One of the criticisms leveled at social media platforms such as Facebook is that they inherently encourage us to portray a picture of ourselves only at our best. Perhaps we could call it the new “Sunday Smile”. We post pictures of our best moments at the beach, or at the barbecue, at the rally or … Continue reading Navigating the Divide: Part 1—It’s Time To Talk About Heresy
Rhyme and Season: Part 10—We Can’t Let The Song Go Out Of Things
Would it surprise you to know that I am feeling pretty disenchanted with our political systems lately? Okay, probably not. How about that I’m disenchanted with the “greatness” of the country in which I live? Oh, you, too? Right. How about that I am disenchanted with professional sports, or the music industry, or the “church … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 10—We Can’t Let The Song Go Out Of Things
Rhyme and Season: Part 9—Third Place as First Place
A few years back, I had the privileged opportunity to work for Starbucks. I say “privileged” because of the people I got to work with, the people I got to serve, and the vision I learned I was a part of. I discovered that a Starbucks coffee costs what it does because they took seriously … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 9—Third Place as First Place
Rhyme and Season: Part 8—You (Can’t) Complete Me
This morning, while my wife was cooking eggs, I looked over her shoulder. Yep, you see where this is going. I waited for her to move toward the sink, and then I stepped in. Turned down the heat. Made sure the eggs wouldn’t dry out or stick to the pan. My wife loves when I … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 8—You (Can’t) Complete Me
Rhyme and Season: Part 7—We Are Not Their God
Maybe there isn’t a maternal or paternal instinct to love a child. There are scholars, who, having combed through the histories of people, question the assumption that parents naturally will care for and love their children. And you can see why. An ancient Roman gutter was found clogged with the bones of over a hundred … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 7—We Are Not Their God
Rhyme and Season: Part 6—The “Dead” of Winter
I’m originally from California, but for the past 18 years have lived on the eastern side of the United States. So let’s just say winter has taken some getting used to. In the part of California where I grew up, winter meant rain. Lots of rain. For nine months, little to no rain. For three … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 6—The “Dead” of Winter
Rhyme and Season: Part 5–Out of Breath
There is this fascinating statement very early on in the Hebrew Scriptures which makes a statement about the divine, that, frankly, no one sees coming. We are told this about the Giver of all things: “On the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” Huh? In case we forgot who we are told it was … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 5–Out of Breath
Rhyme and Season: Part 4–What People Fear More Than Pain
There is a rise and fall, ebb and flow, punctuation and parenthesis to each day that is sacred, intentional, good. But I must admit, it is the rise and flow and punctuation that I desire more than the fall, ebb, and parenthesis. Which means that I often do all I can to avoid it, fill … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 4–What People Fear More Than Pain
Rhyme and Season: Part 3—Eat, Sleep, and Be Weary
When my friend was in high school, he and a few of his buddies decided to make the trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Disneyland in Southern California, spend two days at the park, and then drive home. In a weekend. That’s an eight hour trip, mind you. Drive Friday night. Do the … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 3—Eat, Sleep, and Be Weary
Rhyme and Season: Part 2—Daylight Debting Time
I have to admit—and I know I am in the minority here—but I kind of like daylight saving time. Once a year, in the spring, it feels like I have been gifted an extra hour of daylight. It means summer is coming, that I will be outside more, that the earth is coming back to … Continue reading Rhyme and Season: Part 2—Daylight Debting Time