Drinking the Accolades
Is it as dangerous as drinking the Kool-Aid? Maybe. But today I'll just celebrate.
My 2023 Reading Round-Up
Blistering Short Stories, Gay Romances, Head-spinning Memoirs. I enjoyed the ride that was my year of reading!
Cinderella: Passive Lead or Meek Hero?
If you’ve ever heard someone ranking Disney Princesses based on moral fibre and strength of character, you’ve probably heard Cinderella receive a low grade.
Your Work Can Be A Kindness to Yourself
Self-compassion is great. We all need it! But have you ever gotten caught in the “kind to myself” spiral that becomes self-sabotage?
Confidence in His Kindness
I strongly resist characterizing faith as sitting back and awaiting divine generosity. And yet, an overdeveloped sense of personal agency can get me spinning in circles and tangled in my own schemes.
Songs Are Written Not Born
I can generate a rough draft of prose really quickly. Why is my experience with songs so different?
Close (2022) Film Review
Close pulses with visual as well as emotional vibrance. Belgian director Lukas Dhont and co-screenwriter Angelo Tijssens deliver a painful study of connection, friendship, and the fear that can hold us back from them.
The Christ Figure in “Moulin Rouge!”
Whether Baz Luhrmann intended it or not, a comparison between the protagonist and Jesus Christ is virtually inescapable.
The Weeping Prophet & Tears Today
How do we respond to loss? It is usually a cocktail of tears, denial, depression, avoidance, overcompensation, and self-medication. How might it look if we modelled our grief after the prophet Jeremiah?
My Viewing Guide for Netflix’s “Kaleidoscope"
I started with Yellow and I couldn’t be happier. I mean, sure… you could start with any episode and enjoy the ride. But hear me out on why Yellow is the best place to start.
Disagreeing without Disparaging
How do I disagree graciously? One version of religious conviction would have me politely condescend. A more pluralistic version would have me respect the content of their conviction as equally valid to that of my own. How do I proceed in good conscience?
My 2022 in Books
It was a lighter year for reading but there were big winners in the line-up.
Heat & Beauty: “Imagine Van Gogh” and the Collision of Art Media
Imagine Van Gogh is an innovative exhibit bringing multiple media into conversation. Is that pairing successful?
Discipleship and the Holy Spirit
Mary's faith is a worthy meditation even beyond the Advent season. What does Gabriel's word about the Holy Spirit and Mary's trusting response say about our Christian journey?
4 Elements of Great Christian Mentoring
Christian mentorship makes an enormous difference to the discipleship of youth, emerging adults, and adults. How can we improve our practice of something this influential?