I need to confess; I did not enjoy going to worship services when I was a child. Some reading this may feel a connection with me on this topic while others may wonder why I went to seminary. It was not the church’s fault. The problem was that I did not like to sit still for an hour, whether it be …
Campus Protests
I remember watching the Vietnam protests on a black-and-white television set during my childhood. I was living in a conservative south Texas town where it was rare to see men with long hair or women with flowers in their hair. Most protesters were peaceful youths who passionately wanted the war to …
Road Trip
My wife and I recently left Austin and drove west across Texas. Our SUV was filled with suitcases and small household items. In a few hours, we were west of Fredericksburg and joined I-10 where the speed limit was 80 mph through the barren Edwards Plateau. Spring rains had greened and flowered the …
Blabbering
Almost a decade ago, I was asked to attend a nonprofit committee meeting. I joined the nonprofit the prior year and was very busy at the time, so I inquired as to why I needed to attend. I was informed that there were issues and they wanted “fresh eyes” to observe the committee. No other details …
Charismata
I published my first book, Trading With God, in 2019. Before I wrote this book, I went to seminary for two years to understand theology, Christian history, and Scripture related to the intersection of work and faith. Once my theological degree was completed, I spent two years researching the topic …
Paybacks
I worked on an integration project team while in Houston during the early 2000s. The project was winding down and I began thinking about my next assignment. I wanted to return to energy trading after working on a year-long organizational project. My supervisor called me into his office, told me to …
Screwdrivers
I am sitting in a Seattle Airport lounge awaiting my connecting flight to Victoria, BC. It is still winter and in Seattle, this means cold, rainy, and cloudy skies. I stare out the large windows and see parked Alaska Airlines planes, runways, tall trees, and distant mountains. I am grateful to be …
Bethlehem
Christmas Day has sadly passed, and the news programs are now discussing the past year: celebrity deaths, wars, politics, gun violence, climate change, and sports. Most of the topics are negative with occasional glimmers of optimism. We mourned those who have died and celebrated new life, marriages, …
Christmas Church Services
It is the week before Christmas and the final days of Advent are upon us. I attended my church’s three Advent services and was especially moved by the carols and lessons service during the second week of Advent. Carols were sung by soloists, young children, and the congregation. Between these …
Telling the Truth
My first trading position was as a domestic gasoline trader. I traded in New York Harbor (NYH), a large hub of gasoline supply for the northeast US. This region did not have enough refining capacity to supply the populous industrial demand, so my job was to purchase gasoline from imported cargoes, …