2026.06.14

TOYIN’ Hello Mother Finch. Good morning Brother Squirrel. Howdy Porcupine. Doe, Barred Owl, Chipmunk, Turkey. Just enjoying my neighbors! “Channeling My Inner Francis of Assisi” – an original TANKA by HitchHiker

2026.06.12

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 When we read a passage like this, we often think about the beauty of nature. But do you understand that we, too, are God’s creation and handiwork, and therefore our very […]

2026.06.09

“First Love“ Almost two months ago, I was sitting at a retreat center on Lake Winnipesaukee (NH) reading, for the fifth or sixth time, Henri Nouwen’s In the Name of Jesus. It reminded yet again of these irreplaceable words from scripture: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 These words took me […]

2026.06.05

Summer reading season is upon us. This last year has been crazy busy, and my own reading schedule has been knocked on its butt. But I just finished a book, and begin another today. If you go to the What is the HitchHiker Reading? page on my bLOG, there are plenty of recommendations. The latest […]

2026.04.24

I wrote this prayer in late January and use it regularly in worship and personally. I offer it to you. LORD, Shalom is such a profound word. It embraces concepts of completeness, soundness, welfare, safety, tranquillity, friendship, peace, and harmony. Shalom hovers across the Scriptures like your Holy Spirit, and describes right relationships with You, […]

2026.04.21

Say it! Three years ago today, I sat at my dad’s bedside in Florida; he was no longer conscious and would be gone the next day. I held his hand in mine (pictured above), something that likely hadn’t happened since I was a toddler. I reflected on the past week’s events. The Saturday before, Baby […]

2026.04.05

TOYIN’ (Easter Edition) Before the sunrise These women start a journey To prepare a corpse For Him, for them, and for us Literally Life-Changing! “Literally Life-Changing!” – an original TANKA by the HitchHiker inspired by truth and reality.