Painfully Hopeful

Avatar, Thoughts

This past Monday a friend of mine and I went to see Avatar in 3D at a local theater. I’ve been meaning to get my thoughts on the movie down, and so here I go. First, if you go to see this movie, see it in 3D. The visuals are stunning and the digital 3D…

Books I (remembered that) I read in 2009

My good friend Chris put out a list of the books he’s read in 2009. I liked the idea so much I decided to blog my own list of books I read in 2009. Those I remembered that I’ve read, at least. Before I start, let me thank Delicious Library for their excellent software that…

The War on Advent

During one of my Advent sermons this year I remarked, “I don’t think there really is any such thing as a ‘War on Christmas.’ At least, if there is one then they’ve apparently missed. I do, however, think there might be a ‘War on Advent,’ and that churches and retailers are inadvertently allied in that the war.”…

Evaluation Day

I might be odd, but I actually enjoy being evaluated. I think this is partly because I’m usually my harshest critic, so the critiques that other people bring are rarely surprising. When people evaluate me highly, however, it’s pleasantly surprising. I am used, however, to being evaluated on things like, “What did you do for…

Advent 2009

It seems every year I end up bemoaning the Church’s complete ignorance of the season of Advent. First, we get caught up in the culture war mentality which lashes out against the “War on Christmas.” Second, we pack our schedules so full of december activities that it seems we don’t have a single moment to…

A Week Off

I’m off this week. This means, given that the kids were in school Monday through Wednesday and my wife’s family is coming here, I’m hanging around the house. I have to say, it’s nice. I don’t really like traveling all that much because suddenly a vacation turns from “rest” to planning how to fill one’s…