Columns

Columns Title

Find the audio icon to listen to my columns.

Chispa Columns

06/30/2024
Back to the Grind
02/04/2024
Groundhog Day — Again?
03/26/2023
A Father’s Questions
10/24/2021
COME FLY WITH ME*
04/11/2021
Blanketed with Hope
08/23/2020
Extravagant Giving is Guilt Free.
05/15/2020
Do You Remember Where You Were Two Months Ago?
05/01/2020
A Faulty Reading Reveals Real Fear
04/03/2020
Focus on Thriving, not Just Surviving
03/27/2020
Becky is home on A Wing and a Prayer
09/22/2019
Knowing How You Will Die May help You Live
09/01/2019
For the Love of Books
05/19/2019
Coloring the World with Hope
03/10/2019
Roughing it with Rotarians
08/12/2018
Changing your story through helping others
07/29/2018
Burkes: Let’s Take a Trip Together
03/11/2018
Jesus saves, but education helps too
01/21/2018
Chaplain books it to Honduras
11/27/2016
Thanksgiving inspires thankful giving
05/15/2016
It’s all in the family
04/24/2016
Purpose lost or purpose found?

audio recordings Columns

07/03/2022
Don’t Let Your Rights Eclipse the Good News
06/12/2022
The Violence of Silence
05/29/2022
A Memorial Day Note to My Neighbor
03/27/2022
No Ties Need Apply*^
02/27/2022
Wars In the Name of Religion*
01/23/2022
Searching for the Sound of Silence*
12/26/2021
Faith should come with a warning label*
12/19/2021
Season of Joy or Season of Woe
10/03/2021
Doubters and Dodgers Push for Vaccine Exemptions
09/26/2021
A Chaplain Manages the Risk*^
09/05/2021
Supersizing Your Order with Gratitude
07/25/2021
Off with Their Heads (video sermon)
07/11/2021
Freedom’s Choice
07/04/2021
The Case of the Stolen Freedoms
06/13/2021
Flag Day from the Perspective of the Fallen (audio)
03/07/2021
A Brother’s Choice (audio edition)
02/28/2021
The 2001 Prayer Odyssey — Why Space Exploration Deserves our Blessing
01/31/2021
Hope Returns with the Victory Vax (audio edition)
01/10/2021
Toilet Paper Accolades Wiped Clean
08/07/2020
Expired Tags Everywhere – What Am I to do?
06/14/2020
“We the People,” not “We the privileged.”
04/10/2020
AN EASTER FORGIVENESS LESSON FROM A WAR-ZONE (3)
01/03/2020
God Loves Us Even When We Fumble the Ball
05/27/2012
Breaking the news of family tragedy is never routine
04/28/2012
Learning to forgive in a war zone

2024 Columns

11/10/2024
Say More Than, “Thank for your service.”*
11/01/2024
Riding with Power – or Riding with Jesus?
10/20/2024
The Chaplain’s Day Off*
10/13/2024
What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?*
10/06/2024
Don’t Talk About God Behind his Back*
09/29/2024
Your Sentiments Exactly
09/22/2024
Don’t Try This Verse at Home*
09/15/2024
Chaplain Rewrites Ten Commandments
09/08/2024
Don’t Tell it to the Chaplain
09/01/2024
Labor Day Reading Needn’t be Laborious
08/25/2024
Characters Real and Imaginary
08/18/2024
Grieving Shouldn’t Be a Secret
08/11/2024
Christians Could Learn from Humanists*
08/04/2024
My Limitless Limitations*
07/28/2024
The Tale the Dead Man Told**
07/21/2024
Bible Will Inspire Our Olympians
07/14/2024
Some Prayers Come in A Different Language**
07/07/2024
“Forced Worship Stinks in God’s Nostrils”
06/30/2024
Back to the Grind
06/23/2024
Sharing Your Faith By Listening to Others*
06/16/2024
A Mickey Mouse Prayer**
06/09/2024
A Recovering Christian and the Catholic Church
06/02/2024
Searching for Faith Isn’t for the Faint of Heart*
05/26/2024
Four Chaplains, One Faith**
05/19/2024
But First, Answer Me This
05/12/2024
Mother’s Day Trivia Game
05/05/2024
Religious Fashion Doesn’t Impress God*
04/28/2024
What’s In a Name?
04/21/2024
The Pantless Chaplain
04/14/2024
Lost in the Translation*
04/07/2024
Don’t Gamble with Faith**
03/31/2024
Win or Lose – Easter Plays the Long Game
03/24/2024
Is Your Legacy in the Bag?*
03/17/2024
The ABCs of Prayer Are Elementary*
03/10/2024
Nonsensical Prayer Slams into Reality*
03/03/2024
To Tell the Truth, I Wasn’t*
02/25/2024
No Laughing Matter*
02/18/2024
Something stinks? It might be you*
02/11/2024
The Hefty Price of Love**
02/04/2024
Groundhog Day — Again?
01/28/2024
Biblical Clarity Can Be Blinding
01/21/2024
When Faith Doesn’t Meet our Expectations**
01/14/2024
Grammar Police Issue Citation*
01/07/2024
Let Me Die In Your Arms*

2023 Columns

12/31/2023
Public Prayer Journal Shares Private Heartbreak*
12/24/2023
A Christmas Meditation**
12/17/2023
Signs Point to God’s Love for Us All*
12/10/2023
“Adventing” Through the Days
12/03/2023
What Is Your Reason for Giving This Season?*
11/26/2023
Talks, Walks, and Squawks*
11/19/2023
The Holiday is Pronounced THANKSgiving
11/12/2023
Military Spouses Also ‘Volunteer*
11/05/2023
Thingamabobs, Phobias and Snakes…Oh my!*
10/29/2023
Pregnant With Truth*
10/15/2023
Coaching Conversations at the Class Reunion
10/08/2023
Two Things I’ve Never Written
10/01/2023
Are You a People-person or Task-oriented?*
09/24/2023
Living with Chispa Chutzpah*
09/17/2023
PKs Beget PKs
09/10/2023
The Game of the Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda*
09/03/2023
Don’t Judge My Books by Their Cover
08/27/2023
Resiliency More Than Survival*
08/20/2023
Chaplain’s Ego Runs Off the Rails*
08/13/2023
2 Life Stages Share 1 Goal*
07/23/2023
Near (Dimwitted) Death Experience*
07/16/2023
Frequently Flying in God’s Grace*
07/09/2023
A Cadre of Padres
06/30/2023
Remains of My Days*
06/25/2023
Taking a God Hike
06/18/2023
To Judge or Not to Judge*
06/11/2023
The Sin of Certainty
06/04/2023
My Wedding Rules*^
05/28/2023
Only the Grieving Know the True Cost of War*
05/21/2023
Surprised by Forgiveness *
05/14/2023
High-Risk Mom and her High Maintenance Son*
05/07/2023
The Artificially Eloquent Pastor**
04/30/2023
Kindergarten Lessons for Life*
04/16/2023
Tuesdays With Jim
04/09/2023
What if today was the First Easter?
04/02/2023
Shutting the Door to Prayer
03/26/2023
A Father’s Questions
03/19/2023
Don’t Give Damn Advice*
03/12/2023
Sharing Faith is No Easy Gig*^
03/05/2023
Life is Not a Drill
02/26/2023
Take Belief-O-Matic® Test to Find Your Faith Brand*
02/19/2023
Jesus Gets his own PR guy
02/12/2023
A Valentine from A Hospice Chaplain
02/05/2023
Let Your “Yes” be “Yes” and Your “No” be “No”
01/29/2023
Life is Complicated
01/22/2023
Cross Reaction to Chaplain’s Cross*^
01/15/2023
Chaplain Unscathed in Faux Robbery
01/08/2023
Resolve to Do a Little Bit More*
01/01/2023
God Seeks to Heal Broken Relationships (3)

2022 Columns

10/27/2024
Right to Judge or Judging Right*
12/25/2022
From Darkness Into Light (3)
12/18/2022
The Late Chaplain Norris
12/11/2022
No Is Not a Dirty Word (3)
12/04/2022
Doggone Chaplain
11/27/2022
Searching for a Sign <3>
11/20/2022
The End is NOT Near
11/13/2022
Vet Day – Honoring the Airman Snuffy in All of Us
11/06/2022
Spewing Honesty
10/30/2022
From the Frowning Tradition*
10/23/2022
Have a Good Day – or Not*
10/16/2022
Planes Trains and Automobiles + a Bus, Gondola and Tuk-tuk
10/09/2022
Walking Around the Wounded*
10/02/2022
Seeking God’s Will or Willing God’s will?*
09/25/2022
It’s Enough to Make a Preacher Cuss*
09/18/2022
Rites Not Always Wrong*
09/11/2022
The Hand of God Expressed by the People of God – The Lisbon Quake
09/04/2022
The Best Book I Read This Year
08/21/2022
A Rising Creek Drowns Opportunity
08/14/2022
“Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!”
08/07/2022
Does the Bible Mention Extraterrestrials
07/31/2022
Chaplain’s Satirical List of Troublesome Faith Words^
07/24/2022
Please call me Norris
07/17/2022
How Much Do You Love Me?*
07/10/2022
Chappie’s Choice^
07/03/2022
Don’t Let Your Rights Eclipse the Good News
06/26/2022
Trolling for Souls^
06/19/2022
Happy Father’s Day to My Foster Dad
06/12/2022
The Violence of Silence
06/05/2022
The Big, Not-so-Bad, Misunderstood Wolf
05/29/2022
A Memorial Day Note to My Neighbor
05/15/2022
Some Wicked Uses of a Wicked Bible^
05/08/2022
Imperfect Mom Taught me to Laugh, Learn and Pray^
05/01/2022
Woman Claims Sinless Streak
04/24/2022
Taxing Friend Finds No Deduction for Integrity
04/17/2022
The Failed Insurrection
04/10/2022
The Oscar Goes to “Turn the Other Cheek”
04/03/2022
Nothing But the Blood
03/27/2022
No Ties Need Apply*^
03/20/2022
God’s Holy Water*
03/13/2022
Living the Dream*
03/06/2022
Do You Watch for God In Your Rearview Mirror?*
02/27/2022
Wars In the Name of Religion*
02/20/2022
Fun Flight Not a Fearless One^
02/13/2022
Clichés of an Unhealthy Faith — the Sequel
02/06/2022
Cliches of an Unhealthy Faith
01/30/2022
Hospice Patient Chooses Both Her Life and Her Death
01/23/2022
Searching for the Sound of Silence*
01/16/2022
WISHING FOR THE GOOD OL’ DAYS
01/09/2022
Chappy Don’t Dance^
01/02/2022
Revisited — How’d that turn out?

2021 Columns

12/26/2021
Faith should come with a warning label*
12/19/2021
Season of Joy or Season of Woe
12/12/2021
The Gift That Keeps on Giving*
12/05/2021
Tooting My Own Christmas Horn
11/28/2021
Happy Chappy Preaches Denial
11/21/2021
A Cry for Help Saves Pastor’s Life
11/14/2021
Lord, Help Me Want-to-Want
11/07/2021
What Are Our Veterans Thinking?*
10/31/2021
Avoiding the Ruts of Spiritual Habits*
10/24/2021
COME FLY WITH ME*
10/17/2021
Names Matter
10/10/2021
Twenty Going on Twenty-Five
10/03/2021
Doubters and Dodgers Push for Vaccine Exemptions
09/26/2021
A Chaplain Manages the Risk*^
09/19/2021
Chaplains Bring More than a Bible to Victims of Hellish Fire
09/12/2021
Chaplain’s Annual Book Review Considers Children’s Authors
09/05/2021
Supersizing Your Order with Gratitude
08/29/2021
Written in Stone*
08/22/2021
Sparking Celestial Conversations*
08/15/2021
Becky’s Choice
08/08/2021
Feeling Helpless? Let’s Help Each Other
08/01/2021
Translating Our Faith to Be Understood*
07/25/2021
Off with Their Heads (video sermon)
07/18/2021
Pop Quiz: Testing your Religious Freedoms
07/11/2021
Freedom’s Choice
07/04/2021
The Case of the Stolen Freedoms
06/27/2021
Where’d You Lose Your Jesus?*
06/20/2021
Double the Fathers, Double the Love*
06/13/2021
Flag Day from the Perspective of the Fallen (audio)
06/06/2021
Let’s Reimagine Worship (3rd in 3 part series on church)
05/30/2021
These Were Their Names
05/23/2021
These Were their Names — expanded column
05/23/2021
Share Your Story-Truth
05/16/2021
Where Has Our Religion Gone?
05/09/2021
THANK MOM FOR HER COURAGE*
05/02/2021
Religious Bravado Denies Reality of Death
04/25/2021
Pray for Yourself *
04/18/2021
I Hope you (Can) Dance
04/11/2021
Blanketed with Hope
04/04/2021
Was the Resurrection a Prank?
03/28/2021
Just Ask the Chaplain
03/21/2021
My Daughter’s Question
03/14/2021
Changing the Tune of Racism, One Camp Song at a Time (audio)
03/07/2021
A Brother’s Choice (audio edition)
02/28/2021
The 2001 Prayer Odyssey — Why Space Exploration Deserves our Blessing
02/21/2021
Who’s Afraid of Snakes? — Not funny, Chaplain
02/14/2021
Apples, Whales, and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say
02/07/2021
Did you just quote the Bible?
01/31/2021
Hope Returns with the Victory Vax (audio edition)
01/24/2021
Too Young to Die or Too Old to Live?
01/17/2021
Onward Christian Soldiers — Maybe Not So Much
01/10/2021
Toilet Paper Accolades Wiped Clean
01/03/2021
DOES MY BROTHER COUNT?

2020 Columns

12/27/2020
Christmas Carols Sing of Our Traditions
12/20/2020
Untangling Christmas
12/13/2020
Ministerially Speaking
12/06/2020
Navigating our differences over the holiday turkey
11/29/2020
What is Advent?*
11/22/2020
A Feline Prayer Opens New Feelings*
11/15/2020
Mundane Heroism Gets the Job Done*
11/08/2020
The Black and White of Veterans Day
11/01/2020
Prepare to Lose
10/25/2020
Irrational Labels Limit Relationships*
10/18/2020
Diet of Worms for the Persecuted*
10/11/2020
God’s Will for Breakfast Choices *
10/04/2020
WHO’S YOUR BFF?
09/27/2020
My Preposterous Marriage Proposal
09/20/2020
The Blessings of COVID
09/13/2020
THE “NOW” IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE “NEXT” *
09/06/2020
Has Reading Become Epidemic?
08/30/2020
Take this Column and Post It
08/23/2020
Extravagant Giving is Guilt Free.
08/16/2020
Preaching with A Puppet Voice*
08/07/2020
Expired Tags Everywhere – What Am I to do?
07/31/2020
Quarantine Days Provide Time to Have “The Talk”*
07/26/2020
THE SINS OF OUR FATHERS
07/19/2020
Freedom of the Press — 3 of 4 July Freedom columns
07/10/2020
Freedom of AND Freedom from Religion
07/03/2020
Independence Month (1st of 4 series)
06/28/2020
Couples Reset Values with Refunds
06/19/2020
Listen to the Stories
06/14/2020
“We the People,” not “We the privileged.”
06/05/2020
Say Something Nice Today*
05/29/2020
Ten Thousand Years to Understand*
05/22/2020
Memorial Day Recalls the Ones Who Got Us Home
05/15/2020
Do You Remember Where You Were Two Months Ago?
05/08/2020
A Mother’s New Day (3)
05/01/2020
A Faulty Reading Reveals Real Fear
04/24/2020
Helping the Helpers
04/17/2020
Separate, Don’t Isolate
04/10/2020
AN EASTER FORGIVENESS LESSON FROM A WAR-ZONE (3)
04/03/2020
Focus on Thriving, not Just Surviving
03/27/2020
Becky is home on A Wing and a Prayer
03/20/2020
WHO ARE YOU TODAY?
03/13/2020
Who Made You Stop Going to Church?
03/06/2020
Monster or Minister — Which will you be?
02/28/2020
“O Chaplain, My Chaplain.”
02/21/2020
It’s Hell to Be Poor
02/14/2020
That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles
02/07/2020
To Hell with My Friends*
01/31/2020
A Universal Language Spoken by the Eyes*
01/24/2020
Say Little – Do Much
01/17/2020
You Never Even Call Me By My Name *
01/10/2020
Stop the hatin’; it ain’t helpin’! *
01/03/2020
God Loves Us Even When We Fumble the Ball

2019 Columns

12/27/2019
Holiday Newsletters Bring Surprises
12/20/2019
Feeling the Feeling of Christmas
12/13/2019
A Misspelling Redefines Spiritual Care
12/07/2019
Pearl Harbor Veteran Remembers Where WW2 Began
11/29/2019
Escaped Pig (Audio Only)
11/29/2019
MY GRATITUDE COLUMN
11/26/2019
The Disappearing Hat Trick
11/23/2019
Am I my Brother-Man’s Keeper?
11/15/2019
Trouble with Incantations
11/08/2019
THE REASONS WE GO
11/01/2019
POWERLESS TO A POINT
10/25/2019
Planning to Live
10/18/2019
Listen to my first column recording – Doubt Rekindles the Fire of Faith
10/11/2019
I Choose Life
10/06/2019
MY BIRTHDAY PRAYER
09/29/2019
Finding Authenticity in a Fake City
09/22/2019
Knowing How You Will Die May help You Live
09/08/2019
No Special Privilege Before God
09/01/2019
For the Love of Books
08/24/2019
The High Calling of Hospice Work
08/18/2019
Don’t Go Away Mad, Just Go Away
08/11/2019
2 questions to consider
08/04/2019
Hidden pain disguises who we are
07/29/2019
Cures Happen Even When Healing Doesn’t
07/21/2019
Military marriages rekindled in great outdoors
07/14/2019
Navigating the Paths of Certainty
07/08/2019
Like Netflix’s “Our Souls at Night,” widowers find companionship after loss
06/30/2019
Can you be scared straight to God?
06/23/2019
The Chaplain Tooteth!
06/16/2019
Are your prayers going to voicemail?
06/09/2019
Honoring the contributions of faith on D-Day
06/02/2019
Sometimes, uncertainty might be only certainty
05/26/2019
The Courage of the Four Chaplains
05/19/2019
Coloring the World with Hope
05/12/2019
A grateful soldier reflecting on his survival
05/05/2019
Chaplain Columnist Wears Two Hats
04/28/2019
Taking a pivotal spin on the altar
04/21/2019
Is Easter Real?
04/14/2019
‘Bored again’ from a fish tank
04/07/2019
Is it ever too late to talk to God?
03/31/2019
How I Became the Bomb-Dump Chaplain
03/24/2019
Coloring the world with hope
03/17/2019
A long walk of faith on a short pier
03/10/2019
Roughing it with Rotarians
03/03/2019
Setting the record straight on what a chaplain is
02/24/2019
For safety’s sake, live your life
02/17/2019
Do ask about different religions and listen in love
02/10/2019
Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink
02/03/2019
You say you’re sorry, but are you?
01/27/2019
Did I meet you this week?
01/20/2019
Time to Lose the Wait
01/13/2019
Clint Eastwood Educates the Chaplain
01/06/2019
Most misused marital mandate

2018 Columns

12/30/2018
Life needs a flight plan if you want to reach your destination
12/23/2018
Not the Best Ever Christmas
12/16/2018
Chaplain Swims Upstream to Find Church
12/09/2018
Don’t let pride or comparisons trip you up on faith journey
12/02/2018
Walking among the wounded
11/25/2018
A Smokey Holiday Prespective
11/18/2018
Trying to Convert the Converted
11/11/2018
Public Speaking is What Really Scares me
11/04/2018
God’s love too large to be stuffed into your pocket
10/28/2018
What really scares you?
10/21/2018
Who will you vote for?
10/14/2018
5 questions to ask about spirituality
10/07/2018
Wedding fee paid in full
09/30/2018
Seeking a healing touch is a risk worth taking
09/23/2018
How am I doing on my 6 F-words?
09/16/2018
Fake news hurts real people
09/09/2018
The news of my death precedes me
09/02/2018
Confessions (and recommendations) of a recovering bibliophobe
08/26/2018
Punching holes in the darkness
08/19/2018
Buying what people ain’t sellin’
08/12/2018
Changing your story through helping others
08/05/2018
Elders encourage chaplain to pray for wisdom
07/29/2018
Burkes: Let’s Take a Trip Together
07/22/2018
The game of the woulda-coulda-shoulda
07/15/2018
When faith doesn’t meet our expectations
07/08/2018
Synchronizing our heart with our actions
07/01/2018
Defending the Constitution isn’t magic
06/24/2018
Wearing your faith on your sleeve
06/17/2018
Dropping my pretense in the gym
06/10/2018
Faith and six other words to live by to succeed in life
06/03/2018
The suspicious neighbor prompts self-reflection
05/27/2018
The sacrifice of the routine
05/20/2018
What do you hold sacred?
05/13/2018
Failure to launch
05/06/2018
The percentage question
04/29/2018
Pastor, get your gun
04/22/2018
De-churched pastor finds meaning again
04/15/2018
Dinner guest becomes the meal
04/08/2018
A Baptist Goes to Beer Town
04/01/2018
Easter and the hope of the knock
03/25/2018
Betrayal worse than death
03/18/2018
That’s Just How These People Are
03/11/2018
Jesus saves, but education helps too
03/04/2018
Many Reasons to Remember Billy Graham
02/25/2018
No, everything doesn’t happen for a purpose
02/18/2018
I want to find a R-E-A-L church
02/11/2018
Can You Make a Difference?
02/04/2018
Assuming your role, but shirking the assumptions
01/28/2018
Generosity inspires chaplain to pay it forward
01/21/2018
Chaplain books it to Honduras
01/14/2018
Chaplain’s daughter sparks international change
01/07/2018
Chaplain’s wife misinterprets dying breath

2017 Columns

12/31/2017
Faith remains guiding force in retirement
12/24/2017
A Christmas meditation
12/17/2017
My Christmas Story
12/10/2017
Chaplain learns the pregnant truth
12/03/2017
A shopper’s prayer
11/26/2017
If you can see something wrong, you must say something
11/19/2017
Pastor prays to be teachable
11/12/2017
Brave actions inspire faith
11/05/2017
Praying for changes in myself
10/29/2017
What do Europeans think of America?
10/22/2017
A Walk in the Woods
10/15/2017
Vegas reminds me that I am my brother’s keeper
10/08/2017
European solutions to common annoyances
10/01/2017
Need for real love, not empty promises
09/24/2017
Living the last day of the rest of your life
09/17/2017
Does your faith call you to heroics?
09/10/2017
To Judge or Not to Judge
09/03/2017
Books to read on your journey
08/27/2017
A Job I Don’t Want
08/20/2017
A Burger, A Bag, and a Bond
08/13/2017
With God’s Hands
08/06/2017
Things are Different Here
07/30/2017
Lost In Translation
07/23/2017
Encouraging One Another
07/16/2017
Bags Sometimes Shift During Flight
07/09/2017
Everything I needed to know, I learned in vacation Bible school
07/02/2017
Fishy argument fails to hook commander
06/25/2017
How Much is Enough?
06/18/2017
Badges of Faith
06/11/2017
Dressed for Success or to Separate?
06/04/2017
A Rose by any Other Name
05/28/2017
Navigating the ‘Hero’s Highway’
05/21/2017
Doctor challenges chaplain’s belief in signs
05/14/2017
The Motherly Qualities of God
05/07/2017
Adventurous spirit — don’t leave home without it
04/30/2017
The risk of an upside-down world
04/23/2017
Resurrection or fake news?
04/16/2017
Tattoos don’t define the person
04/09/2017
Regrets, I’ve Had a Few
04/02/2017
2 life stages share much in common
03/26/2017
Seeking God’s will or willing God’s will?
03/19/2017
Perfect Days Come from Perfect Love
03/12/2017
Reaching The Dead End
03/05/2017
Sometimes There’s Just No Answer
02/26/2017
The Final Answer and the One After That
02/19/2017
A reputation is at stake
02/12/2017
Called to Be Servants Not Judges
02/05/2017
Are you a People-person or Task-oriented?
01/29/2017
Being strong where you are
01/22/2017
Working Your Way out of the Blues into the Pink
01/15/2017
A lie “in Jesus name”
01/08/2017
Striving toward thriving in 2017
01/01/2017
‘Saddest job’ is a high privilege

2016 Columns

12/25/2016
Christmas Peace Lost in Commercial Hustle
12/18/2016
Christmas cookies become the sign
12/11/2016
Two faiths, one purpose
12/04/2016
Prayers and counter-prayers
11/27/2016
Thanksgiving inspires thankful giving
11/20/2016
Working the stuffiness out of our faith
11/13/2016
An old soldier faces life regrets
11/12/2016
(Sac Bee) Overcoming challenges that military service has on vets and their marriage
11/06/2016
Do more than just thank a veteran
10/30/2016
Emotional shields are no protection
10/23/2016
“If I finish Sacramento’s California Marathon, I’ll get a tattoo.”
10/16/2016
Marriages inspired by plant, laugh and love
10/09/2016
Read the Bible, but don’t misquote it
10/03/2016
Could your deity be elected God?
09/25/2016
Feigned illness brings life lessons
09/18/2016
My year of allowing grace to work
09/11/2016
Reads that inspire resilience
09/04/2016
Addicted to love from all the wrong places
08/28/2016
Speaking healing into a life
08/21/2016
The problem with doing everything
08/14/2016
Prayer brings rock-hard resilience
08/07/2016
Putting gratitude in our faith
07/24/2016
Reader feedback leaves its mark
07/10/2016
Checkpoints allow us to reflect
07/03/2016
A lesson in fatherhood
06/19/2016
Dadgummit, let’s find a compromise
06/12/2016
Transition from surviving to thriving
06/04/2016
Obvious Question Leads to Difficult Answer
05/29/2016
The one representing the many
05/29/2016
(sac bee) Remembering fallen soldiers on hero’s highway
05/22/2016
Too fishy to be true
05/15/2016
It’s all in the family
05/08/2016
The truth about lying
05/01/2016
Veering out of my lane again
04/24/2016
Purpose lost or purpose found?
04/17/2016
Lost but now you’re found
04/10/2016
Brother’s keeper to the end
04/03/2016
The case of the taxing deacon
03/27/2016
Gidget loves her Moondoggie
03/20/2016
Robbed of a Chance
03/13/2016
What are you waiting for?
03/06/2016
An angelic baby delivers a message
02/28/2016
Two babies, two cultures show our common beginnings
02/21/2016
Earning the right to be relevant
02/14/2016
Grieving parents reject pat answers
02/07/2016
Sad job or highest honor?
01/24/2016
Chaplain struggles to answer life questions
01/17/2016
Praying for a two-for-one deal
01/09/2016
Is there an afterlife? How would you answer?
01/02/2016
Don’t hide sins to make you less human

2015 Columns

12/26/2015
Religious truths from 2015
12/18/2015
Charity is giving yourself
12/12/2015
Foundation of violence is hateful speech
12/05/2015
Finding the upsides in downsizing
11/29/2015
When the Season of Joy becomes your Season of Woe
11/22/2015
Is religion really responsible for most wars?
11/13/2015
Carson and coffee cups drive columnist to set things right
11/07/2015
Was I a lucky charm chaplain?
10/31/2015
Prayer for my enemy
10/23/2015
A chaplain’s risky work
10/17/2015
Facing my fear of the dentist
10/09/2015
Resiliency more than survival
10/03/2015
Columnist shares faith flops
09/26/2015
Don’t count your days, make your days count
09/19/2015
A Mother’s Promise
09/12/2015
French Fries Fast Brings Prayers to Life
09/05/2015
Reading that Inspires Forgiveness
08/29/2015
A Hurricane of Memories from New Orleans
08/22/2015
Search for Life in the Decision to Die
08/15/2015
THE CASE OF THE CONFUSED CONTRIBUTOR
08/08/2015
The Trauma of Faith
08/02/2015
Voices from the Sky
07/27/2015
The House-less-ness Life
07/20/2015
Move Brings Peaceful Change
07/13/2015
Forceful Faith Gains No Entry
07/06/2015
Judgment Day Revenge Not up to Us
06/29/2015
Searching for a Sign
06/22/2015
My Year of Homeless Living
06/15/2015
The Tale of the Sale
06/08/2015
Mundane Heroism Gets the Job Done
06/01/2015
Where Boobies Dare to Fly
05/25/2015
PRAY FOR THOSE YOU DON’T KNOW
05/18/2015
Bee-boppin’ with iFaith*
05/10/2015
Marriages and their unforeseen complications
05/02/2015
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
04/25/2015
Power of the Blessing
04/18/2015
WHERE DID WE COME FROM?
04/11/2015
PRIVATE REHEARSAL PROMTS PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
04/04/2015
Evangelical Pick up Lines
03/28/2015
First, Pray for Yourself
03/21/2015
Reenlisting in Your Faith
03/14/2015
Unanswerable Questions shouldn’t bring Questionable Answers*
03/07/2015
Inaccurate Titles Bring False Assumptions
02/28/2015
Spiritual Heroism
02/21/2015
Turn a Deaf Ear to the Hate Whispers
02/14/2015
Matters of the Heart *
02/07/2015
Super Bowl Brings a Super-sized Question
01/31/2015
Central America Visit Brings Perspective on the Privileged Life
01/24/2015
Blessings on those who suffer, but only when it’s ‘righteous’
01/17/2015
Reading the Diary of a Wimpy Faith
01/10/2015
The Notebook – Prayers from a Hospital Chapel
01/03/2015
Let Me Die In Your Arms

2014 Columns

12/27/2014
Memorable Columns of 2014
12/20/2014
Holy Carols Bursting with Factual Holes
12/13/2014
Keep the Merry In Your Christmas
12/06/2014
In Crisis, Calm Hearts Prevail
11/29/2014
Ebola, Makes Us All One World
11/22/2014
Good Reasons To Get Out of Bed
11/15/2014
Using Prayer To Find Yourself
11/08/2014
Listening To Our Veterans’ Stories
11/01/2014
Carrying Burdens, As Well As Gratitude
10/25/2014
Vaya Con Dios, Brittany
10/18/2014
Using God’s Name For Gain
10/11/2014
Deeper Than ‘How Are You?’
10/04/2014
Fixing Building, Fixing Souls
09/27/2014
Believing In the Unbeliever
09/20/2014
Doing Good, Doing Faith
09/13/2014
Always Seeking Newer Pastures
09/06/2014
Many Women Need Our Help*
08/30/2014
My Yearly List of Suggested Reading
08/23/2014
Soldiers Must Show Heart
08/16/2014
Relating To God Is Extremely Personal
08/09/2014
Advance Directive Eases Decisions
08/09/2014
Living will answers critical questions
08/02/2014
For Whom Am I Praying?
08/02/2014
Sometimes, we are blessed in unique ways
08/02/2014
Patient gets 2-for-1 prayer special
07/20/2014
Range of emotions stir summer
07/12/2014
Daughter returns to Honduras to teach
07/06/2014
Chaplain’s emotional final orders
06/29/2014
Want to help? First, you listen
06/21/2014
Crossing the border into insanity
06/14/2014
Going home to meaningful traditions
06/07/2014
A piece of peace is stolen
05/31/2014
No special privilege before God
05/25/2014
Top 4 list of failed intros
05/17/2014
Take the pledge and say something nice
05/17/2014
Link to Krissy Flesoras’ Blog
05/16/2014
Link to Say Something Nice Sunday
05/16/2014
Take the pledge and say something nice
05/10/2014
Complicated grief offers no final answers
05/03/2014
Don’t judge by meaningless designations
04/20/2014
Where did they take Jesus?
04/13/2014
Prayer really just talking to God from your heart
04/05/2014
Though difficult, don’t let loved ones get lost
03/30/2014
Don’t be quick to judge by appearance
03/14/2014
More than others, 1 father knows best
03/09/2014
Ten thousand years to understand
03/02/2014
Make changes for yourself, not God or anyone else
02/23/2014
We do have the right to impart criticism on others
02/15/2014
A comforting presence can help
02/09/2014
Trash talk goes to the trash can
01/26/2014
God’s not out to scare us into loving him
01/16/2014
What are you praying for?
01/11/2014
God sometimes makes cameo appearances
01/05/2014
The stress of helping the stranded

2013 Columns

12/19/2013
New parents unwrap hard questions
12/14/2013
Hard living not necessarily quality living
12/08/2013
Faith should come with a warning label
11/30/2013
Angry caller sought revenge, got none
11/23/2013
Scars removed by the Great Physician
11/17/2013
Norris Burkes: Field trip leads to cultic understanding
11/10/2013
Before the parade, some facts first
11/02/2013
When it became no laughing matter
10/26/2013
Round of golf put me on mission from God
10/19/2013
Is loving Jesus all that really matters?
10/12/2013
We all learn what our boundaries are
10/05/2013
Travel junket to Jordan unveils Middle East peace
09/28/2013
With his love, God offers better odds
09/28/2013
When ‘next’ comes much too soon
09/13/2013
Hearing the universal language of tears
09/08/2013
Embracing change turns to a blessing
08/31/2013
Reading list says lots about you
08/24/2013
Grammar police issue citation
08/17/2013
God calls all of us to angelic rescue missions
08/03/2013
Hound not bound for Heaven?
07/27/2013
Trying to convert the converted
07/20/2013
It’s not hard to embrace life after 50
07/14/2013
Landing ‘on a wing and a prayer
07/06/2013
Seeking healing touch is risk worth taking
06/27/2013
God grants each preacher a passionate voice of authority
06/22/2013
Some prayers come in a different language
06/09/2013
Dad, son bond over fight lessons
05/29/2013
Make a list and share spiritual resources
05/22/2013
Only the grieving know true cost of war
05/11/2013
God tells mothers many things
05/04/2013
Are sinners more fun? Well . . .
04/27/2013
Finding Trouble with Faith
04/20/2013
Unexpected death brings lessons for living
04/13/2013
It’s OK to pray for animals
04/06/2013
Lost in Translation
03/31/2013
Who will decide if you cannot?
03/24/2013
Sometimes silence can speak volumes
03/17/2013
Don’t assume that I make assumptions
03/09/2013
Without a little risk, life can run short
03/02/2013
Trouble, forgiveness comes in threes
02/23/2013
God Calls us by Name
02/16/2013
The only change we can really make is in ourselves
02/10/2013
Often, we try to own what we cannot possess
02/02/2013
Talkative pastor finds a teachable moment
01/26/2013
The Power of Doing Just a Little Bit More
01/19/2013
Here’s a prayer to remains of day
01/12/2013
I’ve Been Everywhere, Man
01/05/2013
Sometimes, when the cure won’t work, healing is still possible

2012 Columns

12/29/2012
Looking back, these stories really stood out
12/22/2012
Tis the time of year to give of yourself
12/15/2012
Strength comes from our integrity
12/08/2012
Faith helps chaplain to finish line
12/01/2012
Spiritual leader seeks support
11/24/2012
A prayer for veterans of Black Friday
11/17/2012
Ballots have nothing to do with making a difference
11/10/2012
Sometimes, a retirement is an emotional thing
10/27/2012
Consider ‘I must’ after ‘I can’t’ doesn’t seem right
10/21/2012
When we haggle over integrity, we risk everything
10/13/2012
Running the race, despite our differences
10/06/2012
God loves to say ‘yes’ . . . within limits
09/17/2012
Offer sympathy the only way you can
09/10/2012
Look closely, the miracle often is not-so-obvious at first glance
09/03/2012
Have you read a good book lately?
08/26/2012
Faith is something we are, not something we wear
08/19/2012
Oh, what a night: God’s own sky show
08/11/2012
Ignorance can often be expensive
08/04/2012
Humble help often is just the answer
07/28/2012
Assault rifles are useless for civilians
07/21/2012
Helping the homeless can help us all
07/14/2012
Loss of a child never goes away
07/07/2012
Chaplain’s prayer is to soothe a soul with faith
06/30/2012
Affection is complicated to show
06/24/2012
Cost of convenient truth can be extreme
06/17/2012
Spiritual fitness can be linked to physical fitness
06/09/2012
Views change, God never does
06/03/2012
Scary plane ride had a purpose
05/27/2012
Breaking the news of family tragedy is never routine
05/20/2012
If you can be true to yourself, you can be happiest with who you are
05/13/2012
Sometimes, uncertainty might be only certainty
05/06/2012
Running gives purpose to bravado
04/28/2012
Learning to forgive in a war zone
04/22/2012
Trust me, God isn’t finished with me yet
04/15/2012
Keeping my faith on a fishing boat
04/08/2012
White societal privileges forgive my trespasses
04/02/2012
Vet takes his final flight
03/25/2012
Ministry on both sides of the trigger
03/18/2012
War stress difficult to measure
03/10/2012
Pastors aren’t just chaplains in private life
03/04/2012
It’s best to focus on the positives
02/26/2012
Close encounters of the faith kind
02/19/2012
Putting others’ needs first has healing effect
02/12/2012
WWJD? He probably wouldn’t be so quick to stereotype others
02/05/2012
Lifetime can last only a moment
01/29/2012
Who’s Interested in Joinging a Disorganized Religion?
01/22/2012
Bible is a guide, not a singular object of worship
01/15/2012
Foul language sets off surprising string of events
01/08/2012
Columnist resolves to write authentically in 2012
01/01/2012
Spend some time on relationships in 2012

2011 Columns

12/24/2011
God’s plan can take your breath away
12/18/2011
Sometimes, pastors don’t have a choice
12/11/2011
Diving a little deeper into personal questions
12/04/2011
Faithful reading on faith
11/27/2011
Faithfulness of God is a great non sequitur
11/20/2011
Thanksgiving perspective serves humble pie
11/13/2011
Question Brings Lopsided Faith
11/06/2011
There’s more than one way to help a vet
10/30/2011
In a funk? Accept lesson, learn from it
10/23/2011
No. 1 life lesson from pastor, columnist: Laugh
10/23/2011
You’ll fall off track if forgiveness you lack
10/16/2011
Finding peace, beauty amid God’s glory
10/09/2011
Break out of your rut and find God
10/02/2011
Approach criticism in Kojak style
09/25/2011
Make your days count to live a long, fruitful life
09/18/2011
Are all my columns true? Only the ones that aren’t
09/11/2011
Don’t let your ego throw you off track
09/04/2011
What have you done since 9/11?
08/28/2011
Marriage, not wedding, worth $20 million
08/21/2011
Strange twist of fate
08/14/2011
Prayers should come with a warning label
08/07/2011
Even in death, ‘Little preacher’ keeps family faithful
07/31/2011
Our uniqueness doesn’t fit stereotypes
07/24/2011
My calling from God came early
07/17/2011
Biblically speaking, how well-versed are you?
07/10/2011
Fighting war from home adds isolation
07/03/2011
War makes tragic deaths a sad routine
06/26/2011
Our spiritual strength originates from God
06/19/2011
Best friends really are forever
06/12/2011
Don’t be gullible, follow only God’s voice
06/05/2011
Gambling with faith makes for poor hand
05/29/2011
Find your God spot and visit it frequently
05/22/2011
Remembering 4 chaplains serving 1 God
05/15/2011
Learn to share the road on life’s highway
05/08/2011
What price for vengeance?
05/01/2011
Faith, military obligations sometime conflict
04/24/2011
At times, faith and life will collide
04/17/2011
Christians could learn from humanists
04/10/2011
Don’t stand in silence when you hear hateful speech
04/03/2011
Don’t miss life’s big picture
03/27/2011
One day, God will dry the tears from our eyes
03/20/2011
Place faith alongside works to help Japan
03/19/2011
When we hurt, God hurts, too
03/11/2011
Once found, you’ll never lose Jesus
02/28/2011
WE DON’T KNOW
02/20/2011
Many paths lead to spirituality
02/13/2011
Norris Burkes: What do you hold sacred?
02/06/2011
Subtle questions still plague race relations
01/30/2011
A good reminder to live in the moment
01/23/2011
Expressing sympathy can be a tricky task
01/16/2011
I don’t understand unimaginable tragedies
01/09/2011
Good marriage requires sweat
01/02/2011
Norris Burkes: God loves us, even when we fumble the ball

2010 Columns

12/26/2010
Contentious offerings from an irregular columnist
12/19/2010
Look for your sign this holiday season
12/12/2010
God hears our prayers — even when we tweet them
12/05/2010
Faith can be like a TV game show
11/28/2010
It’s better to give than to receive
11/21/2010
It’s time to start living in the moment
11/14/2010
Jesus has a sense of humor
11/07/2010
Sign reflects only a fraction of wars’ cost
10/31/2010
Silence often is the best sound
10/24/2010
Alarming e-mail from the wicked-wide web
10/17/2010
Sometimes a friend need say nothing
10/10/2010
Signs from God visible even in feline form
10/03/2010
Would you elect ‘Faith by Design’?
09/26/2010
Salvation found through teamwork
09/19/2010
Real men unafraid to list their limitations
09/12/2010
Books that could change your life
09/05/2010
The answer lies in who, not what, you are
08/29/2010
Make changes for you, not me
08/22/2010
Laws of nature apply to all
08/15/2010
Ministers are just regular people
08/08/2010
Many who like Christ aren’t fans of Christians
08/01/2010
Promotion comes with spelling lesson
07/25/2010
Sometimes you just have to suck it up
07/18/2010
Is Your Faith Portable?
07/10/2010
‘Who is my neighbor’ a matter of perspective
07/04/2010
Ah, Panama: Hot weather, cold tents
06/27/2010
Wife finds comfort in my lack of it
06/20/2010
Our Greed is to Blame for Oil Spill
06/13/2010
An early Father’s Day gift for my ‘foster’ dad
06/06/2010
Patience, faith shepherd the wrongly imprisoned
05/30/2010
Good or bad — God still hears us
05/23/2010
Hard hearts soften in tiny bed
05/16/2010
Judgment Day revenge not up to us
05/09/2010
Offering Prayers Can Be a Tricky Business
05/02/2010
Our faith is demonstrated through crisis management
04/25/2010
We all are equal when we’re born
04/18/2010
Unimaginable actions bring spiritual consequences
04/11/2010
Consider the Source Before you Panic
04/04/2010
The real purpose of Easter is for you to find the Lord
04/03/2010
Better to be insightful rather than incite-ful
03/28/2010
Control your own destiny with living will
03/20/2010
Stop the political hatin’ because it ain’t a helpin’
03/13/2010
Disappointing a loved one can be worse than death
03/06/2010
Qualities to seek in a place of worship
02/27/2010
Faith can’t exist apart from doubt
02/20/2010
Don’t talk behind God’s back
02/13/2010
Avoid wrong assumptions
02/06/2010
Blessings of a middle finger
01/31/2010
Bucket list trip reveals God’s
01/23/2010
Do you watch for God in your rearview mirror?
01/16/2010
1st impressions sometime merit 2nd chances
01/09/2010
Sex addiction most trying of them all
01/02/2010
A resolution that can change your life

2009 Columns

12/26/2009
Lessons learned in past year
12/19/2009
A gift that keeps on giving
12/12/2009
Our ‘hero’ is imperfect, but with direction
12/05/2009
Women grieve in silence and shame
11/28/2009
Get rid of unneeded stuffing this year
11/28/2009
Get rid of unneeded stuffing this year
11/21/2009
Instead of being cheeky, turn the other cheek
11/14/2009
The day’s coming when we all get along
11/07/2009
Sorry, Mike Rowe, but soldiers do the real dirty jobs
10/31/2009
God celebrates like us when something lost finally is found
10/24/2009
Taking a leap of faith isn’t crazy
10/17/2009
Children must find their own way to God
10/10/2009
Treat marriage vows as you would your commitment to God
10/03/2009
Love keeps no tabs on offenses, but justice does
09/26/2009
Three strikes doesn’t mean you’re out with God
09/19/2009
Embarrassed yet proud of fearless child
09/12/2009
Forsaking one to save all
09/05/2009
Do’s and don’ts of your faith is a short list
08/29/2009
God gives out phone numbers
08/15/2009
Recent columns invoke reader questions
08/08/2009
War’s toll makes me want to scream
08/01/2009
God can see beyond our religious fashion
07/25/2009
Small Calif. town mourns the loss of young brave soldier
07/18/2009
In the name of sensitivity, let us pray
07/11/2009
An angel makes a short visit
07/04/2009
Take a leap of faith and relax passe traditions
06/27/2009
Would your spirituality pass sniff test?
06/20/2009
Expectations can lead us to false assumptions
06/13/2009
Share your faith with humility
06/06/2009
Every young soldier is someone’s child
05/30/2009
God is in the details, no matter how minor
05/24/2009
Getting to the heart of the matter
05/16/2009
Harrowing landing puts prayers to test
05/09/2009
How to effectively share faith
05/02/2009
Norris Burkes: Sons, daughters, for the most part, are doing well
04/25/2009
Good intentions, regardless of results, are rewarded
04/18/2009
Finally, some tears were spilled
04/11/2009
Nothing casual about these conversations
04/04/2009
Like soldiers, chaplains are here to serve
03/28/2009
Cost of vengeance isn’t cheap
03/21/2009
The best and worst of my deployment in Iraq
03/07/2009
In a battle zone, relevance is key
02/28/2009
Enemies need prayer, care, too
02/21/2009
Soldiers pray for each other in battle
02/14/2009
A glint of hope amid war’s chaos
02/07/2009
Finding humor on deployment helps sanity
01/31/2009
Tears from battle are different
01/24/2009
Tears and near beer honor a fallen patriot
01/17/2009
Sharing of yourself a priceless gift
01/10/2009
Beginnings are difficult, especially in Iraq
01/03/2009
Trash Talk

2008 Columns

12/27/2008
I don’t when some couples seek ‘I do’
12/20/2008
Chaplain’s Iraq order brings 2nd thoughts
12/13/2008
Know what motivates you to give
12/06/2008
It’s the season to give — of yourself
11/29/2008
Faith in the news
11/22/2008
God exists even in high school
11/15/2008
Pain always prompts questions to God
11/08/2008
Military spouses also have to ‘volunteer’
11/01/2008
Tell me what you’re praying for
10/25/2008
Finding Your God Spots
10/23/2008
‘Gu-ahhd’ says find your voice and use it
10/18/2008
Admitting the plane truth to God
10/11/2008
Spirituality is serving as hands of God
10/04/2008
We can love the most unlovable people
09/27/2008
‘Love Dare’ a challenge every couple should take
09/13/2008
Don’t wallow in guilt
09/06/2008
Honoring the memory of those who have died can be painful*
08/30/2008
Have you lost your connection to others?
08/09/2008
Faith will prevail in trying times
08/02/2008
Turn deaf ear to whispers of hatred
07/28/2008
Are you Interested in Norris Burkes Speaking to your organization?
07/26/2008
FOREIGN EXCHANGE OF CULTURES
07/19/2008
Soda-free promise hard to keep
07/12/2008
The ABCs of prayer are elementary
07/05/2008
God has three ways to help us
06/29/2008
God has a message: Nobody’s perfect
06/21/2008
Political Manners Have a Place
06/14/2008
Children, like balloons, will fly away
06/07/2008
God isn’t a quitter
05/31/2008
Aloha from Hawaii
05/17/2008
A FATHER CARRIES ON
05/10/2008
Be content with who you are
05/03/2008
Sometimes God Just Says “No”
04/26/2008
Faith requires that we take risks
04/19/2008
When things are too painful, we find a detour
04/12/2008
Guilty post confessions on Web site
04/05/2008
When you see others, you may be seeing you
03/29/2008
Fame, fortune need not derail faith
03/22/2008
Spiritual journey takes a detour, but still under God’s direction
03/16/2008
Having a potty mouth could be a form of prayer
03/08/2008
Changes Ahead
03/01/2008
Cosmic Butt Kicking is All We Need
02/23/2008
Thou shalt not use God’s name for gain
02/16/2008
Sharing faith must begin with respect
02/09/2008
‘Magical’ thinking can’t alter the outcome
02/02/2008
Don’t Measure Your Worth by Money or Time
01/26/2008
Do You Hear What I Hear?
01/19/2008
Being Alone With Oneself is an Art
01/12/2008
Your Life Doesn’t Have a Waiting Room
01/05/2008
These Questions Challenge your Souls
01/05/2008
These Questions Challenge your Souls

2007 Columns

12/27/2007
Carry on ’07 Spiritual advice into New Year
12/15/2007
3 Amusing Christmas Musings
12/08/2007
God Hurts from all Broken Relationships
12/01/2007
Power of forgiveness must be used responsibly
11/24/2007
‘Lord’s Prayer’ inspires many faiths
11/17/2007
Past experiences sometimes remind us of Golden Rule
11/10/2007
Allow faith to make a difference in your life — today
11/03/2007
Real faith requires reach into uncertainty
10/27/2007
Be who you are, not who others think you should be
10/20/2007
Inspiration won’t expire if you’re life becomes a prayer
10/13/2007
Helping the Homeless Can Help Yourself
10/06/2007
Sometimes, it’s good to sweat the small stuff
09/29/2007
It was a dark and stormy night.
09/22/2007
God listens, even if prayers don’t make sense
09/15/2007
Faith works best when you’re alone
09/08/2007
It’s nuts to let lust blur our vision
09/01/2007
God pulls tortured soul from the edge
08/25/2007
Church repents for Christianity’s hypocrisy
08/18/2007
We harness true power to change
08/04/2007
We’ll never truly get over prejudice
07/21/2007
It’s OK to sit down, stand for what you believe
07/14/2007
After delivering the news of death so many times, I’m out of tears
07/07/2007
Sound of silence music to my ears
06/30/2007
‘Getting around to it’ has arrived, so what are you waiting for?
06/23/2007
Let her cry and truth, healing follow
06/16/2007
God doesn’t expect us to handle life’s burdens alone
06/09/2007
Listening begins process of healing
06/02/2007
Are you smarter than a Sunday school teacher?
05/26/2007
Two left feet suffice with God as your dance partner
05/19/2007
Sometimes, we must do things
05/12/2007
Thank our soldiers — they’ve got our backs
05/05/2007
God knows the pain of losing a child
04/28/2007
Quality listening easy to preach, very difficult to do
04/14/2007
Christianity doesn’t stop with just being born again
03/31/2007
Celebrate your life when it’s your turn to be next
03/28/2007
THE TINIEST AMONG US
03/17/2007
Our quest for life’s answers never ends
03/10/2007
Like its members, places of worship far from perfect
03/02/2007
‘Who’s your daddy?’ prompts debate about faith
02/24/2007
Father’s protective hug can only protect for so long
02/17/2007
Life abounds around us despite overwhelming odds
02/10/2007
We’ve all gone loony for love
02/03/2007
It’s hard to see what’s right in front of you
01/27/2007
Idly speaking, you can be all you can be, but only through God
01/20/2007
Turning other cheek leads to egg on your face
01/13/2007
Checkpoints of life reveal our very souls
01/06/2007
Love honors best in a man, whatever he calls himself

2006 Columns

12/30/2006
Feeling lost? Time to repent
12/16/2006
Peace lost in Christmas’ commercial hustle
12/09/2006
Falling off a bike spurs question: What does God want for me?
12/02/2006
Let peace end conflicts, no matter how large or small
11/23/2006
The Best Gift You’ll Ever Give
11/18/2006
It’s what’s between life, death that counts most
11/11/2006
There’s no honor in saying no harm done
11/04/2006
God gives good reasons to get out of bed
10/21/2006
Bad judging could lead to bad juju
10/14/2006
Our strength comes from within
10/07/2006
Litany for Forgiveness
09/30/2006
Kids don’t always fit the image we have of them
09/23/2006
Should Military Be “Jesus free”?
09/16/2006
There’s a blessing on those who suffer, but only when it’s ‘righteous’
09/09/2006
All signs point to God’s love for all of us
08/30/2006
Body Position can affect Heart Position
08/19/2006
Fear of Death Ruins Life on Earth
08/12/2006
Truth about lies: They disguise our God-given identity
07/31/2006
Worship’s when 2 hands and a paw join together
07/22/2006
There’s no future in a life lived looking backward
07/08/2006
No need to change, God loves you just the way you are
07/01/2006
God gave couple grace to face life with Down syndrome baby
06/24/2006
This God knows a thing or two about walking in fire
06/17/2006
God’s children come from many faiths
06/10/2006
Theme song for parenting: ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’
06/03/2006
Don’t let death destroy or define life
05/27/2006
Pride, fear surface as son joins military
05/13/2006
Why do we have whys? To avoid the pain others go through
05/06/2006
Don’t assume, it keeps you from seeing the potential of people
04/29/2006
Hooey happens, so be careful about what you pass along
04/22/2006
We must pay attention when people reach out to us
04/15/2006
THE SCENT OF BETRAYAL
04/08/2006
For He who was dead, is now alive!
03/31/2006
Those who force faith reduce religion
03/24/2006
It’s a sin to think you’re incapable of sinning
03/17/2006
Is poetic justice so horrible?
03/10/2006
Writer simply nudging, not judging people toward spirituality
03/03/2006
Love for child greater than life
02/24/2006
Pocket call teaches a lesson in math . . . and parenting
02/17/2006
Don’t worry, God can take care of himself
02/10/2006
Love always is worth the sometimes-hefty price tag
02/03/2006
Emergent’s not your daddy’s church
01/27/2006
Don’t split hairs, skip vanity prayers
01/20/2006
Make time for AIDS orphans
01/13/2006
Embrace big picture about differences
01/06/2006
Do the math: There’s no equal to love for a child

2005 Columns

12/30/2005
Guilt can sometimes be a great motivator
12/16/2005
The love of God is deeper than you can ever imagine
12/09/2005
It’s never a gamble when you invest your life in faith
12/02/2005
Caring transcends convictions
11/25/2005
Give thanks for stuff you already have
11/18/2005
Organ donors a rare breed
11/11/2005
Give thanks for those who guard the peace
11/04/2005
Your god, my god, but not ‘the’ god
10/29/2005
Do emotions make one a hypocrite?
10/21/2005
What legacy will you leave at the end?
10/14/2005
Without grace, it’s a small world
10/07/2005
Isolated faith won’t help a soul
09/30/2005
Healing demands honesty
09/23/2005
Love thy neighbor now more than ever
09/16/2005
National Guard on a sacred mission in New Orleans
09/09/2005
God’s voice prevails over the storm’s fury
09/02/2005
Listen to the right voices when standing on life’s ledges
08/26/2005
Get to the point when praying
08/19/2005
Life’s little risks can be trivial
08/12/2005
Outer shells often hide who — and what — we really are
08/05/2005
God’s spots span time and space
07/29/2005
Life lessons found between the lines of news stories
07/22/2005
Sharing stories lets us keep blessings gained from them
07/15/2005
Does the ‘Blame Game’ have cosmic consequences?
07/12/2005
Regretting a Moment not Heard
07/08/2005
Pain was no match for Alicia’s fathers’ hands
06/24/2005
The Tales Dead Men Tell
06/17/2005
No one is immune from life’s dark moments
06/10/2005
Taking a risk in love is priceless
06/03/2005
Life in the Present
05/27/2005
Being great requires taking on a much more humble role
05/20/2005
God’s love too large to be stuffed into your pocket
05/13/2005
Search for God can lead him to you
05/06/2005
Without commitment, you have nothing
04/29/2005
How will you act when no one knows you?
04/22/2005
Faith alone can’t protect from all ills
04/15/2005
Don’t change for anyone but yourself
04/08/2005
This time of year, some returns not so happy
04/01/2005
Goodness from God all around
03/25/2005
Regarding Terri, mind your own business
03/18/2005
Pray for those ‘not too far from here’
03/11/2005
Listen when you ask, ‘How’s it going?’
02/26/2005
When Tragedy comes to the “Just”
02/19/2005
Having Faith makes Waiting Bearable
02/12/2005
See Both Sides of Beauty
02/05/2005
Hometown visit like a slice of heaven
01/28/2005
Sometimes our faith gets lost in translation
01/21/2005
Don’t let one sad story keep you from considering adoption
01/12/2005
Garden of Angels
01/08/2005
The Big Wave

2004 Columns

12/28/2004
You Never Call me by My Name
12/23/2004
Power to Change
12/18/2004
Quirky Traditions
12/10/2004
The Glass Jar
11/27/2004
Truth Time
11/26/2004
Thanks
11/26/2004
The Gift
11/12/2004
How beautiful are the feet…
11/05/2004
democrat or republican?
10/29/2004
God on a beach…
10/22/2004
Faith and Elections…
10/15/2004
Do you see what I see?
10/12/2004
I get email…
10/08/2004
80 Minutes of Parenting…
09/24/2004
“A Three Hour Cruise…”
09/17/2004
Then the phone rang…
09/10/2004
From the midst of the whirlwind…
09/03/2004
Be careful what you pray for!
08/27/2004
Under her Spell…
08/20/2004
The hard look in the mirror…
08/13/2004
Homecoming
08/06/2004
Honesty
07/30/2004
THE BULLY
07/23/2004
Questions and Answers
07/16/2004
An Unusual Ring to the Day
07/09/2004
Tears and Tumbles
07/02/2004
Who you calling fat?
06/25/2004
Candy bars and chemo…
06/18/2004
Well-Intentioned Dragons
06/11/2004
The truth about secrets…
06/04/2004
Who, why and how?
05/28/2004
“Out of Uniform”
05/21/2004
Through the Screams
05/14/2004
Avoiding the ruts
05/07/2004
Now that Is Different!
04/30/2004
Evidence Of Things Hoped For…
04/23/2004
Dear Adriana…Love Mom!
04/16/2004
Are you connected?
04/09/2004
Doing the right thing isn’t easy…
04/02/2004
Walking the talk…
03/26/2004
What is the purpose of it all?
03/19/2004
Do you see what I see?
03/12/2004
When the words aren’t enough!
03/05/2004
The Plain Purpose Of The Plane Ride
02/27/2004
Prayers That Come with a Release Form
02/20/2004
Running on empty…
02/13/2004
Moving Beyond Left Behind
02/06/2004
The Long Wait
02/04/2004
Vote for talent, not church ties
01/30/2004
In Search of ‘Disorganized Religion’
01/23/2004
Requiem for a Telescope
01/16/2004
A Dream for All…
01/09/2004
Rose’s Ruse to Avoid the Rules
01/02/2004
Is Anyone Listening?

2003 Columns

12/26/2003
Searching for a Sign
12/19/2003
This Big Gulp is on me!
12/12/2003
Ode to dads!
12/05/2003
The Bare Essentials!
10/31/2003
Chaplain Norris responds to a reader
10/24/2003
Get in the game!
10/17/2003
No tolerance! What a mess!
10/10/2003
Who am I when no one is looking?
10/03/2003
How does one let go?
09/26/2003
A sure bet…
09/19/2003
Entering the river of life
09/12/2003
A time of reflection
09/05/2003
Thingamabobs, phobias and snakes..oh my!
08/29/2003
Is God punishing me?
08/22/2003
The Trouble with Boredom
08/15/2003
Finding the sacred in tough circumstances
08/08/2003
‘You’ve been promoted!’
08/01/2003
“Can you talk to her for us?”
07/25/2003
Better read than a car rental agreement
07/18/2003
a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
07/11/2003
A little honesty is a good thing?
07/04/2003
A toothbrush a day keeps the dentist away…
06/27/2003
Do as I say, not …
06/20/2003
Caution: Slippery slope ahead!
06/13/2003
THE PERFECT LOVE
06/06/2003
Lightning stirkes twice!
05/30/2003
Who’s in charge here?
05/23/2003
CANCER’S TWILIGHT ZONE
05/16/2003
Light in the cracks
05/09/2003
THE BAPTISM
05/02/2003
A Mother’s Promise
04/25/2003
Imperfection a gift from God
04/18/2003
Can’t use God like a charm
04/11/2003
Internal struggle when duty calls
04/04/2003
How much do you love me?
03/28/2003
Helping hands steady insecure
03/21/2003
Death Bites
03/14/2003
Distractions Cloud Purpose
03/07/2003
Demons of past hold us prisoner
02/28/2003
Take comfort in trying times
02/21/2003
Trading up has downside
02/14/2003
2 life stages share 1 goal
02/07/2003
Love endures darkest times
01/30/2003
Miracles occur in small steps
01/23/2003
Letting go gains happy returns
01/16/2003
Vengeance is a prison
01/09/2003
Silly trash talk ignites fears
01/02/2003
You Can’t Judge the ‘Undeserving’

2002 Columns

12/26/2002
It takes a child to raise a village
12/20/2002
Newborn baby symbol of season
12/12/2002
Your belief in God needs no defense
12/05/2002
Canine companion does God’s work
11/27/2002
Guilt can be gift if dealt with openly
11/22/2002
Suicide destroys more than 1 life
11/14/2002
Tough-guy role hides weakness
11/07/2002
Honor the Brave Who Didn’t Waiver
10/31/2002
Irrational labels limit relationships
10/24/2002
Pain often exists in the shadows
10/17/2002
Life must go on amid tragedy
10/10/2002
We must accept ones we first reject
10/03/2002
Do your actions support beliefs?
09/19/2002
Search and Rescue: Wal-Mart Style
09/12/2002
Laughter eases tragedy’s sting
09/06/2002
Sept 11, One Year Later
08/22/2002
Mountain Bike
08/21/2002
Field Trip 101
08/15/2002
SUV’s, Grades, and Prayer
07/26/2002
Children Share Their Faith
07/12/2002
Depression robs hope, grips soul
07/05/2002
God Unfazed by Free Choice – Elk Grove Flag controversy
06/30/2002
Tears in the Eyes
06/27/2002
A Simple Case of Mistaken Identity
06/13/2002
A Fathers Day Story
06/06/2002
Only the Lord is fit to judge
05/30/2002
Teachers shed light in the dark
05/23/2002
Hearts soften in small beds
05/16/2002
New graduates will slay giants
05/09/2002
Thank mom for her courage
05/02/2002
Nursery Rhymes
04/26/2002
Cup of Water
04/19/2002
Happy at Work
04/12/2002
Hoppers seek perfect church
03/22/2002
Food Court 2
03/15/2002
Making Momma Cry
03/08/2002
College Girl
03/01/2002
Weight Loss Program
02/22/2002
Sympathy and Big Screen TV’s
02/15/2002
Common saying burdens faithful
02/08/2002
The Cost of Love
02/01/2002
Dentist
01/25/2002
Revival
01/16/2002
Bail Bonds
01/11/2002
The Blimp
01/04/2002
Good Marriage requires Sweat

2001 Columns

12/28/2001
Christmas Wraps
12/21/2001
Christmas Tree Surprise
12/07/2001
Joggers
11/30/2001
Wiccan Wedding
11/09/2001
Bikini Bowling
11/02/2001
The Dance
10/26/2001
Houseguest 2
10/19/2001
Time to be born
10/05/2001
The Crib