To depress myself evermore, I skimmed this, being vaguely curious about the word ‘rage’ which seems increasingly to be a favorite of our time. It turned out to be not that interesting and devolved into the usual preachy list that inserts itself into almost everything that the internet has to offer these days. So apparently rage is ok now, and mothers should get in on it, not wanting to miss out, I guess, and because everything in the west is... Read more
Looks like things are hotting up at Azusa Pacific University. The school changed its policy on LGBT relationships a few months ago and then shortly thereafter, apparently after pushback from conservative donors, reversed its decision. Disappointed and angry, faculty and students gathered to protest, and the LA Times reported this, “This isn’t something sinful, God,” one student said, leading the emotional gathering. “This is something beautiful. I pray that we continue to live out the mission of being difference-makers, God,... Read more
Yesterday, in one of those homeschooling fits that arise from gazing at one’s dubiously educated offspring, wondering if they know anything or care at all, and then flailing, I made my children watch the Banksy video of the shredding of Girl With Balloon. They watched without interest or emotion. I paused several times to explain, trying to rouse their moral and aesthetic sense, and then played the thing again from the beginning. “It’s not that great of a drawing,” said... Read more
A happy Columbus Day to you all. We hopefully have recovered from our failure to podcast last week with a nice long discussion about getting older, the Kavanaugh mess, why being human is better than trying to live out a role, and some other rambling commentary about the nature of all things. I hope it is everything you long for. And now, let me see about links. I loved this. And this. And this was sort of interesting. And this... Read more
The Methodist Church near the Old Good Shepherd (Now Islamic Awareness Center) recently closed. I passed by and marked its death, yesterday, on my way from the shops on the Southside, through the once fine but now shabby neighborhood along that stretch of road, all the way to the New Good Shepherd. Another hundred year old church comes to a quiet, unremarkable end. It had been a work of first importance, so long ago. The Southside was settled even before... Read more
Well, Friday, there you are. One Caught up for the last half hour watching a riveting France 24 news story about the incredible work of Denis Mukwege, who was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Nadia Murad. What a fascinating person. France 24 interviewed him in depth, following him all the way into his surgery, around his now abandoned home where he survived an assassination attempt, and into church. They spent time at the hospital crèche where the... Read more
Turning enthusiastically away from politics this morning, I wonder, am I losing my mind? How is it that I hadn’t, heretofore, noticed the counter-fury of my nemesis, that timorous minimalism? What is that? you ask, not having paid special attention to the fashion trend of the moment. That would be maximalism. Have I remarked upon it here? I have the hovering trace of a memory that evaporates wistfully in a cloud of links as I wander from one site to... Read more
[Jesus surprised at America’s attempt to grow a soul.] A mean person sent me this on purpose to irritate me and ruin my comfortable scroll through what I should be wearing this fall (white blouses, patterned trousers, ankle boots, in case you were wondering). It’s a picture of a piece of paper and you have to click on it and try to read it as best you can. At the top it says “The Way,” and then under that “A... Read more
Goodness, is it already Tuesday? Sorry about the podcasting failure yesterday. We recorded one over the weekend but then Matt did not put it online. He thought he could just leave town and would be able, on the literal phone, to tell me how to put it up, which is just absurd. One, because the dog kept me awake all night. Which meant that Two, I slept in so that I wouldn’t die during the day. Which meant that Three,... Read more
7The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. 8 The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are... Read more
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Preventing Grace
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