Allow Saturday to do its terrible work — Some days and seasons are darker than others. We need to learn to endure the gray, depressing periods of life because the likelihood we will face them is high. More than that, God’s grace and presence is the help we need in these dark hours. …

Help me understand. — My wife Gail often recounts how her Dad used these three simple words to turn potentially hard conversations into opportunities for deeper understanding. Terry was a pastor, which means he probably had numerous occasions where these words would have been pertinent. Some potential misunderstanding would arise with a church member…

Educational ideology should be explicit, not unspoken — I am picking up hints that people are annoyed at parents for desiring clarity about what their kids are taught at schools. I’ve seen it in comments from school leaders, school board members, politicians, and citizens on social media. Don’t get me wrong. I have zero tolerance for parents acting…

How do we occupy shared spaces without a common vision? — America’s culture wars are intensifying in the nation’s classrooms and board meetings. How long can this public institution withstand the tug-of-war between ideologically opposed groups? Public school board meetings across the country appear to be the hottest ticket in town with multiple hours needed to accommodate public comment. Attend one…

Today’s fruit tells us about yesterday’s seed — The farmer harvests the rewards of the investments made during planting season. He will reap what he sows. Our communities are reaping the fruit of what was sown some time ago. …

Our communities have a long way to go to recover — 2022 is going out with a bang in the Anderson household, or rather, with a thud and a crack! My sweet, 16-year-old daughter, Amelia, took a hard spill at the rollerskating rink that fractured her left wrist. I had intended to write a reflection piece about 2022. I never realized…

In a climate of deep political divisiveness, I must admit to my surprise that Pennsylvania’s two gubernatorial candidates agree on the need for expanded school choice. Senator Doug Mastriano’s campaign site says that he “will work with the legislature to finally bring school choice to Pennsylvania families, so that no…

I am standing my ground on this one — The new world demands a purist kind of devotion. You are with us or against us. This is not a world of both/and, but is one where either/or reigns supreme. You are for X or against X. There is little patience for nuance, further research, dialogue, or uncertainty. …

A battle is raging for your heart — Loneliness is a bigger problem than most of us want to admit. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued a warning about the mental health of our nation’s youth. …