As the American public pores over every possible cause for Omar Mateen’s act of evil atrocity at the gay nightclub in Orlando, one label we should not place upon it is, “surprising.” We can debate an ISIS connection, domestic terrorism, or a hate cri…
There is a certain kind of freedom that permeates the air of summer. Maybe it’s because I am able to spend more time outdoors giving my mind the space to wander where it will. To me summer always feels like the perfect time of year to daydream and li…
I’ve watched enough people die over the years to know that nobody can design their own death, even if a few rudely step in to try and engineer it. Yet we all contemplate how our final breath might happen. For me, the most desirous scenario would be t…
3
“Deciding everything is falling into place perfectly as long as you don’t get too picky about what you mean by place. Or perfectly.” These words appear on a brightly colored print at my house from Iowa-based artist Brian Andreas. The figure in the pi…
This weekend, many Americans will hitch up their trailers or pack up their tents. They’ll load up their truck beds and trunks with coolers, roasting sticks, and marshmallows to enjoy a weekend of camping. It’s not everyone’s ideal getaway (I have one…
3
Up at the top of the St. Paul Sanctuary, floats a red foil heart balloon. It’s been there for seven weeks. I was using that helium balloon during our Good Friday family service, until a curious preschooler freed that helium balloon from its weight. I…
5
Recently, I spent a couple hours in Chicago’s O’Hare airport as I waited for a flight. I had some time to waste so I sat down near my gate and watched the crowd of people make their way to various connections. If you’ve spent any time in a large airp…
Political correctness keeps popping up as a turn of phrase in the presidential campaign of the last year. Perhaps you’ve noticed candidates referencing it with little affection and significant sarcasm. What do people mean when they fling this term ar…
Horror stories of burns are traded between professional cooks like baseball cards. People learn to have a healthy respect for fire. As humans, we often shy away from flames. We all know what it’s like to have bacon grease pop, or to run the iron over…
1
I love a good adventure. I have been looking forward to visiting my brother and his girlfriend in Denver since January, because I knew it would be exciting. My brother, Philip, doesn’t do mundane. There’s a reason he flies planes and loves what he do…
4
Dennis Williams, of Tallahassee, Florida, received a pretty exciting text message a few weeks ago. It read: “We’re at the hospital. Having a baby today!” The only problem was—he’d never met the person who included him in this announcement sent to a l…
1
Last week I joined more than 20 St. Paul folks on a mission trip to Chavies, Kentucky. (If you don’t know about these biannual trips to serve with Appalachia Service Project, you should check them out. Another group is going October 1-8.) The crew I…