Stephen's Journey...

  I am drawn to black & white images.  I find them alluring.  They can capture the imagination and compel an individual to "finish" the image in his/her mind's eye.  By finish I mean envisioning the image in color.  While this can be an interesting exercise, in the end, more often than not (if not always), the image I form in my mind does not do the actual image justice.  The same can be said for political views. I am a conservative.  My worldview is biblically based and for that I make no apologies.  That doesn't mean, though, that I have it all figured out.  I don't, not even close!  Thankfully, reading scripture and praying for discernment opens my eyes and reveals to me when I am thinking and acting in a self-righteous manner.  Or, if you like, thinking and acting in "black and white".  However, the bible is clear that there are black and white issues and scripture demands we be aware of those ... and to stand firm in their defense!.  But beyond

Pat, I'm at a loss for words.  Your passing is difficult for me to process.  It is painful.  But I know that the pain I feel pales in comparison to that which Anna & Tommy feel, not to mention the pain you endured so gracefully over the past year.  You, brother, were and are an inspiration!  You always have been! I miss you, brother, and I look forward to the day we rendezvous together in the loving arms of Christ.  Until then, keep your arm loose because we will definitely toss the baseball around...  NKAWTG!  Nobody!!!    Speaker sends          

This blog has laid dormant way too long.  So, I decided to kick the New Year off by posting a short article I wrote for my church's newsletter.  Happy 2016!!! 2016: A Time to Reflect! Three, two, one … Happy New Year … goodbye 2015, welcome 2016!   Wait, what?   Really!?!   Did we not just welcome the arrival of 2015?   We have similar thoughts as each year passes, do we not?   The older we get the quicker time seems to pass by.   Frankly, it seems like just yesterday we anxiously counted down the final seconds of 1999 while at the same time wondering if the world was about to come to a catastrophic end due to Y2K.   But it didn’t, and like previous years, 1999 came and went much like 2015 did ... passing quietly, albeit quickly, into the annals of history.   As I reflect on this, particularly the pace at which the years pass, it raises the question:   “How do I spend my time?”   I certainly won’t bore you with the details here but suffice it to say I don’t spend my time wise

The morning was unseasonably warm as my sister Robyn and I departed the hotel on our way to Grant Park.   As we headed up Michigan Avenue we decided to grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks before we worked our way to the start of the 33 rd running of the Chicago Marathon.   Even though we arrived early, the park was already crawling with people.   Runners of all shapes and sizes, age groups, and ethnic backgrounds filled the park with an energy that was almost palpable.   And in the middle of it all was one six-foot-plus polar bear.   WTH!?!   Obviously it wasn’t a real polar bear.   It was actually a registered runner dressed in a polar bear outfit, head to toe.   He was hard to miss, patiently waiting in line to use one of the many Porta Johns set up for the race.   Okay, sometimes things just don’t make sense on race day but that usually doesn’t happen until late in a race when you are nearly spent, both physically and mentally.   Heck, the battle that day hadn’t even started and

For the two of you who eagerly awaited my explanation of why I won’t run another marathon with my sister, I apologize.   It’s not happening this time around.   I’ve had a busy few weeks and I just haven’t been able to get to it.   I just returned from my second trip to Germany in less than a month (one of which was to Patch) and I’m worn out.   No complaints though.   The trips were great.   However, I promise to get to my sister soon as well as share some thoughts on Patch.   Given that, I want to relay an experience I had last week…        Rarely do I go for a run and not think of my Dad and the impact he has had on my life.   He has taught me many things, one of which is the love of running.   Runners understand that running is a metaphor for life, regardless of your talent level.   Like life, running has its highs and lows.   It can be extremely painful one day and simple the next.    Running teaches you to persevere.   It teaches you to work.   It humbles.   It exalts.  

It was 23 degrees with winds about 10-15 knots.  My son Ty and I were downtown St Louis for the Hot Chocolate 5K.  It seemed like such a good idea two months ago when he talked me into running it with him!  This morning, however, I wondered what I was thinking back in October when I said yes.  Idiot!  As we walked towards the start we chatted about the mug of hot chocolate promised us at the end of the race.  Ty looked up at me and said "it better be big enough to swim laps in".  The laughter was a momentary relief from the cold. We made it to the start and hopped in our corral with about 15 minutes to spare.   We talked about sticking together and Ty assured me he would run the entire race with me.  I was not convinced.  I wasn't sure I could keep up with him given my back issues and having run just twice since October.  I knew I had my hands full.  The race started and it didn't take long to realize I was right.  I tried every trick I know to slow the kid down but