No Place Too Far

In 2016, ABC News ran a story about a woman named Tiffany Otterbeck.  Tiffany and her husband had had a baby, she’d gone on parental leave, and now, she had returned to work.  One night, even though she was exhausted from working all day and then caring for her young daughter, she decided that she was … More No Place Too Far

Like Clockwork

Every weekday morning, our alarm goes off at 5:30am. After getting up, getting moving, tending to the dog and the cat, I head to the gym. I step onto the treadmill and look at my watch. It is almost always 6:01am as I press the “Start” button. (Or, 6:02am if I’m moving slowly.) I do … More Like Clockwork

How Long?

Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?    How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I bear pain in my soul    and have sorrow in my heart all day long?How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?  Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!    Give light to my eyes, or I … More How Long?

Muscle Memory

I have four words for you which either should either strike terror in your hearts, or make you laugh.  Are you ready?  Ok:  here they are: I went axe throwing. Yes, it’s true.  For fun and sport, Lori and I went axe throwing.  We were invited by some good friends to join them in an evening of hurling axes at … More Muscle Memory

The God who Waits

Mark was a functioning alcoholic who I met when I was doing my student chaplaincy at a treatment center in the Twin Cities.  A “functioning alcoholic” is someone who is addicted to alcohol, but is able to maintain, at least for awhile, their jobs, their families and their lives.  Their addiction often does great damage in these … More The God who Waits

Let the Dog Out

I have a recurring task set up on my computer’s “to-do” program for noon, every Tuesday. At that time, I get a reminder that pops up on my screen that says “Let the Dog Out.” On Tuesdays, before the pandemic, Lori would go all day to the Twin Cities for her work. And because we … More Let the Dog Out