My friend Isaac Anderson has written an impressive book review for Los Angeles Review of Books on the Rebecca Solnit’s new book. That she deals so heavily with pain is happily coincidental for me, given that I preached on pain last week on the subject of Pain. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, it’s importance for us all, and how to engage pain in healthy, transformational ways. Here’s an excerpt from Isaac’s review: Quoting Solnit” [W]e are a... Read more
There is nothing like watching sheer courage in action: “I can remember the first time I realized something was wrong. I can remember the first time I was told I have dyslexia. I can remember being in first or second grade when my teacher… sat me down and put five magnetic letters on the board, and she said, “Piper, read this to me. What do these five letters say.” And I looked at it, I kept staring at it, and... Read more
I confess that when I’m driving alone in the car I generally either 1) listen to audiobooks, 2) sit in silence and pray or just be still, 3) listen to NPR. I confess that when my kids are with me I listen to rock and roll music as loud as my stereo can take it, and I usually air guitar it as much as the road will allow. I’m trying to teach my kids a bunch of songs that will... Read more
Stephen Colbert does one of the most hilarious tv shows ever – great social commentary. I have appreciated him for a long time, but nothing he’s ever done moved me like this video. On his first show back after his mother’s death, Colbert broke character for a moment to pay her tribute. He did a quick telling of her life-story with great humor and appreciation. It’s really touching. To be as funny as Colbert it probably would take a mother... Read more
I read a great article on kids sports and parenting at Slate yesterday subtitled, “How baseball encourages bad parenting – and how you can support your kids on the diamond without driving them crazy.” I read this article thinking that this guy was in my head. Both of my kids are playing a ton of baseball right now because a slew of rain-outs has compacted the season. Dickerson is seeing the ball pretty well: “His son was pitching. Mine was... Read more
Humans have an innate desire for their lives to count for something… something greater than just producing and consuming goods and services. People are looking for meaning and purpse, a cause to engage in, and a way to make a difference. Yet when humans begin to try to find something that matters, something that lines up with their passions, something that is important, it doesn’t always work out very well. Any good person who tries to engage in the fight... Read more
I’m reading and preaching through Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World right now. This book is full of rich imagery and beautiful writing – profound and earthy. Last Sunday we considered the chapter on reverence. I had not previously considered how far out of the mainstream reverence is. Reverence isn’t hip anymore, irreverence is. Irreverence is everywhere. With a single click you can buy the irreverent guide to parenting, grand-parenting, leadership, politics, culture, theology, church, youth ministry, and... Read more
I confess that my wife and kids gave me a huge Audible.com gift certificate for Father’s Day. Best. Gift. Ever. I confess that I’m becoming a bit of an audible-phile. I have read at least 10-15 books over the past year by listening to them – including Les Miserables, A Prayer for Owen Meany, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and the Metaxas book on Bonhoeffer. Last week I read the new Rob Bell book in one day. (I have to say... Read more
Here’s to all the fathers out there getting it done day in and day out. No sappy sentimentality for you today. Just embarrassingly awkward photos of men who should have known better but clearly didn’t. Enjoy feeling better about yourself because of these unfortunate snap-shots, and remember that there will be cameras pointed in your direction today… try to keep you clothes on! Awkward Family Photos – Father’s Day Edition (Hint: read the captions). Read more
There was an interesting article on the CNN belief blog yesterday. It’s about the marketing effort Warner Bros. is making toward pastors in an effort to get them to help market their new Superman franchise entry Man of Steel, via their pulpits this Father’s Day. I would love to get my hands on the study guide by theologian, writer/filmaker Craig Detweiler. I took Craig’s theology and film class a few years back. It was the best sustained conversation about theology... Read more
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