The @ Sea podcast started out to be (and I hope continues to be) a helpful and hopeful guide through sometimes murky or turbulent cultural waters. Some of what that looks like is talking to people I don’t align with politically, ideologically, culturally,… Not because it’s enough to simply “celebrate diversity” but because the discipline … Read More
I remember being in a conversation, I think it was my Junior year of college, in which I was fully introduced to the term “hermeneutics.” I’d been familiar with “interpretation” before but the idea that there was a field of study based on the interpretive potters of readers was fascinating to me. It actually gave … Read More
When Donald Miller’s book “Blue Like Jazz” was initially making its rounds through religious circles, one of the hot topics of conversation had to do with cultural taboos. Namely, that there was a pastor in the book who cussed and that drinking alcohol was somewhat normalized. As someone who grew up around people who both … Read More
Most of the guests I host on the podcast share some kind of faith in common. For many of them, that faith carries the label of “Christianity.” for others, that label doesn’t fit quite as well or as comfortably. My last guest, Jon Steingard, is one such guest for whom religious labels are somewhat unhelpful, … Read More
My father over-identified with his work. It cost him his life. I’ve talked about that a lot since losing him, which happened 22yrs ago, today. Talking about my Dad’s overworking and depression was a warning to folks kind enough to listen. I also know I live with many of the same capacities for overwork and … Read More
Last night, my son lost his first pet; a guinea pig named “Morris.” At first, Asa seemed to take the news of Morris’ passing in stride, dutifully and almost happily helping pick an appropriately-sized box for the guinea pig’s small body. “Dad, we should have a funeral.” “Absolutely. Do you want to have a small … Read More
I took a truckload of notes at The Jubilee Conference. Instead of dump them all out, here are a few highlights and the thoughts these highlights stir in me: – “In chaos, tyranny thrives.” -Jon Tyson I realized that I am often drawn to gatherings like Jubilee (and Jubilee specially) not so much by a … Read More
Sure, CNN, MSNBC and FOX have their agendas. But to simply say “I don’t believe a word of it” is just lazy. Every bit of information I’ll ever receive is coming at me from an angle. This is why Nietzsche wrote “there is no truth, only interpretation.” I think that’s largely true (see what I did … Read More
I remember, at one point during one of Aaron Sorkin’s genius bits of West Wing dialogue, a representative from a sister Nation informing the President of the United States that it is difficult to hear moral instruction about the possession and use of nuclear weapons from the only nation to ever use one. I’ve always thought there … Read More
I am spending the month of June mentoring college students and playing music at Young Life’s Woodleaf. This property has played a key role in my life’s process. I was baptized here in December of 1993, been here just about once a year since 1987 and worked every job a volunteer can do here. This is the last in … Read More
