46 years ago one August evening,  I asked a beautiful young woman to be my wife. In later years, we laughed when we looked back on my awkward proposal, anything but romantic. I earnestly told her about my highest calling… Continue reading

Good parenting requires saying “No” to a child, perhaps as often as a “Yes.”  It is up to the adult to say, “It is bedtime and you have to put away your tablet.” Or, “Your diet will be a balanced… Continue reading

This week I watched parts of a Congressional hearing. Words fail me in an attempt to explain my response as I observed people with power over my life showing such explosive anger. Was I sad, mad, dismayed, contemptuous, scathing, angry,… Continue reading

In my prayerful reflection this morning, I found myself so very sad. The infighting that is America these days weighs on me. Americans cannot find common agreement about anything – race, economics, politics, the pandemic, faith. The civil society that… Continue reading

We all deal with stress that comes from a thousand different directions.What does my boss want from me?Could anything else possibly go wrong ?Will I ever feel whole and healthy again?Is it even possible to overcome that addiction?What is happening… Continue reading

A wide and deep streak of frustration runs through our lives these days. I had an appointment with a physician yesterday. His disposition is usually sunny, his outlook positive. Not this time. His words were cynical, his comments revealing a… Continue reading

When we hear someone respond to a question about how life is going by saying, “I’m livin’ the dream,”  the tone is usually sarcasm. The meaning is exactly the opposite of the statement. That person is plowing through day after… Continue reading

Bill and Sue (pseudonyms) are good people. They are well-educated, productive, moral persons. They have well-developed social consciences, are sensitive to the issues of the day and are engaged with the world in which they live. They are a pleasant,… Continue reading

Yesterday I wandered around the big, beautiful sanctuary that houses our congregation. It’s a place I love, where we ‘worship’ with joy and practice parts of our faith. I felt such a sorrow, such a sense of loss as I… Continue reading

My grandson, who will be 6 years of age next month, is visiting this week. Yesterday when I was mowing the lawn he approached me. “Pop, I want to help you.” He joined me on the riding mower and then… Continue reading