Generosity > Greed

I have been fortunate to have several people in my life who exemplify generosity and inspire me to follow in their footsteps. In the last year I have been challenged and encouraged by Glen Van Peski’s Take Less, Do More  and a class on The … “Generosity > Greed”

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Travel Tips, Hints and Hacks

I have always appreciated when people make a collection of tips, hints, or hacks which encapsulate lessons they have learned in short, pithy statements. I really enjoyed Kevin Kelly’s Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier. Glen Van Peski has numerous “Pro … “Travel Tips, Hints and Hacks”

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Wind: estimating speed & chill

Wind can make it feel significantly colder than the measured air temperature. This is one of the reasons that an ultralight windshirt can seem to provide a significant amount of warmth. On a recent trip to Iceland we face nearly continuous strong winds which required … “Wind: estimating speed & chill”

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Take Less, Do More

Take Less, Do More is a refreshing departure from the typical books about voluntary simplicity, ultralight backpacking, or minimalism. Rather than centering on our relationship with “stuff” the book focuses on how we engage the world around us influences our life.  Many books in this … “Take Less, Do More”

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Love > Orthodoxy

Deep truth transience the human ability systemize knowledge. God’s Spirit cannot be can’t be fully captured by human constructed theological assertions and orthodox creeds. I appreciate why people want to be sure their faith to rooted in the truth. Orthodox creeds provide comfort and a … “Love > Orthodoxy”

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Stanford’s Healthy Aging 50+ Conference

Stanford’s Lifestyle Medicine first Healthy Aging 50+ Conference (Agenda, Videos) was held in Feb 2024 .  I was encouraged to find that my understand of what leads to a fit and healthy life has a great deal of overlap with the material they presented. I … “Stanford’s Healthy Aging 50+ Conference”

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Model of Maturity

The following is an integration of material from Life Model Works and what I have learn while coaching and mentoring people since the 1980s. TL;DR Love is the Measure and Goal We were made by God to experience love in the context of relationships. A … “Model of Maturity”

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Gear 2024

I have found simplicity to be a useful lens which led me to simplify stuff in my life down to a set of items that enable a healthy, impactful life, while removing unnecessary friction and decisions. The following is a complete list of everything I … “Gear 2024”

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Eat the Frog

Many people make New Year’s resolutions. Within a few weeks the good intent disappears in the face of the realities of daily life. For millennia our wise elders have told us that forming habits is the most effective way to bring about change.  the Bible, … “Eat the Frog”

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Optimal Group Sizes

The optimal size of a group is first determined by the function of the group. A group will need the requisite skills, abilities, experience, and manpower to accomplish its goal. In addition to function, there are cognitive and social underpinnings which influence the optimal size … “Optimal Group Sizes”

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Good Churches

In older times people didn’t choose a church. Geography determined what church you attended. The parish church was responsible for the spiritual needs of an area. The good thing about this was that you saw the people from your church everyday and could do “Life … “Good Churches”

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Gaza

Hamas, Palestinians, Israel, and the “West” Updated Sept 10, 2024 The  satiric post Israeli, Palestinian officials commit to ensuring kids grow up hating one another underscores the current war between Hamas and Israel will have no winners, just losers. More civilians will be killed. Two … “Gaza”

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Finding Common Ground

What allows people to let go of revenge and drop their contempt for others long enough to actually listen to the other? How do you get people out of their rut? My observation is that this happens when people start to see others as individuals, … “Finding Common Ground”

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Bema Seat Judgement

The Bible talks about a judgement that people who know Jesus will undergo (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, etc). This is often called the Bema seat judgement. I didn’t look forward to this judgement.  It sounds like a…. Judgement.  My expectation is that this would … “Bema Seat Judgement”

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Grief

This has been a grief filled week. My sister’s husband Don passed away on Monday. It that wasn’t enough, most of my close friends have had some new grief in the last few weeks. Finally there is the horrible devastation from the Israel / Hamas … “Grief”

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Unity, Freedom, Charity

In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity. Rupertus Meldenius Over the last 40 years I have often heard this quote. There is some confusion who actually penned this quote. I believe I found an answer in the article In Essentials Unity, In … “Unity, Freedom, Charity”

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Beauty

Today I listened to a wonderful podcast with Sarah Clarkson about the importance of beauty. A quote that will stick with me: beauty is a tangible encounter with God’s goodness  She is very interested in our embodied lives, something that I am coming to see is very important. … “Beauty”

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Love: The Heart of Goodness

Unconditional love is the most powerful and important force in our world. Love is the heart of our connections and communities, possessing the remarkable power to mend fractured relationships and bridge gaps between people. Love not only opens our hearts to others but also serves … “Love: The Heart of Goodness”

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Book Themes

I have been spending a bit of time thinking about what’s important to me, what’s shaped my life. I noticed that there seem to be themes which thread the books I love, the stories I tell, and the way I try to live. Today I … “Book Themes”

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Spirit of a Place

I attended a group prayer / worship meeting held in Bridgetown Church’s Prayer: Room. As I entered I felt overwhelmed, moved to tears. The space felt holy. Part of it was the candles and soft lighting. Near the top of the four walls was the … “Spirit of a Place”

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