A Pilgrim’s Odyssey

A Day Of Memorial

Somberly, with patient reflection, remember those who gave their lives defending our country, and the friends and loved ones impacted by the loss.

Find a time and place of peace today, and remember that we are able to live in the greatest country history has ever known because of them.

Building Community

We are an isolated people. Alone, disconnected, this is where we are weakest.

To become connected requires intentionality. You must allow others to be known.

Ask yourself, when was the last time someone really wanted to know who you are?

When was the last time you took a true interest in someone else?

Connectedness requires good questioning and patient listening.

Remembering Aiden Leos

Today we remember Aiden Leos, tragically killed last week in a road range incident where the 6-year old was shot while he sat in his car seat.

Listening to his sister and mother describe the incident reminded me to focus on the things that matter, and encouraged me in my work. May our prayers be with them, and may Aiden's memory be eternal.

Forward Momentum

On a long drive today, I was reminded how our lives are either moving forward, or moving backward. The middle ground doesn’t last long, you eventually succumb to the latter, or decide to take part in the former.

Our world seems to be a battle between the two camps, 1) What can you do for me vs. 2) What can I can do for myself. One points fingers and looks back for reasons to justify what they want to be given, the other camp uses their hands to grab hold of what is in front of them and move forward. The power of momentum in either direction means that you cannot escape this battle.

Our faith is similar. You are either moving toward or away from God, there is no middle ground.

Days Of Wonder

Days of Wonder are only as far away as a little gas money, your feet, and the will to live free.

Be a rebel, focus on the things that matter. Not the things social media, the news, and TV tell you that matter.

Signs Of The Times

Police officers quitting and retiring at record rates. 

Rampant burglary allowed in our big cities.

Both are signs of our times, and you might want to pay attention.

Better yet, maybe a refresher course in Bible stories. After all, you might be living in one.

The Pentagon Says Shut Up, Or Else!

The official politicization of our military is upon us. It’s impossible for anything related to government to be completely apolitical, although throughout our history our Armed Forces have tried hard to be. Not any more.

The Pentagon, ordered by the new Secretary of Defense, will now screen members for their political views. The Pentagon is preparing to launch a program that will screen the social media posts of military members for "concerning behaviors" amid a broader crackdown on domestic extremism, according to a report on Tuesday. Of course, how “extremism” is defined is the true tricky widget.

The program will reportedly utilize keyword searches to identify potential extremist views. Officials are attempting to compile a list of keywords that would not violate freedom of speech protections. More alarmingly, it has been reported that a lot of this surveillance will be performed by artificial intelligence.

If this is allowed to stand, eventually the military will become the military wing of politicians to empower their political positions. Those who oppose these positions will be silenced or worse.

Beware Of Bears!

One needn't travel far to be reminded just what wild is, and how good it can be for the heart!

Wake up, get dirty, and don't be afraid to be yourself: all lessons my family learned today on a short but epic little adventure into the wild.

A little fear - Beware of Bears! - can be a good thing for a civilized soul.

A Thousand Lessons: Life and Pandemic

What lessons are you passing down to those you love?

Are you intentional about it?

What a great legacy - passing down the lessons learned and strength found in our bumps and bruises.

But what happens when the lessons of the past are forgotten? Especially those on taking care of yourself during the worst of times. I think one reason the last year was so stressful was that in many ways we have forgotten how to take care of ourselves. Even in fundamental ways, and Covid has exposed our vulnerabilities.

Life At Ludicrous Speed!

I was given a ride in a friend’s new Tesla Model S and introduced to “Ludicrous Speed”. It was an exhilarating reminder that whatever our point of view, life changes fast, and you better be ready.