Author: Patrick

Benjamin Franklin used to carry a list of virtues with him, and each day when he attained one of those virtues, he would place a check on the list.  At some point he checked off every virtue except one: humility.  His contention was as soon as he felt he was being humble, then he was … Continue reading One Word

The other day I was in the religion section in Barnes and Noble.  A couple walked in the aisle, and this is what I heard. #1: You just need to give it a chance. #2: I gave it a chance for 17 years.  I'm done. #1: What do you mean?  #2: It's a fairy tale. … Continue reading Food for Thought

When my wife and I started our family, we came up with a system.  One of us would go to bed early, and the other one would take care of the baby. 1:00 am was transition time.  The early shifter would come to bed and when the baby woke up the next time, it was … Continue reading It’s for the children, DAMN it!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what we want.  Today we look at what we need, and the difference between the two.  Language matters, and if we're looking to be fulfilled, we need to understand where our needs end our wants begin. Example: The Smithsonian has held a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to … Continue reading What do you need?

We have always had fake news. Saturday Night Live has offered "Weekend Update" for four decades now, giving us a brief true headline, followed by a wildly humorous critique, never meant to be taken seriously. The Daily Show has expanded that idea into a full show with correspondents reporting back to the anchor desk.  Even if there was … Continue reading Let your YES be YES

My oldest started driving.  The insurance company loves us, as they do any family with a teenage driver. Every time he leaves the house, I have one simple prayer go through my head. "Lord, get him home safely." He's a good driver.  He is. But it's a big world, and a car is different than … Continue reading Behind the Wheel

I hurt myself working out in the middle of August.  Tweaked my back.  It would not have been so bad, except it happened on the morning of a day when I had to be in the car for 2 hours to sit in a conference for 6 hours, only to drive back for 2 hours … Continue reading The Whole Picture

I'm seeing a lot of photos on social media of friends' children heading off to college.  I can't help but think back to 28 years ago when I made that same transition. Obviously, there was no social media, so aside from an introductory letter and maybe a phone call about who was bringing a fridge, … Continue reading ALF for President!

I've been quiet the last couple months.  Part of that has been unintentional.  Summer schedules have made it a little more difficult to find time to sit down. Some of it has been intentional.  Orlando, Baton Rouge, Minnesota, Dallas, elections. And that's just this country. There's a lot going on, and I get tired of … Continue reading Radio Silent

I really can't stand to read pastors' blogs, tweets, or facebook posts, when they bitch about being a pastor. Yes, we do have to work every Christmas, but 1) If you didn't think about that going in, then you're probably not very good at your job, and 2) At least we get to do what we love. … Continue reading This sucks!