This image circulated on the internet just after Hurricane Helene devastated huge swaths of the South Eastern United States. Images like these, created by readily available (and free!) tools on the internet, show how easy it is to usurp attention and ultimately erode public trust in the news. Believable lies drive people away from all…
Read moreRoad Signs
My wife and I recently drove from one sister’s house to another. The route lasted a bit over ten hours through Pennsylvania and West Virginia and into North Carolina. Along the way I was reminded of a few “dad jokes” my Dad used to tell on long drives. For your reminiscence I offer the following…
Read moreJesus for President
I admit I consider myself a political pacifist but a spiritual activist. As a citizen, I read the propositions and candidate backgrounds and cast my votes, but then I rest on the comfort that “in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.” I trust in the outcome of God’s plan…
Read moreDrives me Nuts
My Grandfather had several. As did my Dad, uncles, and just about every man I knew. As a kid I noticed a pattern that the older guy’s collections seemed more refined. Those with more idle time on their hands had sorted theirs and even labeled them for easier recall. I’m of course referring to the…
Read moreDo you know what you’re Celebrating?
Halloween is a time of fright, When ghosts and goblins come to light. It’s a day to dress up and pretend, And have some fun with family and friends. My earliest memories of Halloween were pulling bits of clothes from a musty box. There was a hat that resembled hair, a blanket, plastic Frankenstein mask…
Read more(God)Father’s Day
I wrote this twenty years ago and presented to my congregation in hopes of encouraging people to step forward and help teach Sunday School. Happy Fathers Day 2003! This is my 13th Fathers day. I was out on the patio a few weeks ago after church when I heard someone say “Hey Frank, you’re so…
Read moreTrying to teach ChatGPT to write a Joke
ChatGPT’s responses remind me so much of Data, the android character on Star Trek The Next Generation.
Here was my prompt: I am giving a sermon on love thy neighbor. I wonder if you can help me create a few jokes about how hard it would be for Jesus to love his neighbor if he lived today.
Read moreA ‘Pick-it-All’ Update
A Town Square article about people picking up neighborhood trash was published in the August 19th 2022 print edition of the Weekly. Here is a follow-up encouragement on the activity from the author. When did you start doing this? During the pandemic we starting walked a lot more since we intentionally avoided indoor spaces. When…
Read moreDon’t get ripped off!
Sharing a video from a seminar we’re giving at community centers around the Bay Area. The goal is to educate people (of all ages) to the schemes scammers are using with far too much success. Here are the “Fix it before” (it gets broken) Do’s and Don’ts. DO DO NOT NEVER Contact the author if…
Read morePick it All (Not Pickle Ball)
I’ve discovered a rewarding pastime that involves fresh air, exercise, and a sense of accomplishment in a world where problems can at times seem insurmountable. I’m not talking about pickle-ball, but what I’ve dubbed “pick-it-all!”. Since my dog’s passing, walks around my neighborhood had too often become trudges. At the peak of forced isolation, at…
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