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) …
My Head Under the Covers: Being Biracial in a Racially-charged Society
I try to keep my posts encouraging and uplifting, but tonight I am choosing to express my own feelings of defeat in hopes that something positive will come out of it. I do not expect you to feel inspired, but …
The Return of Wonder
So I went to Thailand recently (we’ve established this awesomeness in my previous post). And while I was there you won’t even believe what I did. I rode an elephant. In the Jungle. In Thailand. If that doesn’t sound amazing …
And Now Caitlyn
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 …
Creating Culture
Jeff Bezos (pictured) started Amazon.com with nothing—he quit his job in New York, wrote a business plan for Amazon on the drive west, and rented office space in one of Seattle’s worst neighborhoods. His first desk was a wooden door …
The Power of “Yes, And”
I was recently invited to speak at an international children’s ministry conference in Thailand. To be perfectly honest, the thought of hopping on a plane and traveling so far from home, to speak to so many people who were so …
Working My Way Into Poverty
The older I get, the less I want. Whether it’s money or things or drama or rashes. I’ve finally gotten to a place in my life where less truly is more. I realize this goes against the American Dream and …
The Grit Squad
Dear Cleveland, Dan Gilbert, and whomever else this may concern: I know I have no business sending you this letter. I live and pay taxes in Cincinnati. I’ve only been to Cleveland a handful of times and I’ve never been …
Judging and Being Judgmental
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. …
Hope in Guatemala
I go to Guatemala a lot. I’ve lost count of how many times. I’ve been there so much that it doesn’t seem foreign to me anymore. The brightly colored huipiles, the vendors selling trinkets on street corners and the dust …