Spiritual Director

Bucket List

Hi Friends: I have always wanted to drive a semi-truck! I want to sit up high and feel the power of the huge truck going down the highway. To shift all the gears with country music playing and my CB radio sounds awesome! (I know, I need to get out more). I’m not so interested in living out of the truck, however, as I know some of them have beds and living space behind the...

God loved you first

As my mom’s health has slowly declined early in 2014, it has become my job to escort her to the car after any family event. My dad, on the other hand, mostly prepares to drive away as soon as he can. Because they have 55 years together my mom will just roll her eyes and shrug. My mom is also incontinent so Dad spreads out a couple of trash bags to cover her car seat....

I am the Good Shepherd

I love children. I love them for their innocence, love for life and unconditional acceptance of God! Last  Sunday at church was  Good Shepherd Sunday with the passage from the Gospel of John 10:11 where Jesus says “I am the Good Shepherd.” The church where I preached had a children’s sermon. I searched high and low through Crawfordsville for something, anything, sheep related to show the children. There are no sheep figurines, there are no...

It’s the little things.

It is really irritating and makes me so mad! I can’t do anything about it, I did not cause it but every time I get in my car I have to look at the small, spider-sized crack in my windshield. My best guess is a rock flipped up from the highway and hit my front windshield right at eye level(drivers side). I was there when it happened. I was just driving along, I was not...

Spring Break

Greetings Friends: It is great to be back after a week off in beautiful Phoenix. One of the many things I noticed out there was how fast everybody drives! It is like New York or Chicago where they pass you and then cut into your lane. We end up side by side or me behind them at the stop light. All that hurry and (semi) dangerous driving for nothing! Since I was a tourist I...

God really does love us!

Grace, peace, mercy, and love from God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit Every Good Friday, every Easter, and every Easter season, I am reminded, awe-struck actually, by what God has done for all creation! I know Lent is a time to reflect and discover the things in our own lives that aren’t just “right.” But, with the Good Friday service and reflecting on what God did for me…for all people…for all of creation…WOW! God really does...

Our “Sin List”

When I entered the hospital room she was crumpled up off to the edge of her bed.  She was a very small, gray haired older woman.  As I checked to see if she was awake she opened her eyes and smiled and said “hello” and greeted me warmly with a smile.  And then she asked me how I was doing.  That always amazes me that a person dealing with their own health concerns and issues...

The Easter Connection

He was a friendly, older guy and struck up a conversation while washing hands in the restroom of a Cracker Barrel restaurant. I didn’t really feel like chatting and thought maybe I could get out ahead of him but to no avail. As we stood there he looked at me and said “It’s a bit chilly out there..” and I agreed and commented on the weather. Then he began with what was probably a 3-4...

Life’s Frustrations

There is a certain “branch” of government we all have to work with if we want to drive our vehicles, get licenses, registrations, etc. I have never had a good experience with said agency until we could register license plates by mail. So now I’m trying to get my 15 year old son, Joel, a learner’s permit! As we went in Saturday morning I was quickly angered by the lack of privacy. It is a...

Back in the Day

“Back in the day” I sold homes for a construction company. I was the sales representative, or new home consultant as we were called, placed in the model home. I helped families as they came in to build their new home in the community. I worked in several different geographical areas of Indianapolis, and what was consistent among families was the importance of the back yard. Everyone wanted privacy and/or to look at a lake,...

Rest and Renewal

I spent the weekend at a Catholic retreat center in Indianapolis to be part of a program that had “Rest and Renewal” in the title! It was good to get away and be still before God. During the program we looked at some Bible passages and how they can apply to our lives. It was like a mini Via de Cristo with small group sharing, fellowship, and talks on the Christian life. During Saturday’s free...

Plan B

Last Sunday the weather was really bad and we got a great deal of snow.  I was scheduled to substitute as a pastor for a small church about an hour away. As I prepared to get ready I received a text from the church that they were cancelling due to the weather. I was relieved not to have to deal with the snow and driving! So I went from my “church clothes” to sweats and...