When my dad resided in the assisted living facility at Harwood Place in Wauwatosa, WI, he frequently could be seen walking the property, both inside and outside. He often wore a favorite yellow cardigan sweater with one or more of his World War II army medals affixed to it at chest height. This was so […]
Number 13 of the Evergreen Park Boys Club Pirates positioned himself in deep center field. As the Oriole batter stepped into the batter’s box, #13 knew what was coming. Earlier in the day that batter, a neighbor across the street, had walked up and announced: “I’m going to hit the ball over your head tonight!” […]
The time is April, 1966- Easter season and my freshman year at Luther South High School. I am standing alone in the basement of Ashburn Lutheran Church in Chicago, wearing my ‘stylish’ new pointy-tipped shoes. I am acutely aware of my mother’s absence. She has been in a sanitarium for the past 3 months with […]
There was a very popular song in the 1960’s entitled “If I Ruled the World”, where each day was the first day of spring and hearts would sing. It was an idyllic view of what the song writer wished the world would be, reminiscent of the Biblical Garden of Eden. But even in that paradise, […]
Have you ever given up anything for Lent? For many Christians, what they give up may be either temporary or largely symbolic. For those of us in our transitional Land Between, what we most likely need to give up is of a permanent nature- fixation on past events, an unforgiving attitude, self-perception that isn’t Scriptural. Current appearances […]
From the moment I started attending Timothy Lutheran School in Chicago as a 4th grader, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Actually, truth be told, I first wanted to be a pastor until I figured out there was more to that calling than writing and preaching sermons. Teaching was the […]
We often associate the New Year with a fresh start, carrying the hope that things will be prosperous or improved in the coming year. What are you hoping for this year- winning the lottery, finding that special someone, better health, a return to church work? In 1 Samuel 4 and 5, Israel goes into battle […]
In Hamlet Shakespeare writes: “When sorrows come- they come not single spies- but in battalions.” He might well have added “especially at Christmas”! Christmas intensifies the impact of our adversities, much like a magnifying glass igniting a leaf by concentrating the sun’s rays on a vulnerable spot. Bombarded by messages of ‘peace’ and ‘joy’, there […]
Many years ago, my mother and I returned from a shopping trip to discover that the side door to our house was unlocked. To my young mind that meant only one thing-burglars had broken in and were hiding in the basement waiting to attack us! I wouldn’t enter the house until my mom descended to […]
We long for a quick exit from our “land between”, an instantaneous miracle that brings closure to our situation on a moment’s notice. With the psalmist David we cry out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my […]
Whenever I was preparing my class for a field trip, I would emphatically draw their attention to the fact that complete strangers would be taking notice of their behavior and that the field trip was a magnificent opportunity to be witnesses of God’s love to others. I learned this lesson as a child, although I […]
How did your downsizing happen? Did it hit like a bolt out of the blue or, in retrospect were the signs slowly but imperceptible building? Personally, although I was experiencing a growing uneasiness in my teaching ministry, I held on to the belief that if any teachers were let go, my seniority would save me. […]