Stories

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?

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…