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Values, Faith, and Church

The Question of Utility

I've been reading an interesting book (if you're a policy wonk like me) called The Utility of Force [http://www.amazon.com/Utility-Force-Rupert-Smith/dp/0713998369]. It's by a British general and military historian who explores the changing ability of military force to be useful politically, or as t

Values, Faith, and Church

I'm Getting Tired of ... Religion

You know, I'm really getting tired of religion. I don't mean spirituality, necessarily, and I certainly don't mean the practice of Christlikeness. But I surely do mean the earthly-focused, useless, institutional, powerless, unexamined fabric of delusions and rituals that pass for Christianity in man

Life in General

Two Sunday Morning Blessings

Some of my friends and readers know that one of my lives is that of a musician. It's interesting how compartmentalized our lives are; many of my co-workers have no idea of this part of me, or of my long history in making and directing music. (And

Life in General

My Tribute to Molly Ivins

(Posted at the Texas Observer, her "home" paper) I envy all you people in Texas. No, really, I do. You got to know Molly for many years, while I only discovered her when I read "Shrub" for the first time in 2000. It's funny

Life in General

Have a Very Merry, Horribly Conflicted Christmas

(Cross-posted at DailyKos and at Street Prophets) I have always loved Christmas: the decorations, the special services at church, the parties, the time off. When I was young, the gifts were part of the attraction, but over time getting gifts has become much less important than giving them. One

Life in General

Pastor Speaks Out on Walmart

(cross-posted at Daily Kos) Our church, and our pastor, are serious about two things: inviting people into the love and acceptance of God, and confronting injustice as the opportunity presents itself. So when Dr. Joseph Phelps of Highland Baptist in Louisville was contacted by the WakeUpWalmart folks and asked

Values, Faith, and Church

Who Would Jesus Torture?

Our pastor, Joe Phelps, passed along an essay he did for Ethics Daily (link at the right). I cross-posted it on dailyKos here. Please go give it a read -- it's very good. Labels: Christianity, Jesus, non-violence, torture

Writing and the Arts

Journalism 101

I am the son of a journalist, and have always had a strong interest in both the product and the process. Both are becoming more and more suspect. Time after time, I read stories where it is obvious that the reporter did not ask any follow-ups. There has been

Values, Faith, and Church

A Few Quick Links for Christians

It's almost Sunday, and time for a few links for fellow Christians to check out... * Faithful Progressive, a new (to me) blog that looks promising * * Christian Alliance for Progress, a new site (and organization?) subtitled "The Movement to Reclaim Christianity and Transform American Politics." I'

Writing and the Arts

Neuromancer Redux?

Just finished the latest novel by William Gibson (whom I didn't know was even still alive, much less writing). I have long thought his Neuromancer was one of the most amazing novels I've ever read, especially when you compare his insights into the digital future (which

Life in General

Courage to Write, Courage to Speak

I've been re-reading an important book in my life, The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes. The basic premise, of course, is that fear in all its infinite variety is part and parcel of writing, and that the act of writing is itself an act of courage.

Life in General

A Paean to Small Joys

Let us sing the praises of small joys, of everyday joys, of the little blessings so often missed and ignored: -- Of independent coffeehouses, in old buildings with wooden floors, with classical music playing on the CD player and young people with dreadlocks behind the counter. -- Of independent bookstores right next

Values, Faith, and Church

Ethics versus Morals

As we prepare for the inauguration and reflect on recent and current events, we may find benefit in the comparison of ethics versus morals. Morals, according to the dictionary, is "concerned with the judgment of the goodness or badness of human action." And when it comes to judgment,