I remember the first time I heard about a new Irish band. It was 1985, I was at college in the U.S. and my friend Ann told me I had to check out this band called U2 (previously known as Feedback and The Hype, they formally became U2 during a show in a Presbyterian Church near Dublin -… Continue reading Take this soul and make it sing
It's camping season, time to stoke up the fire and stare silently into the flames. A campfire is simply mesmerizing - constantly changing shapes, beautiful colours, that irrepressible pop and crackle, it's warmth, utility, and dangerous beauty.
Despite what you might think or have been told, creativity is the inheritance of all - even you. It's part of your constitution, made as you are in the likeness of God. Fashioned to be like him, it is human nature to make things, and what we make need not be tagged as art to… Continue reading 29 ways to be what you are
We're all faced with defining moments, times when our responses to the circumstances of life prophetically outline the shape of who we are becoming. This past week Vancouver had one of those defining moments - and I don't mean the riots. It was the day after the bedlam. There was an immediate groundswell of disgust… Continue reading The thread of civility, part 2
On the way to meet up with a friend for lunch in Banff this past week, I took the long way, meandering through the foothills along the way and spending a little time with a few hay bales. I love the lines in a hay bale - there's a spiky flow to it. I distorted… Continue reading Friday photos
Who knew that a wallflower virtue like civility would be so vital to something like watching hockey? (I didn't say playing hockey but watching it!) It was not a huge surprise to me to see another Vancouver post-Stanley Cup riot this week. I'm sure there are a whole slew of reasons for it but one… Continue reading The thread of civility
My faith tribe, the Christian Reformed Church, is holding its annual Synod (meaning "assembly" from the Greek word συνοδος) in Grand Rapids, MI as you read this (if you're a keener, you can watch it here). It's mostly a big family meeting where we huddle up to listen, discuss and decide on weighty, and not-so-weighty, issues,… Continue reading That’s Synod with a y
I am really enjoying this series of images. Taken on Galiano Island, from atop a bluff looking down at rocks along the waters edge with the sun glinting in the sea. The first is a normal exposure with the next two underexposed to highlight the sun sparking on the water. Looking at them, it's no… Continue reading Friday photos – watery blanket of stars
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
Squinch 