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Category Archives: Books
Lewis on Literature
Fall break has broken. It came to an end last night with church, some orange chicken with steamed rice, laundry, and the final pages of C. S. Lewis’s The Discarded Image. The book, Lewis’s attempt at writing a “primer” for … Continue reading
Beyond Common Things
A few months ago I spent some time working through Jedediah Purdy’s For Common Things. I first heard of the book when it was name-dropped on The Newsroom. When I read it, I found a genuine struggle with making sense … Continue reading
Nostalgia as Arson
A couple of months ago I spent a few weeks “reflecting” my way through Yuval Levin’s The Fractured Republic, which suggested that both the political right and the political left were “stuck in the past” when trying to articulate Our … Continue reading
Celebrating Birthdays and the Promise of Adventure
Today, September the 22nd, is of particular importance to fans of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, as it serves as the birthdays of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Thanks to the calendar work Tolkien did (that can be found … Continue reading
A Reduction of Dimensions
I’m often interested in the interplay of genres and forms, particularly when it comes to storytelling and when one form seems to subsume another. The easy target, of course, is television and the internet. The relationship between television and the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Internet, Television
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Reminders of the Sacred Journey
It was the music of Wes King that led me to the books of Frederick Buechner. King’s “Magnificent Defeat” was inspired by a Buechner sermon of the same name. I remember in college reading through Buechner’s sermons and early biographical … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Faith, Internet, Music
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Merton on Suffering
At this point in life’s journey, I’m pretty sure I’ve not heard enough good sermons about suffering. In fact, it’s only been in the last couple of months that I can really say that I’ve heard suffering spoken of appropriately … Continue reading
“I Know Why the Caged Internet User Sings”
Nicholas Carr’s writing has been key in helping me see the now in the context of the bigger picture when it comes to technology. Carr will release a collection of essays (new and old) in a week titled Utopia is … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Internet
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Praying, Sleeping, and Dreaming
Thomas Merton begins No Man is an Island with the intent of helping the reader understand how best we can love ourselves, one another, and God well. Then, from such a straightforward beginning, he takes a more circuitous route, tracing … Continue reading
Asceticism and Hope
One of the many great moments in Shawshank Redemption that sticks with you long after that wonderful final shot closes is Andy’s take on hope: Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good … Continue reading
Space Enough, and Time 