Earlier this year, I acquired a tandem kayak for the specific purpose of introducing my grandchildren to the activity. From my outdated perspective, there is far more adventure to be had in a kayak on a river than there is to be had in a theatre seat with a tub of greasy popcorn at a …
Category Archives: Spirit
Scrutinized Sentiments
Even for those few of us who aren’t glued to a video screen throughout the day monitoring the ‘news’ as presented by ‘legitimate’ news broadcasters and the millions of social media experts who riddle out brains with a never-ending flow of commentary on whatever they disagree with, it was difficult to avoid the now famous …
The Town by the Bend in the River
We posted a similar article in 2015. Not much has changed in three years as we as a society continue to avoid looking around the bend in the river. In his 1999 book The Holy Longing, Ronald Rolheiser tells a story attributed to Dennis Connor, an associate professor at Gonzaga University. Father Rolheiser says the story …
Things Don’t Just Happen
Have you ever traveled to where snow is made, seen the vault where hail is stockpiled, The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness for times of trouble and battle and war? Can you find your way to where lightning is launched, or to the place from …
D-Day, Pray for Peace
On this day, June 6 in 1944, the Allied Forces invaded Normandy, France to initiate the destruction and surrender of the German war machine that would end World War II. Eleven months later on April 29, 1945, Germany surrendered and on August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered ending WWII. War remains. Pray for Peace. General Dwight …
Memorial Day 2018
I lit a candle this morning to honor the millions of men, women, and children who have died in conflict.
The Rich Young Man
It was not until I was 55-years old that I began to read the gospels with genuine interest and a true desire to understand the messages contained in them. The story that has gnawed at my brain since that time is the story of the rich young man. It can be found in Mark 10:17, …
Kayak
With the Kinnickinnic River a short drive from the house and inspired by the thought that I can take my grandchildren on a grand adventure, I acquired a tandem kayak that is easily converted to a solo kayak. Grandson Travis will be the first victim, but we will wait until summer vacation in just a …
Angels
In a recent “Listen Well” offering, author, playwright and essayist Margaret Dulaney referenced the Irish mystic, Lorna Byrne. Unfamiliar with Lorna Byrne, I did some research which quickly grabbed my attention. I purchased her first book Angels in My Hair (©2008) and read the 300 pages over two months in small pieces. The ‘about the …
Education: Path to a Better World
Eighteen months ago, Gail Rongen and I embarked on a direct giving program in Haiti. Direct giving is risky business and it requires trust. We accept the risk because we trust the young Haitians we work with. Our choice is valid… Within the poverty and violence of Cité Soleil, a courageous group of young men …