Category Archives: Living Life

I Choose Not to Wear a Mask

As a person fast approaching the magic “at risk” age, I choose to not wear a mask. I know that will drive some of my friends in larger urban areas absolutely nuts. Let me say up front that I am only talking about my decision, for me. I am not trying to tell you what… Read More »

A Week in Paradise

My wife and I don’t traditionally go on vacation that much. In the earlier years of our marriage, our “vacation time” was typically spent taking the family hither and yon to visit grandparents. (My wife’s family lived in the Western United States and my family lived in the Eastern.) From experience, I can tell you… Read More »

Science Proves Me Right!

We’ve all heard countering claims before, about just about any topic you can think of. Eventually someone trots out “scientific evidence” that bolsters their claim—whatever that claim may be—in order to win rhetorical points and, by chance, converts to their cause.

Movie Day: Moms’ Night Out

I didn’t have high expectations when I went to see Moms’ Night Out today with my wife. I’m not sure that the movie-going public has high expectations, either, as we went to a late matinee and comprised, between us, about 33% of the people in the theater.

The Lure (and Peril) of Our Temporal Rameumptoms

For those of my non-Mormon friends, please bear with me. I am starting this essay with a story from the Book of Mormon, but this story isn’t about Mormonism; it is about humanity. I have no doubt that even if you don’t believe in the Book of Mormon, there is value to be found here.… Read More »

Looking Backward and Moving Forward

New Years is always a time to examine past accomplishments and figure out what you want to do in the future. I’m looking forward to 2014. It’s not that 2013 was bad or had bad memories; I’m just looking forward to the new year. In fact, I was telling my wife yesterday that I’m actually… Read More »

Them which Despitefully Use You

When Christ walked the earth and began His formal ministry, He taught as one “having authority.” This amazed those around him, who were used to hearing preachers who repeated or reinforced the words of others. Christ didn’t do that; He taught His own words and preached His own gospel. One of the earliest recorded instances… Read More »

Friends at First are Friends Again at Last

Yesterday afternoon, about 1:50 pm, I received a phone call from a friend. She had just heard that a shared friend had collapsed at work and passed away suddenly, without any warning or indication. That friend, Ryan Runia, was special to me. I served as his bishop for several years, and we spent lots of… Read More »

Marriage and You

There is a great, simple, easy-to-read post over on Seth Adam Smith’s blog entitled Marriage Isn’t for You. It was posted a few days ago and it has gone viral (to say the least), being viewed by millions of people. It has been commented on in lots of places, including the Huffington Post, the Today… Read More »