One of my earlier pastoral jobs was in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Before the U.S. television show The Office made it comically famous, my family and I knew Scranton as home. In this old coal-mining town, the American dream faded decades before. When the coal miners of Northeastern Pennsylvania went down into the deep mines, they would take a caged canary with them. They kept careful watch over the bird, knowing that when it started gasping for breath (or died), they had little time left to... Read More

The landscape of the human heart is not smooth, well lit, free from confusion and complication. The landscape of the human heart is rough and varied, huge mountains, dark valleys, parched streams, crooked pathways, hidden caves. Its geography is hard to know, hard to traverse, hard to inspect. Danger lurks in those valleys, trouble hides in the caves, twisted pathways leave you lost, riverbeds leave you thirsty. It’s fearful to go where the sun never shines. But... Read More

It wasn’t long into my adult life that I realized I wouldn’t make a very good Stoic. I tend to find much too much pleasure in the material things around me. Whether it is a fine painting, a delicious meal, or a well-performed piece of music, it is natural for me to define the good life as one that contains liberal amounts of each of these. The physical, created world is full of engaging and entertaining delights to enjoy, but it is essential to remember that nothing it contains... Read More

There is no one no matter who they are no matter where they are no matter how young no matter how old. There is no one no matter their successes no matter their failures no matter how very rich no matter how tragically poor. There is no one no matter how great their strength no matter how profound their weakness no matter if they wield power no matter if lost and forgotten. There is no one no matter how religious no matter how profane no matter if comfortable... Read More

Last week I wrote about the difficult process of aging. It’s accompanied by new aches and pains, a changing body shape, loss of energy, and the inevitable reality that you are one day closer to death. How cheerful! In addition to this physical decay, we are being bombarded with “spiritual” messages from a culture that idolizes youthfulness and is addicted to flawless body composition. No wonder getting older is a struggle! We will physically feel our body aging, and we... Read More

Thank you, Lord, for the morning light reminding me of your presence and faithfulness. Thank you, Lord, for every breath I breathe reminding me of your sustaining mercies. Thank you, Lord, for physical strength reminding me that all power comes from you. Thank you, Lord, for a mind that works reminding me that all rationality starts with you. Thank you, Lord, for the coordination of the members of my body reminding me of the wisdom of your design. Thank you, Lord,... Read More