What ever happened to Puritan names? Parents, why have you abandoned classic nomenclature of your progeny? Every little towhead these days is named something like Connor, Avery, Tyler, Smith, blah, blah, blah. In an attempt to help you all, I’m going to offer some suggestions by which we can turn this thing around. These are theologically motivated and in fact reflect a return to the theology of Puritans, which I think is dope, in general. These are full names:1) Exhaustive... Read more

…when it comes to music these days. The most common answer I hear when I query others as to their favorite music is this: “You know, whatever. I like alot of stuff.” Yes, my friends (all six of you reading this), it’s true: your musical predisposition is postmodern. You have unconsciously committed to the viability of most types of music. Though you may subscribe to some ethical standard or presuppositional worldview, you are nothing other than a chameleon when it... Read more

Lots of people are saying lots of things about this, so I won’t waste much of your time. I do want to say to all persons of rational thought that not all Christians believe that our hope rests in the affixing of granite and stone to floors of public buildings. Christians place their hope in a Rock, for sure, but this is the decidedly non-granite person of Christ. I’m all for the advocation of the Christian worldview, but my trust... Read more

Seems a solid idea, to me. With cultural observers suddenly fascinated by the discovery of evangelicals, what could more satiate the fix than a show chronicling the lives of five twentysomething Christians? The dynamics for great tv are all there: romantic frustration, major life decisions, conflicts over doctrine and personality, interaction between Christians and non-Christians. I’m not necessarily saying I support this idea, but I certainly think that it could be a smash with a culture fond of eyeing evangelicals.... Read more

The man to the right is Rafer Alston, playground basketball legend andpoint guard for the Toronto Raptors. He’s been an inspiration to me during my tortured basketball career. Someday I’ll blog on that. For now, though, I’m excited to go play some ball with my buddy Will. Something so cleansing, so energizing, so pure about getting out and playing ball. Particularly in this adult life I find myself trapped in, where I sit for hours multiple by factors of four.... Read more

Recently saw that Tom Cruise criticized Brooke Shields for taking medication for postpartum (after-birth) depression. The press has made a big fuss over this, mainly because it involves two beautiful throwing public mud at one another, but I’ve had my own thoughts on why this feud is noteworthy. In a culture that prizes a utilitarian personal ethic, this exchange signifies a surprising act of judgment on the part of Cruise. These are the days of crazy schedules, little accountability, and... Read more

My librarian mother and literati father read often to me during my youth. One of my earliest joys as a child was having mom and dad read not one but two books before bedtime. Over the years, I developed an interest in history, reading about such things as the Civil War, colonial America, and so on. In my adulthood, this interest has driven me to biographies. In fact, I love reading biographies. Here’s why. 1) Biographies are about people. People... Read more

1) California Pizza Kitchen–the champion. Delectable, delightful, destructive.2) Freschetta Thin Crust– exquisite. Fatty, but delirshious.3) Digornio–Pretty solid. Good sauce. 4) Red Baron–Almost unthinkably fatty. 200& of your daily sat fat in a whole pizza. Good taste though.5) Tony’s–The dependable, cheap alternative. Tastes like it, too. Tonight, I will be sampling the delights of a Freschetta 5-cheese pizza. My mouth waters just thinking of my circular friend just waiting to be–dare it say it?–consumed. Read more

A picture of my friend Keegan (on the left) and myself a few hours before his wedding. The irony about this picture is that it is one of a very few pictures that have been published during our six-year friendship. We’re on some sort of FDR-type deal. You know there’s something like three pictures that survive of him in a wheelchair, don’t you? Anyway, the picture is from June 11, 2005, an awesome day for Keeg, Rachel, and all who... Read more

Man, this blogging thing is sweet. Stream of consciousness writing, to a public audience, with visions of improbable journalistic conquest–ah yes, the dream is alive and well here at Consumed. Thanks for being a part of this. Hopefully, we can keep it interesting. That’s all I’m seeking. Though, if you know of a high-paying periodical in hot pursuit of a exuberant twentysomething evangelical writer, hit me. How did I ignore this for so long? Read more