About
So you’ve come to the page to get my quick bio. Before I begin, please keep in mind these appropriate words from Don Miller:
Half the time, if not more than half, I am full of bullshit. I share what will make me look good. If I am vulnerable, I share just enough vulnerability to be perceived as vulnerable, rather than to actually humiliate myself so that others can talk more openly about their own insecurities. I also leak in my accomplishments, and I’ve become a master at it. I don’t even know I am doing it half the time, and the other half I strategically list my accomplishments so that they come off as dismissive or “in passing.”
Ok – with that out of the way…
Who are you?
My name is Derek. I’m a late-30ish husband and father of three young (but not as young as they used to be!) daughters. For the sake of this blog, I usually refer to them as Ordinary Spouse and Oldest, Middle, and Youngest Daughters (or OS, OD, MD, and YD). We make our home in the suburban sprawl popping up southwest of Chicago. We have two cats and a fish and miscellaneous monarch butterfly pets that find their way in and out of the house during the summer. I write about the women quite a bit. The pets? Not so much.
I’m trying to be a disciple of Jesus. Really trying. But I’m not always successful, and I have a hard time reconciling my suburban middle-class life with my faith. I approach life as a cultural Mennonite who is currently influenced by Anabaptist and emerging church ways of thinking. I’m curious about how post-modern thought influences faithful living. I write about all of this quite a bit, too.
I work at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. The APS is a unique X-ray source that brings in researchers from around the United States and the world. I get to hear about quite a bit of interesting science. I write about work and science, as well, but not as much as family and faith.
Why this blog?
Mostly because everyone else had a blog. In order to be cool, I needed a blog, as well. To be honest, I don’t know why I thought I would enjoy this. I’m not someone who has ever kept a journal or done any writing. But it’s now been over two years and it seems to be a practice that is good for my soul.
And what’s with the name?
My life is ordinary, at least for the most part. And so is the Christian liturgical year. I thought it was a nice overlap.
(And if you’d like to know about my banner image, you should read about “Franklin’s secret club“.)
Contact info?
Use the form below to send a private message, or leave a message on my message board.
