I recently read a message I’d given in 1984 and felt a mixture of embarrassment and surprise. Embarrassed because it seems inadequate now, and surprised by how much my worldview has changed. Twenty-five years from now, I might read these messages and have a similar reaction. I offer no guarantee that my work or words will endure the eroding effects of time. I can only assure you these thoughts have been helpful to me, and perhaps a few others, today. With that qualification, I offer them to you.
~ Philip
NEW!
One of my favorite movies is A Christmas Story, the scene where the dogs from next door, the Bumpus hounds, …
Read MoreThe Missing Fruits (Curiosity)
Our granddaughter Madeline was spending the night one evening last month and she and I began talking about haircuts. She’s …
Read MoreThe Missing Fruits (Positive Anticipation)
I met Joan in the summer of 1982, when she was working as an intern at Public Service Indiana, and …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (10) (Galatians 5:22)
Joan and I had a fascinating week. We traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico to attend a conference with Baptists …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (9) (Galatians 5:22)
I was driving down US 36 the other morning on my way to breakfast with the Quaker Men, and fell …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (8) (Galatians 5:22)
When I graduated from high school and began working at Public Service Indiana, I vowed I would never miss a …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (7) (Galatians 5:22)
Joan and I were at the grocery store this week, and while she was shopping I was standing at the …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (6) (Galatians 5:22)
When the boys were in high school and still lived at home, our phone rang one evening. It was a …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (5) (Galatians 5:22)
When I was a kid, my brother Glenn told me I was adopted, that they had awakened one morning, opened …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (4) (Galatians 5:22)
I was speaking with a man last week who was curious to learn more about Quakerism and wanted to know …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (3) (Galatians 5:22)
I was talking with a man last week and he started complaining about his neighbor. He said, “I know it’s …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (1) (Galatians 5:22)
When I graduated from seminary, I was pastoring a little Quaker meeting in the city, but wanted to work my …
Read MoreFruits of the Spirit (2) (Galatians 5:22)
A few times each week, I drive over to Brownsburg to pick up our granddaughter Madeline at her other grandparents. …
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I had two experiences these past few weeks I want to tell you about. The first happened when I was …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (10)
When I was in junior high school, I thought about running for class office. Our class had four officers—president, vice-president, …
Read MoreThe above cartoon by Gary Varvel appeared in the September 23rd edition of the Indianapolis Star. I’ve taken the …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (9)
In 1979, the year I graduated from high school, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and Jimmy Carter, our president at …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (8)
When I was a kid, my father became active in politics, so my brothers and I were drafted to help …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (7)
Shortly after Joan and I began dating, some 36 years ago, a child was born down the road from her …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (6)
It’s been an exciting week in Danville. On Monday, our town board passed an ordinance that allows people to drive …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (5)
When I was seven years-old, my mother began teaching at St. Susanna School in Plainfield. Up until then she had …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (4)
When I was 18 years-old I began attending Plainfield Friends Meeting, after the young women at Danville Friends Meeting kept …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (3)
We’ve been thinking about the characteristics of responsible nations, and today I want to talk about the difference between can’t …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (2)
Joan and I were out for a drive this past week and went past the house where my family lived …
Read MoreHow Shall We Live Together (1)
Well, it’s good to be back with you. I thank you for the expressions of concern we received when you …
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