Homeward Bound

Here is a short list of what I have been reading and listening to of late: The Ball and the Cross – G. K. Chesterton When I find myself stuck in the morass of modernity I return to Chesterton. This fictional work tells of a hardened atheist confronted by a pious Roman Catholic as he emerges from his childhood bubble. The two clash violently as both swear to either kill the other or die trying in a duel, both identifying as symbolic representatives of their creeds. Society does not agree, and the book follows a comedic pace as the two try to kill each other, get interrupted by the police, run away together, and try once more to kill each other. The book is thus far an indictment, not of the atheist, but of the dull masses who do not consider these eternal dogmas worth dying for. In one exchange, an objector to the violence says, "Well, we won't quarrel about a word." To which the young Catholic responds in a most Chestertonian fashion: "Why on earth no...

I remember being very influenced by Ben Sasse's book The Vanishing American Adult which discusses the phenomenon of "adolescence" as we have come to know it today. Adolescence is a very novel thing, being birthed out of modern affluence and business marketing that recognized this "in between child and adult" demographic had money to spend. I was horrified to learn that we are today extending adolescence into our early 30s, where many young adults (and young men in particular) are choosing to stay with their parents longer and longer. Where previous generations were forced by economic conditions to go out, find a wife, get to work as soon as possible--our wealth and culture has accommodated a more relaxed approach. This is to our detriment, both to individuals and society. We are creating a generation of men who are passive, apathetic, addicted to technology--instead of living in the fullness of what God has called us to as men. So here are five things (in...

My Grandfather passed away this past Thursday. This is my favorite picture of me and him.  In many ways I find it difficult to grieve his passing appropriately. We were separated by thousands of miles. He didn't speak any English and I did not really speak much Finnish beyond the rudimentary basics. I saw him when we would visit, usually about every other year throughout my childhood. That was my family's big vacation: going to Finland, staying on their farm for three weeks. As I think on it, those unique Finnish trips, memories, people--can all be quite easy to compartmentalize as I try to get on with life over here. Yet, those memories and people remain a part of me. Pappa remains a part of me.   Some might wonder how I could have a good relationship with someone who I did not see often and who did not share a language with me. It really was not difficult. If anything it made the interactions more precious, the translations from my mom more treasured. I had t...

Happy New Year faithful readers of the blog! I am thankful to everyone who reads my content, even as I am not able to post as frequently as I would like to. I did not read as much as I would have liked in 2019 either. Time constraints and some lack of discipline on my part have definitely contributed to this. Nevertheless, I did read some good books. Here is my annual top ten books I read in 2019. 10.  The General vs. The President - H. W. Brands This year I did some historical reading on the era immediately following WW-II and some key events that occurred in the Truman presidency. This book takes a look at two very different leaders (Truman and MacArthur) with very different styles. A clash ensues with global ramifications. A good study, full of practical leadership tips on dealing with difficult people, taking responsibility for decisions, and the sorts of people to surround yourself in the event you find yourself in power. 9.  Great Expectations - Charl...

Last week our Bible Study had fun discussing the topic of prayer and whether the plan of God is "fixed" or "open". We are reading  Celebrating the Disciplines  by Richard Foster  which is a bit mystical and Quaker in its theology. I will say I enjoy reading something that is a bit out of my usual swim lane. Theologically I am hardly a cesationist , and I welcome learning about how we can experience greater intimacy with God and hear His voice. I believe there is a very real aspect of the Christian life that is experiential. So far, I do not have an issue with too many of Foster’s methods. The theology, however, I have found to be problematic at certain points. There was one line in his chapter on prayer where he stated God is continually changing His mind as His children pray: " the Bible stresses so forcefully the openness of our universe that, in an anthropomorphism hard for modern ears, it speaks of God constantly changing his mind in accord with his unc...

My now two year old boy has been having trouble going to sleep. Frequently Montana and I will hear him cry, "Wind, wind!" from his crib. On some evenings if the wind hits the side of the house just right, it will howl. The boy being only two years old is afraid. As he has developed he has grown in his sensitivity to danger, noises, scary things. A few nights ago I held Hudson in his room and I gave him a mini sermon on the sovereignty of God. I started on a naturally human level. I tried to explain to him how the winds is logically not a scary thing. At least not in November in Southern Maryland. Maybe on an island in the Pacific during typhoon season, but not here. Even if it did really blow we are blessed with a structurally sound house that shelters us from its effects. The noise is, just that: noise. It is outside of our house and the noise cannot really do anything to us. "But even if it could harm us, God is sovereign over the wind," I explained. Not...

One of my great struggles is timidity. Fear. Fear of man, fear of failure, fear of not being accepted or approved of. Fear of being derided or lambasted for my beliefs. Far from your classic provocateur, I am not one who enjoys cutting against the common grain. I do not like to stand out. I want to blend in, I do not want to cause fuss. To put it a bit more positively (or negatively), one of my struggles is cowardice. Some people are wired for the battle. They are naturally bold; if you come hard on them there instinct is to come back twice as hard. Me not so much, and much of my struggles revolve around how do I exactly speak up about my faith when an opportunity arises? How do I stand up for what is right when what is wrong is promoted and celebrated? How do I stand for a message and a belief system that is so counter everything our times holds dear? Paul famously   wrote his son in the faith Timothy a passage I may have to glue on every surface in my house, car, and wo...