Author: Patrick

30 years ago I graduated from college, and April 27th marked 25 years since I officially became "Reverend" Patrick Day. I vividly remember trying to decide where to go to seminary. I was interested in Austin Seminary in Texas. A friend who was from Austin told me, "Patrick, because I want you to succeed, do … Continue reading It’s Not Broken, But…

In the Christian tradition this week is kind of a big deal. Last Sunday we celebrated with palms the story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem to confront religious and political powers. This week he will be betrayed by a friend, denied by another, turned over to the authorities, tortured, and killed on a cross. Sunday … Continue reading Holy Week

Last week I wrote this, talking about how I was worried people in college would notice me in my brand new loafers. I've been thinking about that notion a lot this week. When I was a child we did not have a vaccine for Chicken Pox. (This is not a post about vaccines; it's a … Continue reading Noticed

This is a picture of my dad. *** For the last several years during Lent, our family has had a practice that is in addition to any other Lenten discipline we might choose. Each day there is a bag on the kitchen table and each member of the family has to place something in the … Continue reading Shoes

As a preacher, I have never been good at coming up with the catchy sayings or cool sermon titles to draw people in. You know the, "Come learn about the four M's to a better life," kind of thing. As a matter of fact, cleverness has often backfired on me. I was doing a thing … Continue reading Expectations

I decided I would give up meat.* Some people give up chocolate or wine. I don't drink much wine and chocolate doesn't have much of a hold on me. So I thought I would give up meat. I was doing great, too. Just a Diet Coke and granola bar for breakfast. Another Diet Coke and … Continue reading Food

I have struggled to write the last couple weeks. I've had ideas, but as I've sat down to write all the ideas seemed repetitive. You know the whole thing about draft horses, and how they pull more together than the sum of what each one does individually? Yeah, I was going to write about that. … Continue reading Why We’re Here

Today we close out our series on energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Why these four traits? Read THIS. I have a devotion series on my phone I listen to each morning. A few weeks ago, it covered the story of the Wisemen visiting Jesus and asked the question, "If you could hold the baby Jesus, what … Continue reading Love

Today we are on part three of our series: energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Why these four traits? Read THIS. *** Part of me would like to say that imagination is in short supply right now. On one hand, it seems like many are having to keep their heads down just to get through the day. … Continue reading Imagination

Today we continue our series on energy, intelligence, imagination, an love. Why these four traits? Read THIS. *** I believe in hard work. I believe that there are rarely shortcuts, magic cures, or "4 F's to better health!" However, today I want to offer you two simple steps that will greatly improve your life. Two … Continue reading Intelligence