My dad could fix anything, and I am so grateful he had me right alongside to hold the flashlight on every occasion. In the crawlspace under the house repairing the plumbing, or under the hood of the pickup adjusting the timing, or in the garage changing out the flywheel pin on the lawn mower engine. …
As a writer, I need words to communicate. And there are many times (like this morning) when I sit down to write and I don’t know where to begin. I have an idea, a thought or emotion that I want to convey, but I’m not sure from which garden to go out and gather words …
I don’t pay much attention to news outlets online, but last night I made the mistake of scrolling through the suggested news clips that YouTube recommended on the COVID crisis and I quickly clicked the X to close the app. I immediately felt my stress level rise. Among the suggestions, there was enough confusion just …
What’s the deal with sourdough bread? Why are so many people baking it? It makes some mad because they can’t find flour. But from my vantage point, folks are having a lot of fun with it. And I’m doing my part to fuel the fire. I should have kept count, but I’ve given away at …
While faith is a central theme of how I live and make decisions, I realize it’s not for everyone. I’ve known many friends over the years who have decided faith is no longer something relevant to them. There are lots of reasons against a life of faith that make sense to me. especially intellectual ones. …
I cry a lot. I bet I cry every day. Sometimes several times a day. But probably not for the reasons you are thinking. There are more than just tears of grief. I felt my eyes well up as I caught a glimpse of the waxing gibbous moon in the eastern horizon through the tongues …
On the first day of class, the Dean of Students at the theological school I attended in Northern California gave a very important introduction. I still remember it very clearly 33 years later. He made a statement that made some students very upset. I know better now what he meant and why he said it. …
Warrior recently reminded me that part of the pain of my grief is like physical therapy. I’m not just dealing with loss. I’m also pulling on the scar tissue of past wounds that may have healed improperly having been joined as one flesh for so long. Loss isn’t just caused by death. A partner can …
A few years ago I went to see my doctor about my right ear. It appeared to be blocked and I could tell it had influenced my hearing. She took a look and right away saw the problem. There was a big blob of earwax impacted. “It’s an easy fix” she said. Then proceeded to …
It’s impossible to escape the myriad of opinions about this Coronavirus situation and what should or should not have been done. Much of it is only rooted in anger, which is understandable. But these are not the voices to pay attention to. Listen for the prophets. A prophet is one who has a timely message …