Category Archives: Writing
Gravity
Simone Weil wrote: “All the natural movements of the soul are controlled by laws analogous to the laws of physical gravity. Grace is the only exception. We must always expect things to happen in conformity with the laws of gravity unless there is supernatural intervention.”
Gravity is absorption, expansion, swelling, acquisition; it is emptiness seeking to [...]
On Being Judgmental
I was hit hard a few weekends ago with the conviction that I am thoroughly judgmental. It wasn’t a coincidence that I had spent the evening at the Des Moines Arts Festival: my convictions were doubtless catalyzed by the thousands of people that had surrounded me for the past three hours.
Throughout the evening, I just [...]
Microfinancing at Freedom for Youth, pt. 2
During one of our book discussions, someone in our group had an idea: Why not try microfinance on a local level? Microfinance is much less effective here than in third-world countries due to the amount of capital required to start a viable business. Because of this, there is very little microfinance activity in America. But [...]
Microfinancing at Freedom for Youth, pt. 1
Since September I’ve been in a book study group with a few other guys from Two Rivers. We started off with a pretty hard-hitting read, The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision.
The book had a lot of convicting things to say about how Western Christians practice their faith in [...]
Interdependence Day
About this time last year I wrote something I titled “Interdependence Day” in which I criticized the highly-valued (and very American) character quality of independence. I pointed out that the American dream is really just a lifelong transition from community to individualism: we move out of our parents’ house to a college campus, then to [...]
…As Yourself
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love [...]
Your Neighbor…
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love [...]
Evangelism at the Plaza
I’ve noticed that the studios lately have been experimenting with new ways to promote their movies. In both Chicago and Minneapolis, street teams have approached me to ask if they could take a picture of me holding a promotional item of some sort. I’ve worked out that they’re paid for each one of these photos, [...]
Rerun: Objections, and Kenosis
These were originally posted September 26 and 28, 2008. I combined them into one entry here. Hopefully this will be the last of the reruns.
If I doubted my faith, it wouldn’t be due to scientific evidence or philosophical reasoning. The most compelling arguments against my faith are the practical ones, the arguments based on things [...]
Rerun: Plastic Jesus
Amanda’s cell phone is four years old. It’s an old monochrome Nokia from before the days of flip phones, and it works better than any phone I have ever seen.
Despite its age, it holds a battery charge for a week, and gets reception in places you wouldn’t believe. It has been dropped a few times, [...]
