One segment of my course, “Music, the Arts, and Culture,” consisted of an overview of film scores – their composers, history, techniques, etc. In the process, teams of two or three students were assigned to give class presentations. We chose films “out of a hat,” literally, so no one would feel they were unfairly assigned … Continue reading Incantations
Tag: bible
220: The Way Home
If you travel to Montoursville, Pennsylvania, chances are you will drive on US 220. For me, this was the way “home.” Travelling east on Interstate 80 from western Pennsylvania, take the exit near Mackeyville, and pass by Mill Hall, Lock Haven, Avis, Jersey Shore, Linden, Duboistown, and Williamsport, then arrive in Montoursville, the town I … Continue reading 220: The Way Home
Wisdom Revisited
While I’m recuperating from a medical procedure, here are some thoughts I posted on my office door many years ago. This is an edited version. The “Wisdom” of the World contrasted with Christ’s Wisdom: Never apologize. Saying “I’m sorry” is a sign of weakness. “First, be reconciled with your brother.” It takes strength to admit … Continue reading Wisdom Revisited
The Corinthians
Once upon a time, there was a Corinthian King who said he loved his country. He said, “I love the poorly educated.” He also said, “When somebody’s nice to me, I love that person. Even if they’re bad people, I couldn’t care less. I’ll fight to the end for them.” Perhaps he thought, “nobody knows … Continue reading The Corinthians
Mercy
An Easter Meditation Some of us like to pray for justice. Amos 5:24 is often quoted. “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Yet, if the Lord decides to give us what we truly deserve, perhaps we should be happy to receive mercy instead. In the Easter season, we … Continue reading Mercy
The United States
Once upon a time, in grade school, we had to memorize “The American's Creed,” written by William Tyler Page in 1917. I still remember parts of it. “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent … Continue reading The United States
Of Cabbages and Kings
Once upon a time, there was a king who imprisoned a man because that man publicly protested when the king married his half-brother’s wife. It came to pass that the king held a lavish banquet at which his wife’s daughter danced seductively for the king and his highest officials and wealthiest nobles. The king was … Continue reading Of Cabbages and Kings
Exile
When I taught a freshman course called, “Justice and the Good Society,” I used an equilateral triangle to describe the relationship between church, state, and individuals. My point was that historically speaking, whenever there was not a healthy tension between the three, society suffered. When two of these conspired, the third was in trouble. For … Continue reading Exile
On Our Sleeves
I wrote this piece in 2012. It was my tribute to Coach John Czap and became a part of my book, “On the Shoulders of My Teachers.” “I admit High School P.E. was not my favorite class. It always seemed to me the jocks got the easy A's and the rest of us might get … Continue reading On Our Sleeves
Words and Works
Once upon a time, I lost my keys in the snow. Obviously, they didn’t make it to the bottom of my coat pocket. I realized this when I got to my office. After I retraced my steps, there was still no sign of them, so I mentioned their disappearance to our custodian, Mac, when I … Continue reading Words and Works
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