I am, I think (I hope) a nice guy. My self-perception is that I am approachable, fairly easy-going and easy to be around. Self-perceptions can be flawed, I realize, so maybe it is just me, but I don’t think so. In talking to a lot of other pastors and ministry leaders I have come to … Read more
First a bit of transparent confession: it has long been a source of some frustration and, at times, embarrassment that I have never been very good at maintaining a formal daily devotion. I’ve tried… believe me, I have tried. It has just always seemed forced, contrived and (to be frank) smacking a bit of self-righteous … Read more
Okay… a Man Bag (that sounds vaguely obscene)… a MURSE… a male purse, if you insist. A friend of mind had back problems and problems with his leg going numb. This was traced to driving around sitting on a massive wallet stuffed with charge cards, customer loyalty cards, business cards from contacts, cash, receipts, and a dozen other necessities. Guys carry a lot of stuff. So much that they can end up with a fat, exploding wallet like George Costanza on Seinfeld. I gave up on the traditional men’s wallet a few years ago, when it became overwhelmed, and I switched to a “travel wallet” … Read more
When you read the headlines and learned that “Hawaii lawmakers create ‘Islam Day‘” did you find yourself incredulous? Did you react as I did and wonder, “With all the pressing problems we have in this state right now, with the real issues screaming for attention, with homeless people living in the Waikiki parks that are … Read more
There seems to be an inevitability about the downward spiral of society. I have no personal animus toward homosexuals. I actually know and have known quite a few people who described themselves as gay, and, for the most part, have had pleasant and mutually respectful interactions with them. That being said, I have moral and … Read more
If you are near “The Original Pancake House” on Kapiolani Boulevard in Honolulu, and are really hungry for the best thing you have ever tasted, order the Apple Pancakes. Bring a friend… it is enormous. The best way I can describe it is an apple pie turned inside out. A big, gooey mass of thin-sliced … Read more
H.L. Mencken is credited with saying that the journalist had two responsibilties: to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. I really think that is not the journalist’s, but the pastor’s role. We focus much of out time comforting the afflicted. Sitting in hospital waiting rooms -(the ministry of presence)- walking beside families through … Read more
While I find Jon Stewart snarky and sarcastic, Colbert is funny. REAL funny. This clip is Colbert at his finest… http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/224128/april-09-2009/b…
I read a lot. Some of it is occupational: Pastors seem to collect books by the box, and I am no exception. The shelves in my office are several deep with books and it looks really messy. I also read for education, as I am back in school, working on my Masters at Fuller Seminary. … Read more