The Odyssey
Marci and I went to see The Odyssey last night, along with some friends. I feel it was a worthwhile use of time and money to see the celebrated summer blockbuster and be able to join the conversation for what’s … Continue reading
Category Archives: Social Issues
John Brown
History can be dry. And history can be juicy. I’ve recently learned more about the famous Abolitionist John Brown, thanks to some local connections, and let me tell you: there’s some juicy stuff in his story. Did you know: I … Continue reading
Shut-Down Shudders
I usually say that if it’s going to be winter, I would prefer it to look like winter and feel like winter. “Bring on the snow! Make me layer up against the cold!” None of this depressing 5-degrees-above-freezing-and-overcast nonsense. And … Continue reading
Posted in Church, COVID-19, God, Grief, H2O Kent, Health, Introspection, Leadership, Ministry, Ohio, Small Groups, Weather
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A Nation of Nations
My friend Mark recently sent me a fascinating article from Politico, which spelled out a well-researched and yet simultaneously highly-creative angle for understanding and interpreting the history of North America: particularly when it comes to things like politics and religion. … Continue reading
Human Experience
I don’t know how to meaningfully speak to current events. Especially when current events involve some element of tragedy. I notice other people sharing perspectives on social media within hours of a new headline, and that makes me feel a … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, God, Grief, Health, Introspection, Social Issues
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Witness
I remember the night I met Katie, early in the Spring Semester of 2022. She was a bubbly first-year student in a flat season of ministry for H2O Kent, as much of the fizz had been taken out of that … Continue reading
Posted in Church, COVID-19, Dating, God, H2O Kent, Health, Kent, Marriage, Ministry, Nostalgia, Prayer, Small Groups, Traditions, Transition
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In the Garden of Beasts
I recently finished reading Erik Larson’s history, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin. I’ve previously appreciated Larson’s Dead Wake (about the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915) and The Devil in the White City … Continue reading
How It Went
I recently finished reading Wendell Berry’s collection of short stories, How It Went. So now, in this fourth month of the year 2025, I have now managed to finished my fourth book from Berry’s Port William series. And once again, I have … Continue reading
The Psychopath Test
I recently finished reading Jon Ronson’s book, The Psychopath Test. I originally heard about it when the author quoted a segment from the book on This American Life. Still, I didn’t actually add it to my list of “Books to Read.” It … Continue reading
Project Hail Mary
I recently finished reading Andy Weir’s novel, Project Hail Mary. I believe it was originally recommended to me by my friend Mark — but it was actually a conversation with my daughter Olivia (about another one of Weir’s books, The Martian) that … Continue reading