50 in ’19 – A Meandering Man’s Reading List

Looking back, I haven't published a blog post in 3-years.  For about a 2-year period, I blogged on a regular basis - writing primarily on faith and matters of the church.  During that period, I had a fountain of inspiration as I read regularly and was immersed in a career that consumed my thoughts and …

Family Matters and the Frustrating Church

Family reunions are a funny thing.  They create this bizarre mix of emotions that only occur in a family setting.  It is this tumultuous emotional churning of happiness and frustration, anger and joy that induces both laughter and temple rubbing.  Families make us feel the full spectrum of emotions, and they do so for one …

Think’n of Ink’n

I waited until my late 30's to really become a rebel.  That's when I got my first ink. My grandfather had a military tattoo on his forearm, and even though he told me he had always regretted getting it, I loved the way it looked.  I always wanted one, but back in the day tattoos …

Inspire: Books

Post #1 in my year-long goal to once a month blog a list of important or inspirational things in my life: As far back as I can remember, I have loved to read.  Books have always been an important part of my life. They have spurred my imagination, challenged my norms, inspired actions, and played …

Searching for Light

I know we are behind the times but my family just watched the Russell Crowe Noah movie.  I have to say, I absolutely loved it.  The film was an incredible portrayal of God's wrath and love, the coexistence of good and evil in the heart of men, God's gift of freewill, the triumph of love, and …

The Journey of Gray Beard

2014 was a year of continued transition for my family and me.  The end of 2013 found me moving from full-time pastoral ministry into a job as a service writer for a friend's garage.  2014 found me settling into that role, struggling to adapt to life after full-time ministry, and enrolling in school as a …

The Burden of Being Good

Thought for the day - If you are going to declare your side good and right, you must be held to the highest standards of conducting yourself ONLY by what is good and right.  That means good and right for all mankind - not just what is required for self-preservation.  Being on the side of …