When I was a kid, my dad was connected to a church camp near a local lake. It was a rustic camp experience. Originally, there was a Quonset that housed the kitchen and supplies. Campers slept on cots in teepees, mostly cooked outdoors, and experienced nature up close and personal. Like the time a skunk […]
I had someone close to me say that they didn’t believe in God. My reaction was not surprise or disappointment or sadness. It was understanding. I understand why people don’t believe. Faith doesn’t make much sense. In addition, God has granted me the spiritual gift of doubt. I was a science teacher and have always […]
Again this year, I posted this on Facebook – If you could describe your 2018 in one word, what would that word be? I realize it is difficult to capture 365 days and a multitude of experiences in one word, but I find it interesting. I am making a lot of judgments on making categories […]
Soon it will be Christmas. Time for lots of things, including memories and traditions. Most families have recollections of their holidays – some great, some not so great. Remember the Reader’s Digest Christmas trees? You would meticulously fold all the pages, spray paint it gold, and afterwards — it looked like a really horrible gold […]
My granddaughter and I are pretty good buddies. In church on Sunday, she wanted me to hold her while we were standing and singing songs. It made me realize that this was coming to an end. Not next Sunday, but it’s coming to an end. She is going to reach the height and weight where […]
Often we hear that Advent is the season of waiting but I think we need to refer to Advent as the season of anticipation and preparation. Do you like waiting in line at the grocery store? Maybe you enjoy waiting at the doctor’s office? How about the security line at an airport? Or to use […]
What does God look like? If I was made in the image of God. Do I look at others the way God looks at me? With caring acceptance and best intentions. How does God look at those who have committed great sins? The same way that God looks at those with little sins. When do […]
On our last trip to Haiti, I took a picture of a row of our water bottles. We just take water for granted. The local water there isn’t safe for us to drink, so we buy five-gallon jugs of “Culligan” water and use that water for drinking, brushing teeth, or cooking. It’s so easy to […]
For the past several years, I’ve worked with church-affiliated organizations. I’m now working with a non-profit that is not religiously or church affiliated. It is a great non-profit that has multi-faceted programming and empowerment activities for girls, but simply not a religious-based organization. In my new world, we have gone to lunch a couple times […]
Recently, we dedicated a school on the island of LaGonave, Haiti. It is named the Rob Marchand Education Center (RMEC), after my best friend who died of cancer four years ago. His wife and kids, along with my wife and a friend were able to attend the dedication, distribute RMEC backpacks and RMEC t-shirts. We […]