from the legal pad

one of my bucket list locations is kodiak island in alaska.  since we were young boys playing in the creek outside of our house hunting snakes with sticks, catching fish with spit, and building forts in sideways trees. kodiak and the surrounding islands is where the last, real america is. my younger, larger, stronger brother was there for a summer with the united states coast guard.  but i'm the one writing this, so obviously i'm more clever. it's not an easy place to get to. and i don't mean that because we live on the east coast.  once you get to the pacific northwest, it is still an adventure just to get to kodiak. an airline, a small plane, and a ferry ride. i'm there.  2.63 of my 10 day vacation spent on travel there and back. the first few hours at the port, and brother has told me everything there is to know about kodiak.  and the things i don't want to know. good news:  brother has to work in the afternoon of the next day, and i can b

Eric Mertens Celebration of Life 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” I have never read that verse at a funeral.   And in most instances, I would say that it is boarder line inappropriate.   Why would you tell people who are mourning to be “joyful always?” Here’s why I think that it’s okay to break the rule of thumb.   I believe that Eric Mertens, like all people was created in the image of God.   This is what the Bible tells us in the very beginning.   Among other things, I find our God to be rather clever and sometimes, down right ironic.   Like many who truly suffer, I experienced Eric to be a joyful person.   He was as playful as a toddler, and at times, as awkward as a puppy.   This, I believe is a reflection of God.   Our God suffered on the cross, yet remained without hate.   Eric who indeed endured, reflects the joy of the