The power went out in Grabill last week. The owner of the grocery store called the coordinator of the food bank, wanting to give her the contents of the freezer and the cooler. She was without power. She called me. The church was without electricity, too. Thanks to some creative generator use, a meat-packing plant, […]

(First published July 19, 2011. And here’s the video version) It happens to all of us. A friend, a family member, a coworker looks like they have picked the wrong track and are heading toward a trainwreck. Not physically, probably, but emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. I probably hear about more of these than many people because […]

(First published January 13, 2010) My office is always dark. The blinds are usually open but the overhead lights are off. They give me headaches. I suppose, however, I shouldn’t say “always”. The other day, for example, I wanted to look deep inside a broken video camera. I turned on the lights. All of them. […]

I walk into the bathroom and turn on the electric switch. Nothing happens. For three days nothing has happened. I know the power is out. I still reach for the switch. Habits are strong. The computer is off. I walk past my office and look at the screen. It’s still off. I still look. I […]