Year: 2008

As every father knows, a child is special, no matter what age. Sarah is no exception. She is special in her own way, and always will be to me. The wedding of a daughter is a bittersweet experience. There are … Read more

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