Woo hoo!

I am getting my first official payed gig as a writer. A short piece I wrote is going to appear in a future issue of Geeze Magazine. I am so stoked. It was a piece on going to the beach and my lack of just being. I'll make sure to post it when I get the chance.

Content in Ignorance, A Rant in the Key of Sarcasm

This morning I met with my discipler Darrell to read over 1 Peter 1:13-25. I know I picked the right person to disciple me because he, along with my buddy Ken, keep bringing up aspects of the Christian faith that I have no idea about. Such as: The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Council of Dordt, and The Nicene Creed. They actually had the nerve to expect me to not only know about them, but to actually read them as well. This has opened up in my mind a whole world of new questions and ideas that I hoped to long put to bed. Oh no. I miss my days of ignorance. It made my faith so much easier. So as Darrell and I are talking over various things I wonder aloud why I am even bothering to study literature or introduce poetic language and literary licence to the Christian community. Is it so bad to have certain Christian novels (I'm sure you can think of a few) even if they aren't particularly good? What difference will it make in the long run whether a Christian David Sedaris or Hemingway come out of our midst? Darrell says, "Because you care about it and this is your ministry." Doh! Why couldn't he just let me wallow in my self pity like other people? And to make matters worse he gave me a homework assignment. I don't recall any of the great disciples in Schripture giving homework. Darrell expects me to take the verses we read and put them in my own words. Right. So much for ignorance.

The Inklings Reformed

A common conversation I have with a gentleman at my church is how much we wish we could have sat in on The Inklings and have a conversation with these brilliant and creative men of God. Since I was in highschool I have wanted to see Christians take a more active role in many aspects of art. I told my friend how I wished there was a group like the Inklings still around.

"Why don't you form one yourself." uhhhh, because it'd take effort? Ok, so I have no real excuse. So I am looking for anyone interested in forming a group like the Inklings though I am open to anyone in the artistic community from publishing, visual arts, literature, dance... whatever to get together and actively discuss the Christians role in art or share anything that they are working on. If you take art seriously and aren't afraid to give and take criticism and encouragement when either are necessary then I'd like to have you aboard. Even if you don't live in the Philadelphia area, thankfully e-mail makes it easier for us to keep in touch these days and we can work out logistics at another time. Please drop me a line.

cubicle.reverend@gmail.com

You guys had the rennaisance!

While working in a book store a friend of mine asked me, "How can you guys go from writing Dante's Inferno to The Left Behind Series? What happened? You guys had the rennaisance!" Good question. It's one I think more believers are starting to ask themselves. According to Chuck Colson there is a modern rennaisance in literature going on. Is this a good thing? I haven't read any of the books mentioned in the article, but going through Chronicles Of Narnia for Sunday School it is making me wonder what role art, literature, and music plays in the life of a believer. I thought I was pretty secure in my belief as the best way to use art for God's glory. Now I am no longer too sure.

Article: Experiencing War From The Comfort Of Home

I just published my first article at Samantha Burns. It is more political than I usually write here, but I thought that forum was right for it. Hope you enjoy.

Writing Opportunity

I have just recently been asked to be a guest blogger on The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns. If you ever get the chance go and check her blog out.