Author: Patrick

Why? It's a question we who work in the church are asked frequently. Why did my child die? Why is my wife sick? Why would God let him linger like this? Why? Questions about suffering are always difficult to respond to. Yes, there are rare times we can easily connect the dots when someone is … Continue reading Why?

Provocative title, right? I was told they should be eye-catching. So, here's why I say that.  Tomorrow is January 1, and a bunch of people will make resolutions to live differently in some way. (They're not the liars.)  Others will claim that they don't make resolutions. (They're the liars.)  Some of this second group will claim … Continue reading People are LIARS!

I have done a bunch of weddings.  Usually, when I meet with a couple for the first time and ask them how they are, I receive some variation of the following response.  “Things are going well.  We have the flowers picked out, and are meeting with photographer next week.”  It takes us a while to move … Continue reading PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING ISN’T ABOUT THE WEDDING, EITHER.

I loved Pittsburgh, but not the cold. So I told God I didn't want to move anywhere colder than Pittsburgh.  I had two job offers after graduation, Detroit and Chicago.  I chose Chicago. I ended up staying in the Chicago area for 13 years.  There is a lot I could write about from that time. … Continue reading Part 5. BEARS.

In the spring of my senior year, I was accepted to seminary in Atlanta and Pittsburgh.  I chose Pittsburgh. When I told a friend I was moving to Pittsburgh, she said, "That's a hard city.  You'll love it there."  I don't know what she meant, but I took it as a compliment. And she was … Continue reading Part 4. STILLERS.

There's not much I can say about the college years. 2 snapshots. 1. A "C" in Bowling. 2. On graduation day when I had my diploma in hand, my father approached me and said, "Well, I wasn't sure you'd get out of here much less do it in four years.  Good job.  I'm proud of you." … Continue reading Part 3. “O here’s to Wake Forest, A glass of the finest.”

When anyone asks me where I grew up, I always answer North Carolina.  We moved there before I started 8th grade. It was quite a change from Central Pennsylvania. First day of school went something like this. Homeroom Teacher: Class, we have a student who is new to our community.  Is Pat Day here? Me: … Continue reading Part 2. Let’s Go Red Devils!

My goal is to post something once a week.  However, this week I will be posting something every day, as we have 44 years of a rather ordinary life to get through. When I was a child I lived in State College, PA, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions.  Like so many other kids, I … Continue reading How I Got Here, Part 1. WE ARE…

I started a blog about 7 years ago.  It seemed like the thing to do, but it ended up being a mish mosh of thoughts and ideas.  Some of it was meaningful- I posted the eulogy I offered at my mother in-law's funeral. Some of it was not- What song would you like playing when you came up … Continue reading Coming Back