Columnists

The four-way test

On February 9, 1961, a few businesspeople met at the Pheasant Café on Front Street. These were fruitful and grateful business leaders who wanted to give something back to the community. Together they founded the Rotary Club of Waseca, Minnesota. I am a member of this movement which began 65 years...

A New Year's prayer

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING For our meeting tomorrow, I’m going to make one of those diagrams that use the intersecting circles. Venn? Tomorrow. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. When...

Holiday season brings abundance of celebration

For many Christians, this time of year is celebrated with an abundance of holidays. We begin with Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. This birthday is unlike any other. When people gather for a loved one’s birthday, we do not celebrate the birth itself. Instead, people come together...

Never judge a day by its weather

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING I didn’t expect to see you here at Medicine Square Garden. I fell. How did you come to fall? I didn’t come to fall. I came to skate. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive,...

Christmases past

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFER’S CLUB METING Do you believe in the hereafter? I do, but is that a proper question to ask a pharmacist? It is. I’m hereafter my prescription. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts...

Hope, Peace and Joy

Hope, Peace, and Joy be to you through faith in the incarnate Word: Emmanuel, In many churches throughout the world people will gather late in the evening before Christmas Day and hear these ancient words: When all was still and it was midnight, Your almighty Word, O Lord, descended...

Best-laid plans of mice, men and winter days

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING We had an Amish turkey for Thanksgiving. What’s an Amish turkey? It’s a turkey that’s never driven a car. DRIVING BY BRUCE’S DRIVE I have a wonderful neighbor named Bruce. Whenever I pass his drive, thoughts occur to me. I’d listened to...

When everything looks out of place

Every December, the little town of Oak Grove goes all out for Christmas. They decorate the town square, and all the businesses try and outdo one another on their Christmas spirit. And for the past 60+ years, Oak Grove Community Church reenacts the Christmas story, complete with shepherds, angels...

Don't follow in the footsteps of a Roomba

ECHOES FROM THE LOAFERS’ CLUB MEETING We’re having a family Christmas party early and then my wife and I are headed to Texas. Why do you go to Texas each winter? Is it just because it’s warmer? Of course not. I come from good stock, and I can take the cold. I go to Texas each winter...

Christians influence best when humble

Dr. John Weborg is a retired professor of mine. He was long the most respected teacher at my Chicago seminary. Dr. Weborg suffered from polio as a youth and consequently walked with a severe limp for the rest of his life. Working on the family farm, he was slower than others but he carried...