Ken Frantz

Uniontown

Columnist at South Platte Sentinel

Columnist at Sterling Journal-Advocate

Physical Therapist. Go Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Penn State.

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Articles

Finding sacred space

2 weeks ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

Sacred ground is often identified and named by its location and surrounding geographic features: mountains, canyons, rivers and escarpments, buttes, or other awe-inspiring natural elements. Their sacredness transcends many generations, and their slowly changing features endorse a legitimacy that comes with time. Sacred ground also arises at the hands of humankind, the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem or the grounds of the Vatican in Rome, for example.
Living in privileged times

1 month ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

Waiting can be hard, especially when patience is in short supply. In mere half a day today, I waited on a ride, hoped for fog to lift, tolerated slower-than-average cars in front of me, endured lines at the pharmacy, donut shop and coffee drive-thrus, took my place in line at the bank, was placed on telephone hold, waited hours longer on grass that was too wet to mow after a rain that was way too long in coming. Oh, did I mention the lumbering train as well?
Relevancy in the moment

1 month ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

Recent discussions with a friend unveiled new insights regarding myself despite little clear intent to seek them out. How did that happen so easily? It was not the nature of the conversation to begin with but rather a reflection of good listening skills and thoughtful considerations on behalf of the friend. We both concluded that it would be a fascinating exercise to take time to note moments of relevancy that shaped who we have become. And so, it began.
The Kingbirds are back

1 month ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

After a two-year hiatus, the Kingbirds are back. Raucous, territorial, and acrobatic in flight, they herald the transition between spring and summer. Dusky grey and bright yellow plumage helps them claim the prime nesting places, almost daring the other birds to attempt an intrusion into their space. Once the birds start nesting in earnest, the dogs and cats maintain a lower profile than usual to avoid kingbird dive-bombing tactics. Humans are not immune to such attacks.
A little more compassion, please

1 month ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

What we could use more of these days is compassion. Not the run-of-the-mill kind, but the kind that is transformative of the human experience, the variety that challenges boundaries, and the one that does more than rescue cats stuck in trees or assists people crossing a busy street. It is unfiltered compassion that Christ noted […] Subscribe to continue reading this article. Originally Published: May 5, 2025 at 8:54 AM MDT
Keeping it all in balance

2 months ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

We have finally reached the long-sought-after conflagration of events having little to do with the liturgical cycle, but everything to do with professional sports. Having recently crowned collegiate championship basketball teams, we are now deep into playoffs for professional hockey and basketball. At the same moment, baseball is in full swing as we move toward […] Subscribe to continue reading this article. Originally Published: April 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM MDT
Making it to the other side of Easter

2 months ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

So, we have made it to the other side of Easter, some of us unscathed and others of us simply over it and ready to move on. That is not intended to sound dismissive but rather to glimpse the reality of combining religious and secular occasions into holiday celebrations. When is Easter observed? Simple. It is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.
Asking the right question

2 months ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

In the Gospel of Matthew is found the wonderfully posed question from Jesus to Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter responds unequivocally, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matt 16:15-16, MSG).” According to Jesus, such knowledge is divinely revealed to Peter, upon whom the church will be founded. Pretty heady stuff for a fisherman/follower of Christ. This is scripture in which many find comfort.
Re-writing the parables

2 months ago | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

Some of the most impactful short stories come to us in the form of parables. Pithy, challenging, durable, and relentless, they encourage us to consider different ways of living and loving and being in a world gone mad. Timeless and enduring, the parables of Jesus, especially in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), can be challenging and inspiring. They include stories and lessons regarding lost coins, sheep, displaced family members, charity, love, fairness, intellect, and forgiveness.
Mad as a March hare

Mar 24, 2025 | journal-advocate.com | Ken Frantz

It is dangerous at times to use idioms or phrases that come to us from the cultural sphere we inherited. It always surprises me to chance upon a word or saying that makes perfect sense in my mind but that garners a blank stare from the listener in return. Such was the case of a younger family member getting tickled over my suggestion that a certain group of young kids were wilder than March hares. Of course, everyone knows about March hares, don’t they?