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Providing a time and a space for people in the marketplace to gather, grow, and be heard in western Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Experiment (PX) serves the people and corporations of Western Pennsylvania by starting small groups that provide a time and space where people can enjoy a bit of respite during their busy work week, find a listening ear, and develop positive relationships with others in the work force.  We currently have groups meeting across the region with bankers, lawyers, techies, business owners, and others involved.  We also engage young professionals who want to be mentored and retired people looking to give back.


Is Anyone Among You In Trouble?

February 20, 2024

We had a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful January with family. We had the sons, daughters in law and grandson with us for most of that time. We squeezed in a trip to California to visit our son and girlfriend who couldn’t get back east to join us because of his deployment. Everything went great. Until it didn’t. As per the usual, I got sick on the plane ride out west. Then my wife got it. Then a son. Then another. Then a daughter in law. You get the picture. It worked its way through all of us. As much as we tried to be careful, the last person down was our grandson, Mario.

He handled it like a champ. But he was a little cranky and out of sorts. He had to deal with his congestion and runny nose. It broke my heart to see him fuss. My sons laughed at me. They recounted how many surgeries, stitches, broken bones, and concussions they all dealt with growing up and how my favorite saying to them was, “You’re alright.”  But it’s different with your 4 month old grandson! I think the hardest part for me was that Mario could not say what was hurting him and not really knowing how to help.  I wanted to fix his problem and make him better. But there was very little I could do.

It made me think about how we can help others when they are in pain and hurting. It seems many people around us are dealing with issues that are hurting them not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Most of the time we can’t “fix” them either or solve their problems. But there are some things I did for Mario that we can do for anyone:

1. Be with them. Sometimes the best thing we can do for people who are hurting is simply to be present. To sit with them in their pain. Letting them know they are not alone. When Cyndi was expecting our first son, Andrew, we did all the natural birthing classes. When the time came, and Cyndi went into labor I went into coach mode.  It wasn’t long into the process when Cyndi requested me to stop coaching and “just be” with her.

 

2. Listen to them. Often, we want to help people by giving advice and explaining what they should do. I think for many years that was my way of trying to help. Then someone said to me, “I’m not asking for advice, I just want someone to listen.” Lesson learned.

3. Physical touch. Depending on your relationship with the person, sometimes a simple pat on the back, holding a hand or a hug means more than any words ever could and brings an awareness of someone being with you in your battle.

4. Pray for them. I understand that not everyone believes in the efficacy of prayer. But as a person who professes faith in Jesus, the first thing I do is ask God to heal them. Interestingly there are studies being done in the medical community about the power of prayer in healing. Can Prayer Heal? (webmd.com)

James 5:13 says
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray...  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.


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October 6th, 1993 Michael Jordan retired from basketball in the prime of his career. I remember this because it was the first thing I saw on TV when I woke up from a 7-hour back surgery. I thought I was hallucinating. I was a 30 year old former athlete who was just hoping to walk again. I spent the next two weeks mostly on my back. For a very active, Type-A person it was excruciating. I couldn’t DO anything.…Read More


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The peale foundation

You may notice in many of our posts that we reference Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and his writings. PX has a rich history with Dr. Peale. Paul Everett ('69-'95), PX longest serving Executive Director, was married to Dr. Peale's daughter Maggie. Maggie is still a dear friend to us, and the Peale Foundation has been a generous and long-time supporter, for which we are very grateful. You can hear many of Dr. Peale's sermons on their recently updated app here and learn more about his books and writings by clicking on their website at here.