Marginalia

Made a commitment to the kids to get the Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Some years it’s freezing outside but this year we got some beautiful weather.

While there are certainly moments that I find writing sermons to be a frustrating activity, I very much enjoy the ritual of working through the process and seeing the finished product emerge.

I’m grateful to have time set aside to gather with family and give thanks for blessings in our lives but I also aim to retain that spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving on other days as well.

It always irritates me that Microsoft apps seem to want to update at the most inconvenient times. I think the universe is telling me it’s time to quit working on this PowerPoint.

Getting my children to eat a meal can at times be one of the greatest challenges of parenting. They would both rather graze than actually sit down and eat.

Qatar World Cup: Last Week Tonight

While I’m very excited to watch the World Cup, I’m grateful that John Oliver did this piece to help shine a light on the terrible treatment of the laborers who made this World Cup possible.

I had some dental work done today. I may need to ice my face later, or have a little ice with whiskey to dull the pain.

Watching the Eagles and hoping we don’t have a repeat of the game from Monday night. Let’s go Birds!

Cold outside on a Saturday means staying inside and reading a novel.

Currently reading: Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerr 📚

I’m so grateful for the work I get to do and never tire of being a pastor but after a long week I’m grateful for a day off tomorrow.

It’s been a long but productive day and now it’s time to finish it with something that has been aged in a barrel.

I’ve spent the last few days at a regional gathering of pastors but now I’m back in my own congregation which feels like returning to my local franchise after visiting with the larger cooperate structure.

I’ve been thinking all day about how I’m going to use the word aluminum in a post about my day today but I can’t seem to come up with anything clever.

Had to go down to Philly today for a gathering and hoped to leave before traffic getting home was too bad. I was unsuccessful.

Returning back to normal life from being on vacation for a week requires me to adjust back to my normal routine but with the gain of renewed energy for what’s to come.

Based on the way my kids are behaving this morning I have a suspicion that this could be a long day. Hoping I’m wrong.

Beauty on display in Lake George today.

Grateful for the privilege of being able to serve as a minister of word and sacrament but also grateful for weeks like these focused on my primary calling as Husband, Father, and Child of God.

Current Status: Peaceful

Driving five and a half hours with my young kids in the backseat is never fun but I’m certain it will be worth it once we get to Lake George.