I come from a small family of three; I am an only child. Growing up, I remember our family life together often felt, well, rather small. And sheltered. And sort of isolated. Not a lot of connection with the wider outside world. Safe and insulated, that was our family. My parents liked it that way. … Continue reading This Weekend, Dickens, and Nicholas Nickleby

Today I am remembering my Dad, Roland Steele Norris (1920-2007), who served this country in World War II, as a B-17 pilot trainer, and air-sea rescue captain. I am also remembering the more than 4,000 American families who have paid the ultimate price of sacrifice in the war in Iraq.May there be Peace on Earth.

This is Zac Sunderland. He is 16, and is planning on sailing around the world. Solo.This morning I opened the LA Times to find this article about Zac's coming adventure. Zac has a web site here, where we all can follow his travels, and watch an introductory video.Zac is also going to be writing a … Continue reading Zac's Big Adventure

I know, some people love it, others are not so impressed. We are excited. Date tonight with my sweet wife!

Today I pondered this short conversation between Jesus and his followers.Mark 9:38-40 (New International Version)"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us. "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name … Continue reading Against us, For Us

Discover Channel is running this in June. I am so excited.

Yesterday, I rode home from church with my older daughter, Kelly, who is now 17. College is a bit more than a year away, and the little girl days are many years behind her. I am slowly getting over that; it depends on the day.As is typical, when we got in the car, she pulled … Continue reading Kelly, Joni, and I

Today, everyday, we stand in a "thin place". Let me explain.Evelyn Underhill was a modern contemplative. She was the first woman given lecture-wide status at Oxford. She wrote 39 books on Christian spirituality and philosophy.Once, when a friend of Evelyn Underhill had been to the Isle of Iona, a place deep with roots in Scots … Continue reading A Thin Place

I found this to be very interesting. Perhaps you will too.http://static.videoegg.com/ted2/flash/loader.swf

There are these two brothers. They grew up in a loving home, with wonderful parents. And, as fate would have it, their Dad was a pastor. And in spite of this, both boys have grown up to be functional members of society, avoiding both prison time, and some nutty period of rebellion living in animal … Continue reading Well Meaning New Ideas