Jay Payleitner Blog

Don't try to figure out a pattern to my blogging. There isn't one. 

Am I making too much of this?

March 23, 2023

Most mornings I sit down with my iPad and peruse the Chicago Tribune. Today, March 22, 2023, two stories on the same page in the “Arts & Living” section made me a little sad. […]

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With whom are you yoked?

March 14, 2023

After writing more than a dozen books on family relationships, I confess I was a little out of my comfort zone when I signed this book contract. It turned out to be a […]

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When Jackson Met Papa

March 13, 2023

This is Finn, our almost 3-year-old grandson. This week he was in our “upstairs playroom” and I was reminded of a similar afternoon three years earlier. Finn’s older brother, Jackson, was in […]

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An Example of Excellence

February 22, 2023

Many of you know I wrestled back in high school. For the St. Charles Fighting Saints. At 152-pounds, I managed a winning record, but nothing spectacular. Here in 2023, that same team just sent […]

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132 Pound JV Champion (woo-hoo!)

September 28, 2022

My junior year of high school, I was captain of the junior varsity (JV) wrestling team. Believe me, that is not impressive. By junior year, the goal is to crack […]

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Your hands in worship: try this

September 20, 2022

Twice I’ve had the chance to see Christian comedian Tim Hawkins on stage. He has a spectacular bit about “hand-raising in church.” As only he can, Tim describes the many styles of worship including […]

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Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Mick + The Mechanics

September 9, 2022

For Dads and anyone who knows a Dad: Tuesday after her city council meeting, Rita and I were in a pizza joint and the background music caught my attention. It […]

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Would You Have Stayed?

August 28, 2022

Imagine Simon of Cyrene. In Jerusalem for Passover, his mind is back home. He has been gone for weeks, and surely his boys Alex and Rufus are up to their […]

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The Father/Son Staredown

July 17, 2022

To Fathers of Boys: When you look at him, you see yourself. But in raw form. When he looks at you – if he’s around kindergarten age – he sees […]

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XXXO

July 15, 2022

Dear Husbands (and Wives too): One of my business cards is tucked into a corner of the mirror above Rita’s dresser in our bedroom. The printed side is facing the […]

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