Dearest students, For the last four years, you have spurred my heart to race with rage and fury. You have joked with friends at the table, uttered inappropriate words, played with phones, and otherwise misbehaved when your parents have left the room. You have often made me question why I do what I do. You’ve also blessed me in […]
Read More To All My Students I’ve Ever TutoredThis is the third in a five-part series on Strengths Finder, a fantastic resource from Gallup that helps people realize their strengths. Our culture seems obsessed on exposing our flaws and weaknesses and how we can “improve” by altering or even reversing those traits. But Strengths Finder is all about uncovering your innate strengths and building those virtues. I’ve […]
Read More INPUT: My #3 “Strengths Finder” StrengthI love my grandfather. I grew up a mile down the road from my grandparents, and I often walked to their house for adventures only grandparents and their grandchildren can appreciate. In turn, my grandfather would often take early morning walks to our house, tweed cap, leather jacket, and sweet hickory pipe in tow. My […]
Read More The Story of Ahh: My GrandfatherHey guys. It’s me. No, not the bearded, guitar-toting one. Not the crazy one. And no, not the one who made you cry on a nightly basis during Club. The other one. I apologize to my fellow YouthWorks Milwaukee staff for these incriminating labels. But, uh, back to you guys. I miss you. Each and […]
Read More Dear YouthWorks Milwaukee Students:I haven’t enjoyed many great days since returning to California in August. Three months removed from the summer, and I’m still very much readjusting to the new emotional weight I’ve either gained or lost. Either way, my waistline sure feels funky as I struggle to locate the right belt-hole. Fortunately, a couple great days have […]
Read More Rediscovering Purpose: Field Trip!Today is hard. Five years ago today I lost one of my best friends who just so happened to have four legs and an excitable little tail. And just last year, almost to the day, I lost a friend who I’d never even met in person, and yet profoundly impacted — indeed, continually impacts — […]
Read More November AngstIt’s that special time of the year. The Christmas decorations are up and snowstorms are hitting the northeast, so it must be that wonderful holiday when we greet countless creatures of the night and exchange hellos for candy. Ah, Halloween. I’m always amazed at the angst this holiday inspires among certain Christians. Because, let’s face […]
Read More More than Hello-ween: Change a Life TonightI love me some Jonah. He and I are tizzight like wicks and wax, honey and combs, Christmas and October. His is just one of those stories that especially resonates with me as a fellow wanderer. But this morning my eyes were opened to a new facet of Jonah’s story. The Tarshish-bound crew. I’ve always […]
Read More Beyond the Mistake: Jonah and the Forgotten Crew