Jim Collins observed that "good is the enemy of great," launching people, leaders and organizations on a relentless pursuit of greatness. But has anyone taken the time to properly assess this maxim? Greatness is, by definition, exceptional, and therefore an exception. If we all achieved greatness, we'd need to redefine greatness because it would all… Continue reading 70 is the new 100: the counter-intuitive folly of great expectations
A few months ago James K.A. Smith (you need that many initials when your last name is Smith), Professor of Philosophy at Calvin College, posted on my book at his blog fors clavigera. There's a nice symmetry in this because I'm just now reading his important book Desiring The Kingdom. What I find so lovely is… Continue reading James K.A. Smith on Seeking God’s Face
Every now and then life serves up moments brimming with so much glory you can’t help but cry out with Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "Earth's crammed with heaven." Last week was one of those times, a week piled high with goodness on top of grace (and yet there was a shadow of regret that Betty wasn’t… Continue reading Crammed with heaven
Yet another end of the world prediction about to come and go. Why don't these prognosticators read their bibles and listen to Jesus that no one but the Father knows the date. And so instead of fretfully worrying, do a dance and enjoy this good life. And what better way that "It's the end of… Continue reading A song for the end of all things
I don't know about you but I squirmed when I first saw images of Americans celebrating the death of Osama bin Laden. Something about it was too eerily reminiscent of the Gaza strip Palestinian women dancing and celebrating after the attacks on 9/11. I thought of writing my reactions but didn't want to add to… Continue reading On the death of bin Laden
Instead of the usual Friday photos I'm posting a few Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strips. On a recent stop in Portland's Powells Books, I added a few more volumes to my collection. Calvin and Hobbes is the simply the most brilliant, witty and visually beautiful comic strip published. Named after the theologian and philosopher, Calvin and Hobbes engages… Continue reading Calvin and Hobbes meet science and faith
Next week I'm off to Galiano Island (one of the southern Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia) at the invitation of Regent College. I'll be a participant in the third cohort of Regent's three year Pastoral Science program. The purpose is to engage evangelical Protestant pastors with the world of science, to better integrate sound… Continue reading Resciencing faith/refaithing science
Saturday’s Globe and Mail carried a feature article on the apparently changing notion of motherhood in society, the movement to shuck the haloed image of a sainted mother and finally accept the “good-enough mom.” But for all the optimism about sharing the parenting load and shedding the psychological burden of perfect parenting, I was left… Continue reading Changing diapers as an act of faith
Because our visual perspective is what it is - pedestrian and street level - there's something about both the close-up or far-off view that always fascinates. The change in perspective is like glasses, helping me to see again. And I'm amazed to see what is there - the colour, design, and beauty that is so… Continue reading Friday photos
We're in the season of Easter, a 50 day season to let the implications of the resurrection sink deep into our living, a time to "practice resurrection." That lovely phrase was coined by Wendell Berry, a Kentucky farmer, brilliant essayist and poet. It comes from his poem Manifesto: the Mad Farmer Liberation Front and you… Continue reading Practice Resurrection
Squinch 