Hi there 👋

Welcome to my website. My name is Peter and I live in Philadelphia, PA USA. This is where I post long-form thoughts on topics that I find interesting–most likely some combination of 1) living in cities, 2) bicycles, and 3) Christianity.

My GAP Trail Trip Oct 2023

I’ve always mostly been a commuter/utility cyclist but I also was interested in the idea of cycling being a means of exploration. One of my neighbors told me about a bike adventure she had on the GAP Trail and I was intrigued. From RideWithGPS If you haven’t heard of the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) Trail, it’s a ~150 mile bike trail that’s 95+% separated from automobiles that connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cumberland, Maryland. While that sounds daunting to folks who’ve never considered cycling anywhere close to that distance, there are many reasons why the GAP Trail is one of the most accessible trails to do a multi-day bike trip. ...

February 4, 2025 Âˇ 17 min

Mark 1

The Ministry of John the Baptist 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’” 4 In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 People from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus 9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10 And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness 40 days, enduring temptations from Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels were ministering to his needs. Preaching in Galilee and the Call of the Disciples 14 Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!” 16 As he went along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). 17 Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!” 18 They left their nets immediately and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in their boat mending nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Jesus’ Authority 21 Then they went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people there were amazed by his teaching because he taught them like one who had authority, not like the experts in the law. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 “Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him: “Silence! Come out of him!” 26 After throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed so that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him.” 28 So the news about him spread quickly throughout all the region around Galilee. Healings at Simon’s House 29 Now as soon as they left the synagogue, they entered Simon and Andrew’s house, with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, sick with a fever, so they spoke to Jesus at once about her. 31 He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them. 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered by the door. 34 So he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him. Praying and Preaching 35 Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He replied, “Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.” 39 So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Cleansing a Leper 40 Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with indignation, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” 42 The leprosy left him at once, and he was clean. 43 Immediately Jesus sent the man away with a very strong warning. 44 He told him, “See that you do not say anything to anyone, but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 But as the man went out he began to announce it publicly and spread the story widely, so that Jesus was no longer able to enter any town openly but stayed outside in remote places. Still they kept coming to him from everywhere. NET I got tired of reading a few Psalms where David keeps complaining about how he’s being persecuted by evil people, so I’m switching over to the New Testament for now. ...

September 30, 2024 Âˇ 6 min

Psalm 6

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David. Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger. Do not discipline me in your raging fury. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am frail. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking. 3 I am absolutely terrified, and you, Lord—how long will this continue? 4 Relent, Lord, rescue me! Deliver me because of your faithfulness. 5 For no one remembers you in the realm of death. In Sheol who gives you thanks? 6 I am exhausted as I groan. All night long I drench my bed in tears; my tears saturate the cushion beneath me. 7 My eyes grow dim from suffering; they grow weak because of all my enemies. 8 Turn back from me, all you who behave wickedly, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my appeal for mercy; the Lord has accepted my prayer. 10 They will be humiliated and absolutely terrified. All my enemies will turn back and be suddenly humiliated. The part of this Psalm that stands out the most to me is verses 4 to 5. It’s almost like David is telling God “you should rescue me BECAUSE otherwise I’ll be in hell where I won’t remember you anymore”. Almost shaming God into saving him. This veers towards the issue of why God would want anyone in hell if He is an all-loving God. Or another way is if God is full control and cares about His ego, wouldn’t he want everyone to be with Him so they can praise Him? ...

September 26, 2024 Âˇ 2 min

Psalm 5

For the music director, to be accompanied by wind instruments; a psalm of David. Listen to what I say, Lord! Carefully consider my complaint! 2 Pay attention to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I am praying to you! 3 Lord, in the morning you will hear me; in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer. 4 Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you. 5 Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly. 6 You destroy liars; the Lord despises violent and deceitful people. 7 But as for me, because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple as I worship you. 8 Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me. 9 For they do not speak the truth; their stomachs are like the place of destruction, their throats like an open grave, their tongues like a steep slope leading into it. 10 Condemn them, O God! May their own schemes be their downfall. Drive them away because of their many acts of insurrection, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But may all who take shelter in you be happy. May they continually shout for joy. Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice. 12 Certainly you reward the godly, Lord. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor. Like the previous Psalms, I struggle with the modern applicability to my life of these passages. When we face harm or evil being done to us, is it right for us to call the perpetrators “evil people”? ...

September 24, 2024 Âˇ 3 min

Psalm 4

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me. Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer. 2 You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) 3 Realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor; the Lord responds when I cry out to him. 4 Tremble with fear and do not sin. Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways. (Selah) 5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices and trust in the Lord. 6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?” Smile upon us, Lord! 7 You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine. 8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure. NET This Psalm is interesting because it starts out where David is still calling for help. But at the same time, he challenges his people to turn to God instead of loving what is worthless. He exhorts them to repent and trust in the Lord in order to receive His favor. Even though they are under duress, David has so much trust and faith in God to deliver them. ...

September 22, 2024 Âˇ 2 min

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, written when he fled from his son Absalom. Lord, how numerous are my enemies! Many attack me. 2 Many say about me, “God will not deliver him.” (Selah) 3 But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. 4 To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. (Selah) 5 I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. 6 I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions. 7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked. 8 The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people. (Selah) NET Ok I’m really behind. This was one of those projects I took on when I was in-between jobs. And I thought “oh I have plenty of time”. Regardless of whether I’m employed or not, it’s hard to make space for reading the Bible unless you make it a priority. ...

September 22, 2024 Âˇ 2 min

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail? 2 The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the Lord and his anointed king. 3 They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us. Let’s free ourselves from their ropes.” 4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them. 5 Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying, 6 “I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 The king says, “I will announce the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son. This very day I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property. 9 You will break them with an iron scepter; you will smash them like a potter’s jar.’” 10 So now, you kings, do what is wise; you rulers of the earth, submit to correction. 11 Serve the Lord in fear. Repent in terror. 12 Give sincere homage. Otherwise he will be angry, and you will die because of your behavior, when his anger quickly ignites. How blessed are all who take shelter in him! NET So I’m already way behind on my attempt to do one chapter of the Bible per day. I have read on through Psalm 4 but just haven’t had a chance to publish anything. I find some of these Psalms challenging because the context is that of David, King of Israel, facing some trials or under duress from conflict with surrounding peoples. My opinion is that the church has a tendency to want to make every part of the Bible somehow relatable to what we’re going through today, but I think that’s asking too much of the text. The Bible is a collection of history, poetry, law, narrative, personal letters, and more. ...

November 30, 2023 Âˇ 3 min

Friendship 2023

Friendship in 2023 is a strange thing. I feel like there’s been a lot written about friendship and loneliness in recent years. Social media, COVID, etc. have caused a lot of strain in relationships and changes to how we think about our interaction with other human beings. Recently, a friend passed away as a result of a collision with a car. At first, I felt shock and sadness. But then, I started thinking about what “right” I had to feel a sense of loss. Was she actually a “friend” or just an “acquaintance”? Does it matter? ...

November 17, 2023 Âˇ 3 min

Psalm 1

How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers. 2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. 4 Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. 5 For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. 6 Certainly the Lord guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction. NET I’ve decided to restart my scripture-reading practice by going to the Psalms. When I read the words “wicked” and “righteous”, it makes me think of how some people tend to try to lump others they have very strong moral disagreements into another bucket. The obvious example might be extreme right-wing religious fundamentalists who call homosexuals or pro-choice activists “wicked”. But it’s not just religious extremists who engage in “othering”–regardless of your point of view, many people seem to get a sense of satisfaction from grouping people who have entirely different opinions or values as “evil”, which in turn allows them to consider themselves “righteous”. ...

November 11, 2023 Âˇ 3 min

Starting a new thing

Unfortunately, I think we’ve largely lost the ability to engage over long-form content. Most substantive things in life can’t actually be boiled down to ~180 character social media posts. We have incredibly short attention spans which requires people to shock each other to grab one another’s attention. Even if no one else reads my blog, I think it will be a healthy exercise for myself to regularly write down my thoughts. This coincides with my desire to get back into reading and thinking about the Bible more regularly. I also care deeply about the form and function of cities and how we design our lives in the context of the city. ...

November 10, 2023 Âˇ 3 min