People often ask me what my real name is. They want to think it's a nickname, or short for something like Maxwell or Maximillian. Can you imagine me being named Maxwell? That's far too predictable, far too strong. Maximillian? That's far too grandiose for me. But I'm...

Technology made it possible. My wife and I joined millions in watching the Coronation of King Charles III. What pomp and circumstance! What an affirmation of tradition! My mind was stirred with all sorts of questions and affirmations throughout the entire event, and I...

Those who know me fairly well know that Peanuts is my favorite cartoon. If they knew me a bit better, they would conclude that I pay regular attention to many cartoons.  Dennis the Menace often gets my attention. In one cartoon, Dennis is being punished, sitting over...

According to the Cleveland Clinic, giving releases feel-good chemicals in your body like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, lowers blood pressure and reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. That’s good news. In addition to giving being a spiritual act of worship, we...

One day Lady Astor said to Winston Churchill, "Mr. Churchill, if I were your wife I'd poison your tea." He replied, "Madam, if I were your husband, I should drink it." There are always people around who will bring us down to size. What we need is to be brought up to...

In a recent cartoon, President Biden, patriotically dressed including an Uncle Sam top hat, is standing by a tree which has been chopped down. The tree is named “Afghanistan.” The ax that cut down the tree is wedged in the ground near the tree stump. President Biden...

I don’t know when I discovered it; no more than a few months ago, but I have    become a regular reader of Pearls Before Swine, a  comic strip by Stephan Pastis.The title refers to Jesus’  admonition, "Do not cast your pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). According to...

Billy Graham died February 21, 2018, but who can forget his powerful witness? He was clear and courageous in his commitment and teaching. Here is an example: “If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the Resurrection because that’s the heart of...

Hallelujah! It’s Easter!  Maybe it’s my age (I’m 88), but my celebration seems to be richer and more meaningful than ever. Easter always brings to my mind the memory of a friend who was a Benedictine monk.  The way we lived our lives has been vastly different, but I...