No Useless Friends nor Harmless Enemies

Hello from the first part of June, and it is warm; We are so affected by weather. It influences not only our decisions and actions, but also our moods, our outlooks, and perhaps as importantly as anything, even how we react or respond to those around us. Most of my life I have lived whereContinue reading “No Useless Friends nor Harmless Enemies”

To Lament or To Learn

Hello from the micro-acre, The summer I did my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at St. Luke’s in my hometown of Sioux City, there was a lot on my plate. I had been diagnosed with what then was determined to be Ulcerative Colitis, I was on leave from the seminary, was planning a wedding at theContinue reading “To Lament or To Learn”

Silence: Wisdom’s Best Reply

Hello at the end of an great weekend, This past week a close friend asked me about how I seem to know how to respond to what someone says or just how to reply in a given situation. Let me preface my response with an honest disclaimer. I certainly have been know to put bothContinue reading “Silence: Wisdom’s Best Reply”

Taking Cover, but Never Ducking

Hello from the still transforming space, As of late I have ponder those things in life that give me some sense of pride, not in an arrogant manner, more perhaps more in a resilient way. As I have found myself on the other side of a daily requirement of working in some “you are requiredContinue reading “Taking Cover, but Never Ducking”

Justice or Partiality: it is a Choice

Hello at the beginning of April, The reality of Spring seems more likely this past week. While the rather usual cyclical weather, both reminding us of the lengthy winter and teasing us the possibility of spring, continues, the increasing hours of light does assist in my more hopeful attitude. As I write it is HolyContinue reading “Justice or Partiality: it is a Choice”

When the Applause Stops

Hello from my little 3rd floor corner of the Magee, As I look out the window, I see a typical little town. There is a statue at the center of our little town commemorating the veterans to the Civil War and beyond, I can see the back of the public library, the flag pole withContinue reading “When the Applause Stops”

Using Power for Others

Hello from my small corner, It’s turned colder again. After a beginning of a week that allowed for walking in merely a t-shirt or a long sleeve, yesterday I had my winter coat on, and this morning the little abode is chilly (or beyond) as the wind works its way through the windows typical ofContinue reading “Using Power for Others”

It Needs Harmony

Hello from a Sunday of uncertain weather, It’s been an interesting winter of weather here in North Central Pennsylvania. Earlier in January, we received the most snow in a storm that I’ve experienced in 16 years. Additionally, we also experienced an 18 day period where the temperature did not get above freezing. That is atypicalContinue reading “It Needs Harmony”

Tradition and Transformation: Fasnacht and Carnival

Hello on a Friday the 13th, There is so much happening in our world presently it is difficult to find a moment to breathe, or at least that is how it seems. Is my looking at all of this my version of doomscrolling or is it something more? I would like to believe that IContinue reading “Tradition and Transformation: Fasnacht and Carnival”

A Scar that Never Fades

Good early morning, Into the post-Super Bowl, pre-Valentine’s Day, middle of the week-Winter Olympics mashup of February. It’s the 10th of February, and a day for me that remains as clearly etched into my memory as November 22, 1963, the 28th of January 1986, 911, or even March 4, 2020 (I actually noted in conversationContinue reading “A Scar that Never Fades”