth Group Forever! Pete (not his real name) is a mature Christian.  He is consistent in his faith, despite struggling through some very difficult situations in his life.  He feeds himself spiritually, strengthening himself by regular practice of spiritual disciplines… Continue reading

The old joke says, “blessed are those who expect nothing, for they will never be disappointed.” True enough, but is that really how anyone wants to live? Is the path to serenity paved with apathy? You might say, “I don’t… Continue reading

The dash light came one. “Check Engine,” it demanded with a slow amber blink.  The car seemed to be running just fine and money was short, so the light went unheeded. One friend after another pointed it out when they… Continue reading

Just a little light can transform fear to confidence. There are no streetlights near our home so I recently installed a ‘dusk to dawn’ fixture on the garage. When I come home late in the evening from a meeting it’s… Continue reading

Out of death, life! Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the Summer season, is also a time to remember.  We consciously note the sacrifices of thousands who have died defending the interests of our nation, protecting us and our… Continue reading

I let the expectations of others and demands of myself lead me to this conclusion, from time to time. “You must produce results now!” Naturally, there is just one result – stress on top of stress.  In a time of… Continue reading

Last night I slept overnight on an old couch in the lower level of our church’s fellowship hall.   I was the overnight host as part of our church’s work with Family Promise, a cooperative  that provides temporary shelter for those… Continue reading

Did you happen to catch the segment on Anderson Cooper 360 last night (5/21) featuring the Baptist preacher’s rant about segregating lesbians and homosexuals in America?  I cried, literally, as I watched it, broken-hearted by the reproach this foolish man… Continue reading

Misophonia, anyone? 20/20 reported on a new malady. It’s called misophonia. Neurologists allege that those with the disorder become annoyed, or even enraged, by such ordinary sounds as other people eating, breathing, or coughing; certain consonants; or repetitive sounds. People… Continue reading