Uphill idealist

There are a few fates worse than death when you are in middle school: tripping up the stairs with your arms full of books because you were staring at that person you have a crush on... having a teacher, parent or other adult call you honey or sweetheart in front of your classmates... and the worst... being the last person (or next to last) picked on a sport team in gym class. No one want to be the last one chosen, no one wants to be unpopular, no one wants to be the underdog. The underdog is the one who always struggles, fights and often isn't the winner at the end of the kickball game. But to be honest, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the underdog. When I was a child, I used to watch a cartoon that helped me learn to love the underdog. The cartoon was, big surprise here, "Underdog!". It was fascinating to see how a poorly equipped, not particularly strong super hero, managed to win. Underdog the Dog would never fail to give it his all and rush into the f...

This is a photo of my daughter and I at the ELCA youth gathering in New Orleans the summer of 2010. This evening we were at the Superdome about to hear Donald Miller speak. Can you tell we were a little excited??? There were over 40,000 people at the dome that night, but what remember most was being happy and being with her.

After having a tough day, a dear friend wrote me this note. He's been studying John 14 when Jesus comfort his disciples. Here's what he said to me. Somehow, I think it speak volumes and may be just what you, like I needed to hear... "I have been Studying this for past week. That was the first instruction Jesus had for his disciples according John 14 the night before his crucifixion. I find that people that cause others stress and anxiety or try to put others down, do not exhibit fruits of the Holy Spirit that Jesus said would be apparent when we have received him. They may believe in God but they still live by the law which kills, only the Grace of God gives life. So these persons that attack you, they are probably attacking the message that Jesus is still trying to get to us. And that is, Love. Love is the most important trait that is most like God, that we can exhibit to each other. " John 14 Jesus Comforts His Disciples 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You b...

Image from Webshots American Greetings. I was thinking of foundational principals like... Faith.... Hope.... and love..... when I first started thinking about this question. I thought about writing and reading good books due to the great ideas that are shared... I thought about music and art and the beauty they possess... But when it comes down to it, I think relationships... Sincere, Authentic, Holistic Relationship are the something that is most important to me. In relationships like this there is sharing of life and ideas.... sincerity... faith.... wholeness... hope.... beauty... and ultimately love. Those are the kind of relationship umbrellas that stand up to many a life storm.