My pastor, Fr. John Taylor, was our speaker for the church men’s breakfast this month. He talked about his prior career serving then-disgraced former president, Richard Nixon, and discussed the recent public release of more Watergate tapes showing once again Nixon's latent, and sometimes blatant, racism... but also showing perhaps how Nixon was an adherent … Continue reading A Million Little Judgments

Cosmos. It's the cheery flower that Janet loves but could never grow. It's been a running joke in our home for 20 years. Each Spring, she'd muster her courage and buy it again, plant it next to all the other flowers and shrubs that were healthy and growing, and the cosmos would shrivel and die. … Continue reading Of Butterflies and Caterpillars

For decades, my brother Tomaj positioned himself as something of the black sheep in our family, the third of us four boys, and the wildest among us. We stayed overnight in his Bay Area home on our way to Oregon, where I hope to write some final entries for a book of reflections. Somewhere during … Continue reading Who’s Wicked

Two days ago, we spent a night at one of the humbler rural lodges in which I've ever stayed. The small town in southeastern Kenya where it's located has no electricity after midnight, so when jetlag woke me at about 4am, I had plenty of time to lay in the dark, and my mind quickly … Continue reading Eyes of Understanding

John Stott died last week, at age 90. When I read it, I almost felt like crying... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/world/europe/28stott.html?ref=sundayJohn Stott was a spiritual grandfather figure for me in my faith journey. He was the first “light” for my understanding of Christian/evangelical social responsibility, and he put into words what was already stirring in my heart. I … Continue reading So Long, John Stott

I'm watching an elephant being eaten, one bite at a time. That's one of the real takeaways from my trip to Kenya a week ago. The “elephant” is the AIDS pandemic which was overwhelming much of sub-Saharan Africa a decade ago. On this latest trip, we were primarily visiting water-related programs, but along the way … Continue reading Eating an Elephant

In "The Three Crosses," Rembrandt famously painted himself as a face in the crowd at Jesus' crucifixion. See the attachment of the full piece, and then the 'close-up' where in the center of this bottom left section you'll find a bald, bearded, European-looking man staring straight ahead, with almost a glazed look on him. Apathy? … Continue reading Brief Good Friday reflection 2011: Just Another Face in the Crowd

Last year on Maundy Thursday, I waited at a traffic light behind a florist delivery truck. On the back of the truck was wording that reminded readers: Why send flowers? - To say I love you. - Get well soon. - Tonight's the night!"Tonight's the night"? Wow--that can mean all sorts of things.Yet it was … Continue reading Brief Meditation for Maundy Thursday 2011: Tonight’s the Night!

I've finally figured out something to give up for Lent -- the use of my right wrist... and the right to complain about it.Last week I went to my doctor for a few nagging ailments, including a thumb which still was experiencing pain three weeks after falling off a paddleboard into 18 inches of water … Continue reading Involuntary Sacrifices

Two days ago, we spent a night at one of the humbler rural lodges in which I've ever stayed. The small town in southeastern Kenya where it's located has no electricity after midnight, so when jetlag woke me at about 5am, I had plenty of time to lay in the dark, and my mind quickly … Continue reading Eyes of Understanding