Christian Living
-
The Boring Road to a Magical Life
by
in ReflectionsI am not a natural-born rule breaker. This may come as a surprise, coming from someone who wrote a book about breaking rules. The obvious question for anyone who knew me as a child is, “How did you go from being a shy boy who was afraid of new situations and spent an eternity in swimming lessons to a guy…
-
Training Wheels
by
in ReflectionsJesus is many things. He is our Lord, Savior, Teacher, Brother, and Friend. You know what He isn’t? Training wheels. At least not in the way we normally use them. I’ve been working on the virtue of fortitude for the past few years. I’ve mistakenly assumed that it involves me sucking it up and becoming…
-
Pretty Tricky, Devil
by
in ReflectionsLast week, I spent time exploring the idea of being a general in Satan’s army. Good times. I’ve got one more helpful tip for using the devil’s actions against him. (Then maybe we’ll turn our attention to cute lambs and good shepherds.) I think it’s safe to say that, for most of us, our lives…
-
Stealing The Devil’s Playbook
by
in ReflectionsHere’s a fun exercise: Pretend you’re a general in Satan’s army. (Stay with me here…) Just for a moment, imagine you’re one of the bad guys. Now, ask yourself a question: “How would YOU defeat you if you were on the devil’s side?” I once described my spiritual life as feeling like I am falling into…
-
When Busy Making Other Plans
by
in Reflections“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon said that. It resonates because there is truth in it. If we change one word, we uncover another – possibly even deeper – truth. It’s hard for me to imagine a busier month than December. My youngest daughter has single-handedly instituted a family…
-
Like a Champion
by
in ReflectionsThis sign is above the door in the sacristy at Holy Name of Jesus in Sheboygan, where I serve as a lector. In a Catholic church, the sacristy is a room, usually near the altar, where vestments, supplies, and sacred vessels are kept, and the priest and attendants prepare for Mass. It’s kind of like…
-
Watching God’s Movie
by
in ReflectionsFor several years now, I’ve been taking a solo retreat in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. I’ve been going somewhere small and remote and…pink. The bathroom is cold. The wifi is nonexistent. The non-stick pans stick. It’s perfect. I always look forward to the solitude and reflection time it affords. Once there, a big…
-
My Spiritual Therapist
by
in ReflectionsI have a torn labrum. A few months ago, I didn’t know what a labrum was. I don’t even know how I tore it. I like to imagine it’s an old injury from my glory days on the varsity baseball team, but it’s probably the pedestrian result of an almost fifty-year-old guy having done something…
-
You Follow Me
by
in ReflectionsIt all happened so fast. One day my wife expressed concern over my son’s sudden insatiable thirst. A week later and we’re in the emergency room receiving the diagnosis that he has Type 1 diabetes. Just like that, I find myself annoyed by the misconceptions that other people have between Types 1 and 2. (No,…
-
To The Heights!
by
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized a Saint on September 7, 2025. He loved mountain climbing, regularly organizing trips into the mountains with his close friends, with occasions for prayer, liturgies, and conversations about faith on the way up to or down from the summit. After what would become his final climb, he wrote a…