A Jester’s Promenade

Hello on the last days of September, I have noted from time to time that I have these chronological couplets, where two significant figures or events from my life share a date. And today, the 27th of September is one of those days. It is the day I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp inContinue reading “A Jester’s Promenade”

Intent and Consequence

Hello at the end of a variable month, This week we’ve ushered in the fall, the harvest- and color-centric of the seasons. I have noted how this season is so significant for us both literally and figuratively in my recent posting, and certainly, those thoughts are central to me as the fall equinox has arrived.Continue reading “Intent and Consequence”

Finding Joy Despite Impermanence

Good morning on a Monday morning, Today is a typical autumn day, as it was chilly (even more so in a harbinger manner), but the afternoon should be delightful. The humidity of the weekend is gone, and the breeze, while a bit uncomfortable now will be appreciated before the day ends. There is a bitContinue reading “Finding Joy Despite Impermanence”

A Redux of When does Autumn Arrive?

Hello on a Sunday Evening, It was a good weekend overall, and it seems like the weeks move more quickly, and indeed, we are into the last full week of summer. I attended a soccer game, went to church, and earlier today went with Brad to see the movie, Tony, about Anthony Bourdain at theContinue reading “A Redux of When does Autumn Arrive?”

Episode Two of the Circus

Hello on a Monday afternoon, The week has begun with a plan and some degree of anticipation since I was scheduled for my first of two cataract surgeries this morning. I’ve know for a few years this was on the horizon, but I met that distant boundary was met last September. Unfortunately, the primary providerContinue reading “Episode Two of the Circus”

Che Guevara and Luigi Mangione

Good morning from the coffee klatch, While driving to get blood work done this morning, I was listening to NPR, and the story airing was about Luigi Mangioni, the young man charged with the killing of Brian Young, the late CEO of United Healthcare. What an interesting story about the national response to this youngContinue reading “Che Guevara and Luigi Mangione”

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”

From Kent State to South Minneapolis

Hello as January turns to February, As a history major, as a person who studied philosophy at all levels in higher education, as a person with both a background immersed in the liberal arts and theology, I find daily life as simultaneously predictable and no, something fascinating and yet that often creates apprehension. As myContinue reading “From Kent State to South Minneapolis”

Colorless Christianity

Hello from my small, but tranquil corner, As I ponder the reality of Advent and its implications for faith, as I reflect on the spirit of Christmas, I like many want to focus on the simplicity of the season, even when everything around me seems anything but. The purely driven snow reminds me of theContinue reading “Colorless Christianity”

When Kindness is Dismissed

Hello on an mid-November evening, While my salutation is somewhat non-committal, and I am a generally optimistic person, the daily rejection of kindness or simple goodness in the world, the country, and even within my own minute corner of Bloomsburg of has me rethinking life on a fundamental basis. From basic manners or expressing careContinue reading “When Kindness is Dismissed”