PatrickMead.net

Scripture says that David played the harp to soothe Saul when he was in a difficult state. Some believe that Saul suffered from vascular headaches or back pain; something so bad as to affect his mood and decision making skills. Music has been used to move every major social movement in memory. "Amazing Grace" moved [...]

Just in case you wondered, my beloved Hyundai Sonata is in the shop. Here are some photos of the bash and repairs so far.
 
 
 
The repair shop has a website where I can log on and see the progress made each day. Nice touch. As you can see, the rear end of the car was [...]

When I was a kid we didn’t "do" Halloween. Dad didn’t believe in celebrating any holidays. He was convinced all of them — especially any that had a connection, regardless of how oblique or tenuous with Catholics — were evil. While Christmas was the worst of them (in his mind), Halloween came right behind Easter [...]

Just a couple of thoughts somewhat linked to the last post and the interest/furor it gave rise to. My favorite social commentator is Thomas Sowell. His book "The Vision of the Anointed" opened my eyes nine years ago to the harm that we often do in the name of Christian love, social justice, or charity. [...]

 
Let’s all join the Obama camp this Halloween! When kids come to your house for candy, take some of their candy to give to kids who didn’t have the drive and determination to get off their couches. Tell them that we have to "redistribute the wealth." If they protest, tell them Joe Biden says they [...]

Maybe this blog won’t apply to you right now, but it probably will one day. You might want to clip and save it. I am writing it as a public service for all parents to pass on to their kids. Here it is:
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Do you remember when you were a kid and your parent’s birthday, anniversary, [...]

A lot of church news doesn’t make the bulletin. While not as fall down funny as baptism stories, there are some strange and wonderful things that happen in the ministry. I’ve baptized a 300 pound woman in a horse trough (with a lot of help from friends helping me lift her from her wheelchair into [...]

I don’t have that many more baptism stories. I have tons of funny stories about church people, church services, and church ministries. In fact, my life is defined by churches I’ve served, churches I’ve visited, and churches that have delivered life changing people into my life.
A lot of the new Christian literature that crosses my [...]

I may have written about Antonio before. I have certainly told the story many times and people request it frequently when I’m on the road so.. forgive me if you’ve heard it before.
First thing — I need to ask you to cut me some slack. A lot of slack. You see, I used to be [...]

You might have read about it somewhere but, in case you haven’t, Scotland gets cold. Not Arctic cold or Upper Peninsula Michigan cold, but cold. Winter snows in the Central Region (where 2/3 of the population live) aren’t usually of the knee deep variety and, in fact, rarely add up to more than an inch [...]