When I was boy we rarely attended church because my father thought church people were a bunch of phoneys. Still, he had enough sense to give us kids a decent idea of the Creator God, human sin, and eternal forgiveness, through Sunday morning TV-lounging when
Hope and compassion during time of COVID-19 terror Read More »
I’ve never been one of those fathers who believes that having a particular relational status somehow makes you a more complete human being. Even so, we’re not made to be alone, but to connect in spirit and mind and other ways with other people, for better or worse. Discuss.
On healthy shame and valuing our girls Read More »
The moment with my boy had nothing to do with coronavirus and all these anxieties. But there I was lounging on the couch, and there he was, beside me, playing his guitar and singing about the end of the world. It’s that JP Saxe song, If The World Was Ending. It’s a love song, really. One that asks, during the world’s final curtain call
Longing for that long tomorrow Read More »
EGBE, NIGERIA ✦ We’re on our motorcycles — my friend Rick has offered me his for the afternoon — at a place called Prayer Rock. It’s a lookout at the end of a bumpy, winding dirt road near this historic town in Kogi province, a brown patch of earth in central Nigeria that’s been touched by Canada. It’s my last day here. The spot seems as
Some roads less travelled in Nigeria Read More »
MUKONO, UGANDA ✦ This column is about UCU’s new, yet-to-be-named vice- chancellor. But first let me tell you about the Ugandan who was happy to tell me about his recent marriage.“ Congratulations,” I said, before asking, “How old are you?”
“Thirty.”
I said congratulations again. “That’s a good age.”
Then, like a good counsellor
Settling for only the best Read More »
MUKONO, UGANDA ✦ It’s hockey night in Uganda and you’re running, running, chasing that little red ball that’s, of course, (this is Africa), held together with just hope and tape. During a break, you ask a question. How old are you? “Twenty-one,” someone says. “Nineteen,” says another. “Twenty-two.” Another
Hockey night in Uganda – remember this Read More »
MUKONO, UGANDA ✦ This morning I FaceTimed the family. Child Number 1, a musical girl, was having sinus pain. So I looked up there and noticed Taylor Swift and a hall of high school girls having a party. Looks like they’d moved from my daughter’s inner ear. I suggested this may be causing her pain,
FaceTime during African sunrises and other musings Read More »
MUKONO, UGANDA ✦ So I’m back in this East African nation for a working visit. It’s also a good time to get myself unplugged. You know, rested and rebooted. The warm days and the warm people and the children help. If you visit (and why don’t you, sometime?) you’ll know what I mean. The children of the Nile,
The children of the Nile and a rhythm of rest Read More »
