We pray for times we can rest up for whatever is going to happen next. Maybe it will be the death of a loved one, or the end of a long marriage, or the loss of a career. We do …

Humans have a lot of basic needs you wouldn’t necessarily think about unless someone pointed them out. For instance, humans need stories. We do not just like stories. We need them. We cannot live without sleeping. We cannot sleep without …

I grew up in Carter County, Kentucky. About ten miles west was Carter Caves State Park. As with most Kentucky parks, there was the obligatory lake, lodge, campground, golf course, etc. But I went there for the caves, especially Bat …

Joseph Campbell wrote about the hero’s journey, which has consistent qualities across all cultures and times. The call has three basic elements – departure, initiation, and return. For our purposes, I will break it into seven additional parts. The individual …

A couple of weeks ago it was my privilege to be the featured speaker at the Boulder, Colorado PFLAG Awards Banquet. It was the first time I had done a scripted presentation (which is how I write and present sermons) …

I had hoped I would not feel the need to write about Caitlyn Jenner, given the media frenzy and all. But I probably should have known I could not remain silent. I am a public figure. Caitlyn is a very …

Judging is essential to a well-lived life. Cathy and I raised our children based on our best judgment. We chose to keep a tighter rein than most New York parents. Years later our children told us our judgment was flawed. …

I have always made friends easily. During most of my life there were at least 3 or 4 people I called best friend. I could never choose just one. When I was very young, before the world insisted I behave …

New York Times columnist David Brooks says there are two different types of virtues, résumé virtues and eulogy virtues. I spent the first half of my life building résumé virtues. Most of us do. There is nothing wrong with that. …