The Spiritual Discipline of Staying
But there is something biblical and beautiful about commitment to community that is not quickly discarded when a promotion lures or a warmer climate beckons.
I Won’t Be Far
I am not going to a warzone. I am going to the house next door, treated in Syria’s conflagration as the westward gutter, collecting blood and people.
Being Peaceful
It is nigh impossible to neither seek nor desire our own justice, to remove the impulse for vengeance, to love utter mercy. But so too is it impossible to be holy as He is holy, and still that is our aim.
A Web of Impossible Politics
We should vote and be thankful that we can, but we also need to ask: how can I regain a love of politics when politicians represent parties instead of people?
Faith and Work
We should all be able to answer the question: “How does your faith affect your work?” But maybe an even more appropriate question is, “How does your work inform your faith?”
The World is Larger Still
This is a source of regret for me now. I had ample opportunity to learn, maintain, and grow my language skills, but, quite simply, it wasn’t a priority.
Sheer, Stupid Inertia
It’s this inertia that, very possibly, will find us waking up in ten years in a job we never really planned on, thinking, How did I get here? This was supposed to be for the summer.
Slowly
No life is a cliché. Ever. Because you are you and no one else—and the fact that it’s a cliché to say it doesn’t make it a cliché to live it.
My Year in Data
I’m all for having a Mint account to track budgets, and I’m certainly a proponent of keeping journals and calendars, but we’re coming to live in an age that is frighteningly invasive in its observation.
The Art of Pardoning Turkeys
In 2004, the president’s main turkey was named Biscuits. Its backup—because even turkeys get understudies—was named Gravy. The following year they were named Marshmallow and Yam.
Do You Trust Me?
But if that’s true, how long will it be before we stop riding the train of mere suspicion and arrive in the new, dim empire of total social, political, and spiritual agnosticism?
The Abbreviators
Hear me, please. I like America. I like English. I like being a millennial. But, really, if I hear the word abreves again in serious conversation…
Naked Italians and The Obnoxious Tourist
Much of the time this is not a problem. But with growing frequency, the nauseating and, often, gross social gracelessness is a deliberate act of rebellion and selfishness.
When Our Dogs Go
It’s a little bit embarrassing the way our dogs affect us. We develop a language with them. We call them the weirdest pet names. We let them get away with things.
Consider the Lilies
You think you are the glory of creation, but you are still within creation. For dust you are and all that. You think, I should see the redwoods soon. I should go to Tuvalu before it’s underwater.
Lessons in Monstrosity
I know it’s illegal, but do I care enough to prevent it when I see it? Does he want us to stop him? Will saying something be more trouble than it’s worth?
The Fault in Our Yarns
For some reason it feels like I’m saying, “My favorite food is chicken nuggets,” or “I really like listening to Hanson while playing laser tag.”
A Night at the Lanes
I found myself standing across the counter from a twenty-something in a red bowling shirt last Saturday night. His name was probably Mike. He just looked like a Mike.
An Unexpected Response to “Pro-choice at Calvin”
If Chimes were to print only Synod-sanctioned journalism, it would have become merely propaganda. That’s not what we want for our students.
The Simplest Act
And this is a little bit comforting, but mostly annoying. Because what if God doesn’t intend for you to head toward that promotion, wasn’t planning on sticking to your timetables?
I’m Going to Let You Down
Because there are so many little issues involved that tunnel-vision just ignores, and very few minds are changed, and nobody looks good in the end.
6 Reasons to Start Your Personal Blog Today
Undoubtedly, a few friends have told you to start a blog because you said something interesting once, right? And last time I checked, if your peers tell you to do something, you should always do it.
Jim and Pam Are My Friends
Good TV is like good literature. Both forms tell stories. They take you places, let you meet people and hopefully make you feel something.
Work It, Don’t Twerk It
This month, I celebrated my one-year anniversary of post-education employment. By “celebrated” I mean I told the dentist that I’d been at my job for a year now and then he gave me some free floss.
Was George Washington Funny?
For better or worse, movies are selling us hilarity for the price of a ticket and popcorn, and we’re buying it.
Sean Connery on writing
“But I have nothing to write about,” you say. I say, “Are you familiar with any people, places or things? If yes, you have something to write about, so close your cakehole and write.”
