Month: November 2008

When my son Isaac was only two years old, every morning, I would ask him what he wanted for breakfast, and he would shout, "Peanut butter!" And when I said "Yes", he would jump around the kitchen yelling "Yeah, peanut … Read more

Rules structure our lives. If we don't have enough laws of the land to police ourselves, we make more rules — for our homeowner associations, for example. It seems like we cannot do anything correctly without some governing organization directing … Read more

We live within walking distance of an extensive urban park. As we enter this park, we are surrounded by big deciduous trees and various paths. A few minutes' walk leads to a broad, open area just like a meadow. On … Read more

Our town is a mail stop on the Appalachian Trail. I have talked to some of the hikers on the trail. I have learned that every now and then, a tree will be marked to let them know that they … Read more

I had a very disconcerting moment recently. I left my home to pick up the current catalogues of a major retailer, and on leaving my car, I tucked my keys into my waistband and proceeded into the store. There, I … Read more

Where I live in western Pennsylvania, rivers and streams flow down through the plateaus and foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. In the early morning hours as I drive down into the low hanging cloud bank along the Allegheny River Road, … Read more

I have worked with teens for the last several years, and one of the things that bothers me is the careless way they often speak to each other. I have developed a couple of short workshops to show, in a … Read more

I was in a dining room recently when a caregiver for troubled children came in with a few of her charges. A little girl, possibly between ten and twelve years of age, dropped her fork and spoon. Her hands were … Read more

It is a great thing to serve people, but we are to do so as serving the Lord, rather than as serving people. I have had many negative reactions from people in various congregations and choir groups with whom I … Read more

Many years ago, a paramedic showed me a soldier's knapsack Bible. It had belonged to his uncle, who had been killed in World War I. The Bible, along with his other possessions, had been returned to his grieving family. As … Read more