The moment was July 18, 1957, at Madison Square Garden, during a Billy Graham Crusade. At a pivotal point in the program, the platform was entrusted to the vision and voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nearly 68 years ago, yet his words remain timeless—amplified then, and now echoed through the megaphone of history. His transcendent prayer continues to shine a spotlight on our current reality. Today, it resonates in the unique overlap of a Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Into that space, this prayer still rings out…
We come, O God, aware that we have not always dedicated our lives to that which is noble and just. In the face of all that is hard and righteous, we have, at times, followed the path of injustice. We stand amidst the forces of truth, yet we have chosen to lie.
We stand before the compelling call of the Lord of the Earth, as shown in the life of Jesus Christ, but too often we live in the prisons of hatred.
For all these sins, O God, we ask for Your forgiveness.
In these days of emotional turmoil, when the problems of the world are vast and chaotic, grant us clear vision, broad understanding, endurance, and an abiding faith that will protect us from the paralysis of fear.
O God, help us to work with renewed vigor for a world without war, and for a brotherhood that transcends race and color…
As
though written for today—and for tomorrow.
The legacy. The lessons.
Anchored in truth, grounded in a God of justice, mercy, grace, and hope. In
Jesus. Like Jesus.
Whatever stewardship of authority is entrusted to us, we must embrace it as
guardians, not owners.
We elevate what Jesus elevated. We strive to love as Jesus loved. Prayers like
the one from Martin Luther King Jr. echo through time—not just as inspiration,
but as a conviction that must carry us into 2025 and beyond, into the hearts
and souls of every follower of Christ.
For a brotherhood that transcends race or color. For the courage and commitment
that honors our Redeemer and Savior.
It was the spring of 2021 when I took my first online baking class with Sara Ward. My daughter, Alli, was by my side, as we watched Sara from her kitchen in England guide us through the creation of a loaf of yeast-based bread.
That sparked something in me that I will be forever grateful for. A hobby that is shareable. One that delights others while also providing profound personal enjoyment.
Over the past four years I’ve developed a list of both sourdough and yeast-based breads that I love baking. At this point, roughly eight to ten items that I feel very comfortable making.
But on Christmas morning, I unwrapped a present from Mary that was both a gift and a challenge.
King Arthur’s Big Book of Bread was published in 2024 and contains 462 pages of instruction, photographs, recipes, and guidelines. The subtitle, ‘125+ Recipes for Every Baker’, serves as a challenge to those who have become comfortable baking only what they already know.
In
so many ways, the book represents a perfect invitation to the coming year—a
year with a milestone birthday, a continued professional transition, and a
progression from soldier to sage.
Yet I can’t help but feel that 125+ new recipes perfectly capture what I need
to embrace. Ten familiar recipes don’t need to be replaced, but they shouldn’t
be confined either.
Growth tests us. It pushes us beyond our familiar successes and invites
exploration. It takes the skills we’ve cultivated and stretches them into new
frontiers—frontiers where failure is a distinct possibility. Frontiers of
unfamiliarity. Frontiers that humble, expand, disappoint, and then delight.
Trading solid ice for thin, I step out—using familiar ingredients in new ways.
Saying yes to uncertainty, and no to complacency. Yes to the possibility of
discovery, and no to old ruts.
My old favorite bakes don’t disappear; they simply live on in an ever-expanding
community of carbohydrates.
Jesus said, ‘I
am the bread of life…’
Sometimes sweet. Sometimes savory. Sometimes yeast. Sometimes sourdough.
Sometimes a 24-hour process. Sometimes just three hours. Sometimes familiar.
Sometimes new.
The Big Book of Bread.
2025.
125+ recipes.
All new.
An invitation to risk. The possibility of failure. The opportunity for delight.
Madison, Wisconsin. Another tragedy. Another unthinkable act of evil. Our heart aches. Lives taken, futures impacted, the poison of hatred unleashed. Into the chaotic mix, into the swirl of uncertainty, first responders were asked to engage. They entered danger on purpose. We hear the stories frequently. As a civilian, I often take safety and security […]
Handel’s Messiah. The masterpiece. The classic. The timeless wonder of musical art. The Mona Lisa for our ears. As is often the case, there is a story behind the story, and that is profoundly true for this brilliant piece of music. Obviously, Handel was a vital part of the creation of this work, but his […]
In a tiny, unassuming storefront in Montepulciano, Italy, a meal was served that Mary and I relished. Even now, nearly eight weeks after the event. Dinner was served in two shifts at Osteria Acquacheta. The first seating at 7:30PM, the second at 9:30PM. Fortunately, we were able to secure a spot in the earlier dinner […]
Soon after Mary and I began to plan our 2024 October adventure in Italy, we penciled in a detour to the northeast corner of the country to visit the Dolomites. This portion of the Alps is a stunningly rugged and picturesque section of the country. So, at the beginning of 2024 we reserved a hotel […]
The Walls of Lucca. During the month of October, Mary and I had the opportunity to travel to Italy. It’s something that for years we have saved for, dreamed about, and planned. Part of our journey included time in the Italian town of Lucca. Lucca is located in Tuscany, and consequently has many of the […]
In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… For […]
In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… I’m […]
In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… When […]
