Something Unique
Today I thought about dactyloscopy–the art of fingerprinting. Penn State requires fingerprinting as part of our clearances to work with children, and since I’m volunteering at the local high school for a writing conference, I traveled for fingerprinting today. It’s truly amazing if you think about it. I learn that your fingerprints are more unique […]
Stop and Marvel
As I walked back to the parking garage after teaching classes yesterday, I felt the weight of a long day upon me. I could hardly put step after step. But then, I hear the giggles and cooing of two college girls who had their phones tilted down towards a little squirrel who sat perched on […]
In Just One Generation
Something strange has been happening to me. I’ve been praying like never before in my life for a great revival in the US among young people. Are you doing the same thing? Mostly, I pray about deception, fear, and anything that blinds their eyes to who Jesus really is. It’s an odd feeling to want […]
My Best Thought
At the time of this writing, I’ve written over 3,500 blog posts, numerous articles, eight books, and countless academic essays including a thesis and dissertation. And I’ve spoken over 100 times to various audiences in various contexts. And I’ve read more books than I can mention. That’s a lot of words. Probably too many. I […]
When in Central Pennsylvania
If you live in Central Pennsylvania, you’re going to meet hunters. You’re going to become friends with hunters. You’re going to find they deliver you gifts of spicy venison sausage which you have no idea how to handle. And even though you mostly don’t each much meat, you’ll try a slice of it or fry […]
Valentine Nostalgia
Happy Valentine’s Day! On Valentine’s Day in our house, we always celebrate with little bags of chocolate and a small gift, and we traditionally eat lasagna for dinner with cannolis for dessert. Even though my girls are older and we no longer choose Valentines to fill out for their classmates or decorate the shoebox into […]
Anticipating God’s Work
This morning I hear from a wise older woman, Ceil, who has learned how to trust God through difficult circumstances. After many years of walking with Jesus, she writes this: “I find that now I feel less of a need to try to control circumstances, and I have more of a sense of anticipation to […]
When You Begin to Feel Old and Irrelevant
Every so often, the strange thought overcomes me that I’m too old and irrelevant to work with college students. This semester, I know I’m not imagining things. I grow older; they seem younger. I’ve already heard a few “OK, Boomer” comments (and I patiently remind them I’m actually Generation X, but that’s beside the point). […]
A New Word: Gimcrack
Last night I learn a new word: gimcrack. Gimcrack! It’s fun to say. It means “flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive” as in the gimcrack prom dress sparkled fake diamonds while the hemline fell. You can call a beautiful meal without a pleasant taste a gimcrack dinner. You can talk about your gimcrack room […]
Another Good Question to Ask
In one of our online class discussions, I ask students the same question Mary Pipher poses in her chapter “What You Alone Can Say” from her book Writing to Change the World. She asks, “What do you most respect in others?” The answers surprised me in many ways. I suppose I thought I’d only read […]