Soon to arrive in my office is a gift my daughter gave me many years ago. Best known as “Newton’s Cradle,” it used to be a popular office item. The version most of us know was created in the late 1960s, but the concept was explored in the late 1600s by physicists. Actually, Newton had... Continue Reading →
I've watched with both pride and concern as my college-aged son has immersed himself in the Black Lives Matter movement, ranging from large, loud protests to riding through downtown Grand Rapids in a skateboard protest. My concerns, given the violence that has rocked some of these protests, is obvious. My pride comes from seeing my... Continue Reading →
By Mike Howes Over the last 5 months, vacations and outings have been few and far between for many of us. Back in June, our family took a trip to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. We met Kelly’s sister’s family there, as well as her parents. We felt pretty safe making the trip, as... Continue Reading →
For this week's rumination I'm stealing from a nun! Okay, not really. I'm sure Dante has a special circle in hell for people who steal from nuns. However, I'm providing the article below that was published online by my favorite nun (and, yes, I have a favorite nun). Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble has appeared on... Continue Reading →
When John Furniss was 16 years old he tried to commit suicide. He survived. His sight did not. Clearly a troubled young man he later turned to meth as a way to cope, becoming addicted in the process. After run-ins with the law, he turned to his parents for help. With their support, he became... Continue Reading →
Sometimes the familiar is suddenly unfamiliar. Take Jesus's parable of the sower -- we all know it. The farmer throws some seed out and some fall on the path and the birds eat it. Some fall on rocky soil, takes root, and grows but the soil is thin and the plants soon die. Other seed... Continue Reading →
Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was too tired. Why do melons have weddings? Because they cantaloupe. We know them, we roll our eyes at them, but secretly, we all love them -- the classic dad jokes. Not sure how they got coined with that term, as they’re told by people outside... Continue Reading →
William Merritt Chase (American, 1849-1916). The Mirror, ca. 1900. Cincinnati Art Museum I recently read an article that challenges us to "not let this opportunity for insight and growth pass by without taking advantage of it. God speaks to us through the events and people in our lives, even (or perhaps especially) through difficult situations... Continue Reading →
“Our works do not ennoble us; but we must ennoble our works.”Meister Eckhart Unfortunately, our best artistic picture of Eckhart is of one dour looking guy! Lately I've been spending some time with Meister Eckhart, a 13th century German priest and mystic. Eckhart was rather controversial, as are most mystics, and he even had to... Continue Reading →
Like most of you, I've been following the fallout from the death of George Floyd. This is an incredibly difficult time for our nation, for people of color, for police officers, and for anyone who cares about how others are treated. I was impressed by President Scogin's email and if you did not read it,... Continue Reading →
Monday Ruminations 