Category Archives: The Long Story

On Thanksgiving

Posted on November 28, 2024 by awtraughber

A song for Thanksgiving Day (and every day, really) from Andrew Peterson.  Best super-long song since “American Pie.”

Posted in Faith, Music, The Long Story | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Civilization, Culture, and What Comes Next

Posted on November 18, 2024 by awtraughber

I finally got around to watching Paul Kingsnorth’s “Against Christian Civilization” lecture.  I kept putting it off but had a good friend that kept reminding me to watch it.  It does not disappoint.  What he has to say is difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, Notes for a World's End, Scripture, The Long Story | Leave a comment

The Fuel You Use

Posted on November 4, 2024 by awtraughber

I’ve thought a good bit about internal and external motivations since my trip to Yosemite.  There’s an echo of that conversation in this recent post by Seth Godin, where he writes about what “fuels” you.  Motivation matters, I think.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Friendship, Organizations and Institutions, Teaching, The Long Story | Leave a comment

The Airlock

Posted on August 20, 2024 by awtraughber

For me, Laity Lodge is like an airlock between different environments and periods of time. My first trip to the Lodge (you can see a picture of it from across the Frio River in the photostream to the right) back … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Faith, Music, The Long Story, Travel | Leave a comment

Benedict and Radner

Posted on July 5, 2024 by awtraughber

Reflections on Mortal Goods by Ephraim Radner, Part Seven I find two things particularly encouraging as Radner brings the first major section of Mortal Goods to a close.  He has already laid the groundwork for a conversation about “Christian politics” … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Church, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, Scripture, The Long Story | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sojourn

Posted on June 27, 2024 by awtraughber

Reflections on Mortal Goods by Ephraim Radner, Part Three The third chapter of Ephraim Radner’s Mortal Goods is one that really sings to me.  After getting the lay of the land as a place and time for “evil days,” Radner … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Church, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, Scripture, The Long Story | Tagged | Leave a comment

Letters for Evil Days

Posted on June 26, 2024 by awtraughber

Reflections on Mortal Goods by Ephraim Radner, Part Two In the last few weeks of my spring course, we use 1 John as our opening Scripture.  The letter allows for a number of call-backs to both the Old Testament and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Church, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, Scripture, The Long Story | Tagged | Leave a comment

Concerning Mortal Goods

Posted on June 25, 2024 by awtraughber

Reflections on Mortal Goods by Ephraim Radner, Part One The most unfortunate (but also necessary) cut that Peter Jackson’s team made to the cinematic version of The Lord of the Rings is, without a doubt, the scouring of the Shire.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Church, Faith, Life in the Fifth Act, The Long Story | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lord of the Metaphors?

Posted on June 10, 2024 by awtraughber

It’s been a Lord of the Rings weekend here, as the Cannery has been playing the extended versions of the trilogy one per day.  And while I have thoughts on watching the series again, I think the timing of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Faith, Movies, The Long Story | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mortal (and Immortal) Goods

Posted on May 22, 2024 by awtraughber

Tonight is the season finale of Survivor which, for all intents and purposes, marks the end of the 2023-2024 television season.  Summer television is less an odd duck than it used to be, since reruns are mostly a thing of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Faith, The Long Story | Leave a comment