Monthly Archives: May 2025

All I Want for My Birthday…

Thought for the Week …is to fly away to Neverland. Yes, it’s my birthday, but I’m far too clever to simply tell you that. So, what’s on my mind? Family? Always. Food? Always. But mostly I’m thinking about aging. Did … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 156 Comments

Motherhood Is Forever!

To say that motherhood is complicated is like saying “the Sistine Chapel is a nice little drawing.” Motherhood marks the start of (at least) one life, and the profound transformation of another. Lives that in all their complexity will extend … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Hope Is More Virulent Than Fear

Five years ago, my wife and I ate at a favorite local restaurant and saw a movie, The Invisible Man. It was an excellent film about an invisible enemy. And speaking of invisible enemies… COVID-19 was spreading. Rapidly. We heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 57 Comments

The Journey of a Thousand Steps

What is it about stairways? Few inventions are so metaphorical. Say, “Stairway” and, before they think of literal stairs, people think “to Heaven.” We can’t help but make metaphors out of them. They have to be ascended—evoking a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

I Always Knew You Loved Me, Mom

I made the above Mother’s Day video a few years back. I’ve posted it here so you can share it with others, if you wish. To show it at a church or other public gathering, click here. Mom was twenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment and Popular Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Movies, Music and Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | 47 Comments

Five Years Ago: A Symbol of Our Resistance

The world was at war with COVID 19, and under quarantine. In an effort to lighten the mood, I suggested we adopt this Rosie the Riveter-inspired badass, Quaran-Tina, as a symbol of our resistance! Now that the War on COVID … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

A Perfect Calm Before the Storm

My Real Memoir I stood in the dark one final time, and said, “Look, if you’re there, just cough or something.” As always, there was no answer. I was angry at God for not existing (although I wouldn’t admit it). … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Wishing You a Tasty Cinco de Mayo!

Thought for the Week I confess, I’m a gringo. But I grew up in Southern California, near enough to take daytrips into México. Plus, I always had enough friends with big Mexican families to get a taste of—and for—south-of-the-border culture. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

“Thank You” – They Really are Magic Words

“Please” and “thank you.” Those were “the magic words,” Mom and Dad taught me. Corny? You betcha. But you know what? When I taught my kids to say them, they really did turn out to be kind of magical. Why? … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

I’m Building My House on a Rock

I’m having a major heart procedure, a pvc ablation, two weeks from now.* It’s a search-and-destroy mission to locate cells that are producing extra heartbeats (tachycardia). In fact, I have more heartbeats than anyone else my cardiologist has ever encountered. … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 221 Comments