Author: Patrick

As I mentioned last week, I joined an on-line exercise group for the first 90 days of 2018.  The posts in the group are interesting.  Some of them are very specific: I missed my workout yesterday.  Should I double up today, or just do today's workout? I think my nutrition has been off a little, and … Continue reading Goals, Part 2 →

I joined an on-line fitness group for a 90-day challenge to begin 2018.  There are about 9,000 people in the group.  In that group, I have seen numerous posts about nutrition, diets, supplements, etc.  I shared the following suggestions there.  A number of people found it helpful, so I thought I would post it here, … Continue reading Goals, Part 1 →

On September 1, 2017, I started a three-month sabbatical from the church I serve.  It was a pretty amazing time. I got to spend time with my kids, traveling with my oldest to visit colleges, with my younger son to play some hockey, and long peaceful days at the barn with my daughter. I started … Continue reading 2018 →

When I was in seminary, I sat in a theology class with six other students around a table.  One day, the discussion was about oppression and prejudice. People shared some very personal painful stories about how they had been mistreated at best, abused at worst. I sat quietly. Finally, one student noticed I wasn't saying … Continue reading Not Me →

So I have this game on my phone.  I don't have a ton of games, just a couple.  Puzzle games mostly.  I'm a fan of checking out, but I still like to keep my mind engaged to some extent, rather than mindlessly throwing birds at a building, or whatever might be popular now. In this … Continue reading Nothing New →

This weekend is my 25th college reunion.  Due to other obligations, I will not be going. College seems like yesterday and it seems like a lifetime ago. Along those lines, I have mixed emotions about those four years. It certainly would be interesting to go back.  When speaking with a classmate recently, she said it will … Continue reading Go DEACS! →

In 1972, Francis Ford Coppola made an incredible film called "The Godfather."  He followed that up with "The Godfather: Part II" in 1974.  Great movie.  26 long years later, I couldn't wait to see what I knew would be an awful movie called "The Godfather: Part III."  Aside from Andy Garcia pulling a Tyson and … Continue reading What Moves You? →

This blog has been quiet for a couple months.  Part of that has been unintentional; summer schedules interfere with the discipline of writing. Part has been intentional; I have observed through comments, feedback and private messages how people read what I write through the lens of their experience.  I realize that is unavoidable.  However, it … Continue reading FOCUS →

At different times people in my congregation have asked me what I'm reading, and what I recommend.  Add to that, it's the last day of school here.  Summer has begun.  If you're heading out to the beach and want something to read, I offer the following suggestions. Healing Spiritual Wounds by Carol Howard Merritt.  It's … Continue reading Summer Reading →

Here is one of the tips I received in the 1980's about how to tell if a date was going well. Unlock the passenger side door first.  Walk around the back of the car, and look in the back window.  If your date leans over and unlocks your door, that means the date is going well. … Continue reading Old School →