Stories

I was looking for inspiration on my book shelf and found this: "Learning is something that takes place inside the person-a change of some sort.  Training is something that is done to the person-it is a planned experience that is expected to lead to learning.  All training does not result in learning, and all learning … Continue reading They’re All Related.

When I was getting ready to graduate from college, I was afraid.  It was going to be a huge change, and I didn't know if I was ready.  I felt like I was falling apart. So I asked my friend Charles to go hiking.  Charles always seemed to handle all the pressure of college so gracefully, … Continue reading I’ll Make This Quick.

A couple weeks ago, I was in Nashville with my younger son and daughter for an ice hockey tournament.  We had Sunday afternoon free, so we went downtown to shop for boots and eat barbecue. As we sat down for lunch, I looked around the restaurant and said to my daughter, "I know that couple … Continue reading Connections

The season of Lent began last week on Wednesday the 18th. Lent is a season in the Christian Church in which people are called to reflect on who they are and who God calls them to be.  The season is 40 days long leading up to Easter.  (40 is a pretty popular number in the Bible.) … Continue reading Have you failed yet?

...will blow your mind! ...will totally shock you! ...will make you laugh till you pee! ...will make you cry till you pee! ...will make you look at waffles differently forever! Or not. Not everything is awesome.  Not every movie is the greatest  you've ever seen.  Not everything sucks either. Not every bad meal is the … Continue reading You start to read an ordinary blog post. What happens next…

The other day I was picking up some sandwiches for lunch, planning to meet my wife at home.  I grabbed some chips and drinks for us while the sandwiches were being made and waited at the counter.  When they were ready, the guy behind the counter put both sandwiches in a small paper bag, so … Continue reading Better than me?

I met him 20 years ago, but only for a few minutes.  I was doing an internship in the hospital, and I hated every minute of it. I was 24, and the thought of hanging around sick people held no attraction whatsoever. I was not very good at it either.  So what I would do … Continue reading Because you can.

So this weekend, documentary filmmaker Michael Moore posted the following tweet: First of all, I think it's important to remember that Michael Moore's main product is Michael Moore.  He makes controversial films.  He says controversial things.  Tweets such as this promote his product, him.  On one level, it's no different than when Madonna hitchhiked naked … Continue reading Michael Moore and vilifying the “Other”

WE. A dangerous word. Granted, I can use it accurately in my immediate family.  WE love the Chicago Bears.  We love the Chicago Blackhawks.  WE would have loved the Atlanta Thrashers, but I'm sorry, WE don't love the Winnipeg Jets. Beyond that, it's a dangerous word. There are a lot of people I have something in … Continue reading the problem with WE

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?