A Submarine Moment
An image sticks with me. Sitting in a group discussing the importance of presence in our lives, we talked about how rarely our thoughts are actually filled with only what we’re doing at the moment—who we’re with. I ask each person
Manufactured Moments
I got an email from a good friend who wrote, “Some days I am worried about the future of our finances, my relationships, my kids, or the health of those I love. Other days I am just content to have
A Political Jesus
Is Jesus a liberal or conservative? I’ve read many commentators and scholars over the years who see in Jesus a political ideology or social cause. Whether liberal or conservative, no surprise they generally see him on their side of the spectrum
Redefining Pointless
So I’m on my way in to an event at our church. We’ve got a well-known guest musician coming in, there are additional details to deal with, I’m running late, and nearly out of gas. Not a good combination. Of course
Here Be Dragons
I played football the first two years of high school. Well, I was on the team…didn’t play much. But for what I lacked in ability on the field I tried to compensate with what I could do well: study. I
White Bag
I spoke at the funeral of a friend today. Military service at the national cemetery at Miramar. Crisp white naval uniforms folding the flag, taps from a lone distant bugle, fighter jets overhead, thanks from a grateful nation. Watching family
Kingdom of Grace
Provoking line from a film: I don't know what it is about going to high school with someone that makes you feel you're automatically friends for life. Who says? Who says friendship lasts forever? Older I get, one of the hardest
Slideshow
A longtime friend and part of our community died last week, and spending last moments with him and his family has me thinking again about grief and loss and how we comfort each other and learn to heal. And asked to
If You Want Your Dog
A friend called and asked if I would speak to a friend of hers–a cancer patient who was staring down a hard road of chemotherapy and radiation. I didn’t know him or his family, but my friend said she thought
First Person
Took my teenage son out to get bagels and cream cheese today. Between mouthfuls I asked about the new boy who came over last night with the usual neighborhood friends to hang in the back room. Turns out he’s another teen
