by David Anderson
It’s hard to believe, but in the first part of the twentieth century, psychologists and doctors were suspicious of nurses who wanted to pick up newborn infants in the hospital nursery and hold them. Some doctors observed that infants who were picked up by nurses got sick, and concluded that the close contact had transmitted […]
by David Anderson 4 Comments Filed Under: Faith/Trust, Family, Intimacy, Love
In a world of celebrity values it’s nice to find an athlete with community values. Meet Missy Franklin. She’s the 17 year-old swimmer who won gold this week in the 100 meter backstroke. She’s stayed with the same coach she’s had since she was seven years old, Todd Schmitz. And she trains at the same […]
by David Anderson 6 Comments Filed Under: Character, Family
After the mass killing in Aurora last week, I got on my high horse. I was sure we needed tougher gun laws. When people threw up their hands and said, “Who in the world needs assault rifles!” I agreed. When people expressed outrage that someone could buy 6,000 rounds of ammo online, I said, “Duh!” […]
by David Anderson 3 Comments Filed Under: Community, Faith in Action, Family, Healing
This is the weekend to remember our fathers. Fathers struggle. We know this. Mothers hold onto their children, sometimes too closely, sometimes for too long, but once that wet, naked child is placed in their arms they know instinctively what to do. Fathers don’t. We have to learn this stuff. We’re not so comfortable holding […]
by David Anderson 3 Comments Filed Under: Faith/Trust, Faithfulness, Family, Letting Go
There is an old Jewish story about the young pupil who asks the respected rabbi a question about that well-known passage in Deuteronomy 6:6. “And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart.” “Why is it this way?” the pupil asks. “Why are we told to put these words upon […]
by David Anderson 10 Comments Filed Under: Adult Spirituality, Faith/Trust, Family, Letting Go, Love
On Saturday I preached the funeral of a great man. Doug McArthur was the Treasurer of Trinity Church in Solebury, Pennsylvania, where I was privileged to minister for eleven years. As I reflected on why Doug had been such a powerful influence in my life, I realized that he was a grand father. He […]
by David Anderson 4 Comments Filed Under: Faith/Trust, Faithfulness, Family, Fear, Grace, Love
If like me you loved to read Shel Silverstein to your kids (or you’re lucky enough to be doing it now), you remember “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “The Giving Tree.” Here’s another Silverstein poem I found, one I didn’t know. It’s a riff on the Pied Piper myth. It’s a poem about staying home—for […]
by David Anderson 2 Comments Filed Under: Community, Family, Fear, Freedom
This is me and my father. It looks like he is sitting in my lap, but actually he is sitting on a chair, and I am kneeling beside him. We were all of us there, my six brothers and sisters, for his 93rd birthday. We ordered pizza (it’s the birthday dinner he chooses every […]
by David Anderson 8 Comments Filed Under: Faithfulness, Family, Grace, Love