Trying to FollowTrying to FollowI once read the words of a man who said, Follow me, and I've been on that journey ever since. Articles
So, What Do You Do?
2009-07-06 11:10:00 It’s a question we get asked frequently when we meet new people, I’ve probably been asked it several times in my life and didn’t think much about it, but since becoming the primary at-home* care taker the question, and my answers, seem to have a bigger impact on me then before. It took me a while, but I usually have the confidence to answer with “I take care of my kids”, without immediately following or preceding it with “I’m a freelance writer and web-designer” or some other long winded attempt to prove my productivity or contributions to society. I don’t think this is unique to at home Dad’s, but I think guys who stay with the kids do experience unique pressures, or at least I feel pressure from certain gender roles and expectations (I might write more on this later). The reason I’m bringing this up now, I think, is that I want to state publicly that I want my primary answer to continue to be centered around my ki...
The Flawed Experiment: A Reflection on the Fourth of July
2009-07-03 11:27:00 I’ve posted this same brief post for the past few years around this time, in hopes of drumming up a bit of discussion regarding this national holiday. About five years ago I was reading the paper in a small town in Minnesota. I read an article by Congressman Mark Kennedy entitled: “The Great Experiment ” which discussed the sacrifices many soldiers had made to make this country what it is today. I did not disagree with his article, I simply felt that he’d left some other important people and groups out. I felt the need to reply in this letter to the editor that you see below. I’ve left it unedited, but I’ll include further thoughts at the end. Surprisingly, the local paper published my letter the following week: The Failing Experiment I want to first of all thank Congressman Mark Kennedy for his article concerning this country’s “Independence Day.” There is certainly room for celebration and many of the historical facts he pointed out are worth noting and ... More About: Reflection , July , Fourth of July
YouTubesday: Harvesting Organs, Alzheimer’s and Fresh Water
2009-06-30 11:10:00 Another amazingly interesting piece by GOOD:Let’s Harvest the Organs of Death Row Inmates ALZHEIMER “FORTUNATELY” Introducing the world’s most authentic drinking water. More About: Water , Fresh
Children are NOT Eco-friendly
2009-06-29 11:44:00 I don’t consider environmental concerns to be one of my ’soapboxes’, but it is something I think is important and tend to watch out for. I recycle, conserve water, buy CFL bulbs and more, both in an effort to conserve my own dollars and the environment. One thing I’ve realized recently that I’ve had to accept is that my children are not very eco-friendly. I don’t mean in the sense that they take up space, breath air, eat things, defecate and are much like a parasite feeding off this planet (aren’t we all). No, I’m perfectly okay with that, it’s the other things that bug me. Things like flushing the toilet three times after going (or not going) on the potty. Using half the roll of toilet paper to wipe with each time, or discovering kleenex and tp can wipe your nose and then using multiple pieces at every sniffle. They drop perfectly good food on the floor, slightly soil the occasional disposable diaper forcing me to use more, and... More About: Children , Friendly
YouTubesday: Save The Earth, Red Cross and Dance Party
2009-06-24 04:43:00 Great video by GOOD about companies exploiting the “Green” craze. Very cool Red Cross video Dance Party , maybe this is staged, maybe not. But I would love to encourage people to move (figuratively and literally) in the same way. More About: Earth , Red Cross
Rough Draft: Who’s That Big Yellow Bird?
2009-06-17 21:53:00 I’m working on an article for Geez Magazine, and you loyal readers get a sneak peek. It’s pretty rough. I just wrote it up last night (and stoled a couple paragraphs from a previous blog post), but wanted to get some feedback on it. So, without further ado: Who’s That Big Yellow Bird ? Each week I walk my two toddlers down the hall at the Children’s hospital, past the large statue of an over stuffed yellow bird and up an elevator to our appointment. Sometime’s they’ll point out the “big birdie”, other times they won’t, it’s no more attractive or unique then the moose in the painting ten feet away or the cars in the window of the skyway. What I haven’t told them, and what they don’t know, is that that large stuffed yellow bird is one of the many adorable characters from a television show that I myself have fond memories of; of Big Bird and the whole rest of the gang. And though I’m sure someone will soon po... More About: Draft
I?ve Still Been Writing
2008-06-09 11:52:00 I took a hiatus from the blog last month, featuring old writings from my college years. It seems to have worked well and so I plan on continuing occasionally. I also stopped posting on Saturday and Sunday, allowing for a nice weekend break (though I tend to write those post during the week anyways) and ... More About: Writing , Blog
Book Review: Hokey Pokey, by Matthew Turner
2008-06-06 12:22:00 (I’m putting the P.S.’s at the beginning because they’re important) P.S. Final thought. I’m thinking about doing some contest to give away some of the nearly new books I have. Would you be interested in something like that? P.P.S It’s my brother’s birthday. He’s the coolest freaking kid I’ve ever met. Here’s proof. Now wish him happy birthday ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book , Turner , Matthew
Schools Out For The Summer
2008-06-05 11:57:00 Tomorrow is the last day of school in Minneapolis. This is an important date this year because it means all the neighborhood kids will be out of school and hanging out during the day. I’ve gotten to know a handful of kids and a lot of the neighbors since we moved and the weather has ... More About: Summer , Schools
Six Sentences: Acceptance and Murder
2008-06-04 12:17:00 I found the idea of writing a six sentence story so enjoyable last time (by the way, it was published at the official six sentence site here), that I’ve tried my hand at a few more. I’ll post them on Wednesday’s till I run out. I’m not sure that I like this one as is, ... More About: Murder , Story , Acceptance , Sentences
YouTubesday: CarrotMob and Lot?s of Street Art
2008-06-03 11:36:00 A creative way to use your purchasing power when you have clear values (A side thought: The mob spent over $9000, the business promised $1800 toward being more energy efficient, and then to celebrate the mob had a free concert (which cost $1500 for the band and $4000 for the park permit), so does that make ... More About: Street , Street Art
Jesus Made No Stipulations, Barbara Ehrenreich
2008-06-02 11:04:00 I was browsing the Freakonomics blog the other day and ran across this great quote by Ehrenreich, when asked this question: You are walking down the street in New York City with $10 of disposable income in your pocket. You come to a corner with a hot dog vendor on one side and a beggar on ... More About: Jesus , Blog , Barbara , Made
Book Review: Reconciliation Blues, by Edward Gilbreath
2008-05-30 11:53:00 Now, I don’t know him personally, but I’d guess Edward Gilbreath is an all around nice guy. Some how he managed to write a book, Reconciliation Blues : A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity, about race, racism and the church, and, from what I can tell probably didn’t really upset anyone. Gilbreath some how manages ... More About: Church , Book Review , Review , Book
My First Job Interviews in Nashville Story
2008-05-29 11:47:00 This is a brief journal entry from my first Job interview in Nashville (I didn’t get that job)… 7/10/05 So, I was sort of ready for the day, except I went to bed a little late. Then about 5am I woke up with a bad stomach ache, not something that usually happens to me. It went away ... More About: Interviews , Story , Blog
The Christian Life, part VII
2008-05-28 11:34:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part VI (part V, part IV, part III, part II and part I) Try and imagine that nothing you have ever taken for granted in your belief system is true. What am I trying to say? We look at scripture through a lens, ... More About: Christian , Life , Part
YouTubesday: The Internet, Hard Being Me and Water Of Life
2008-05-27 11:57:00 Awesome video about how the internet works It’s Hard being me. I can relate Water Comedy, funny More About: Internet , Life , The Internet
Maybe the beginnings of another Story?
2008-05-26 11:40:00 Another little piece of scraps of writing from way back when. Who knows, maybe this will turn into a story… Honest stands on the street corner. To the left across the street a beaten down building with a tacky neon sign, “House of Thrills Adult Bookstore.” To the right the base line of a rock ... More About: Story
Book Review: Letters to a Young Teacher, by Jonathan Kozol
2008-05-23 11:14:00 I just finished reading the book, Letters to a Young Teacher, by Jonathan Kozol. I’ve read a couple of Kozol’s other books, but this one came a from a slightly different perspective. If you haven’t ever read anything Kozol has written, you need to pick up a book today (Savage Inequalities). He writes about the ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book
The Christian Life, part VI
2008-05-22 12:08:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part V (part IV, part III, part II and part I) Millions die everyday the statistics are appalling. What are you going to do about it? You can sponsor a child or give something at thanksgiving. You can give out of ... More About: Christian , Life , Part
The Christian Life, part V
2008-05-21 11:06:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part IV (part III, part II and part I) Back to giving. ?The poor will always be among us.? It?s scripture and many use it as a reason to cop out of giving. But the rich have always been among ... More About: Christian , Life , Part
YouTubesday: Good Magazine, Earthday, Vampire Energy
2008-05-20 11:51:00 GOOD Mags always awesome videos N*Danger Vampire Energy Earth Day , GOOD Magazine , Vampire Energy More About: Good
Praying for Our Enemies
2008-05-19 11:49:00 (Context: This was written in the spring of 2003 while I was a sophomore at Wheaton College. It was written for the Wheaton College newspaper, but they never published it) Pray for your Enemies With all of the talk around campus about the war with Iraq it is important to be reminded of a biblical passage or ...
Book Review: Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott
2008-05-16 11:39:00 I should have read Traveling Mercies a while ago, it’s been on my reading list, I just never got around to it. Anyways, my wife has been a reading machine, and I had recently recommended Lamott, which she devoured in less then a week. She enjoyed it so I figured I should read it next. Lamott ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book , Anne , Memoir
The Christian Life, part IV
2008-05-15 12:04:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part III (part II and part I) It is likely that our churches have already given us opportunity to ?love our neighbor as our self? through a number of service activities for the area. Maybe you?ve helped out at the soup kitchen, donated ... More About: Christian , Life , Part
The Christian Life, part III
2008-05-14 12:02:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part II (and part I) It?s one of the biggest atrocities of the church that we do not give even close to the ten percent that we as believers should be giving?At LEAST. I would submit that most Christian s in America could give ... More About: Life , Part
YouTubesday: Radiohead, Sweatshops, Greenpeace and Immigrants
2008-05-13 12:29:00 This week I’ve got a video you need to go and watch that isn’t embeddable, it’s a music video to Radiohead ’s All I Need. Go Now. (ht. Keane) Here is a user created video to the same song with a different topic Immigrants (ht. Jamie) What did you think of that one? All I Need, greenpeace, immigrants, Radiohead, sweatshops More About: Greenpeace
Contextualizing Trophy Girls
2008-05-12 12:04:00 This is another one from the archives, I wrote it five years ago at Wheaton College, after the Class Films… I’m taking a contextualization class at Wheaton College, in it we learn about other cultures and how to contextualize the gospel. It’s a great class and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve learned. Basically it’s ... More About: Girls , Trophy
Book Review: The Church Ladies
2008-05-09 12:35:00 This will be a brief review. I read a novel, The Church Ladies, by Lisa Samson. I wanted to read a known fiction Christian author and Lisa was the only one I could think of (besides Peretti and the left behind books). Anyways this was the shortest one available at the library and so I ... More About: Book Review , Review , Book , The Church
The Christian Life, part II
2008-05-08 11:59:00 (note: Originally written my sophmore year of college in January 2003) Continued from part I Initial thoughts of the Christian community in America would say that we are indeed bearing much fruit. Many gain lovely relationships with Christ through the small groups and Bible studies and the sermons of the American Church. And our giving and outreach to the community is certainly there. Let me change our way of thinking for a moment. I submit that the standard to which we hold our Christianity is nothing but the relative standard of what our non-Christian American neighbors are doing. But our standard should be Christ and His word, nothing less. When the cop pulls you over for speeding it does not matter whether every other car on the road was speeding twice as much as you were, if you were speeding you were speeding. It does not matter how “good” you are compared to your atheist neighbor, God’s standard is not your righteousness in relation to other sinners. And this i... More About: Life , Part
The Christian Life, part I
More articles from this author:2008-05-07 11:52:00 (Note: This series was written five years ago when I was a Sophomore in college, January 2003. It does not necessarily represent where I am at today, but that’s not to say it’s maybe more where I would like to be.) Imagine for a moment that you discovered the text of scripture apart from the society in which you live. To imagine this is impossible almost because your culture and society has shaped the way you see scripture and interpret it and react to it. My premise is this Christian ity in America is not Christianity. Those are strong words and I would hesitate to hold fully to it amongst a group of biblical scholars who would argue the theological and doctrinal nuances of the scripture and what “America”* believes. I am not saying that Christians in America are not “saved” in that their “belief” and faith in Christ our genuine and true. My main point is that Christians in America live lives that are so sparse of the fruit of the Spirit that we should b... More About: Life , Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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