Volf on memory: Is it a sword or shield?

Volf’s second chapter (Memory: a shield and a sword) considers whether memory “saves us”–contributes to our well-being, or whether it leads us into destruction. He plays off Elie Wiesel’s idea that salvation is found in remembering and not forgetting. But is this always true, Volf asks, as memory of pain can lead to our inflicting [...]

Sheer pleasure

Note to self: be mindful of the simple pleasures of life.

Ponder this: Fosdick on handling limitations

Rebellion against your handicaps gets you nowhere. Self-pity gets you nowhere. One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world – making the most of one’s best
Attributed to Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1878-1969

Volf on remembering trauma rightly, ch. 1

Recently, Scot McKnight at JesusCreedbegan blogging on Miroslav Volf’s new book, The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World(2006, Eerdmans). It was his blog that turned me on to the book and I commend his blog as one of the best on the net. Rather than try to compete with his thoughts, I [...]

Pondering the death of a saint

Just returned home from a jam-packed memorial service for one of the deacons at my church. A man known for vigorous front-row worship, optimistic spirit, willingness to be direct, and love for all people, but especially the marginalized. His bio ought to be next to the dictionary definition of deacon.
Saw lots of acquaintances across the [...]

I’m not an actor and I can’t play one either…

Just spent 30 minutes trying to film a 4 minute commercial for our counseling program. Made me have more respect for our dear president (though I had no teleprompter) who has to speak into the camera for much longer.
I made enough outtakes to last a lifetime. While shooting it I kept thinking of the SNL [...]

Andy Crouch on church and culture

Last week we had Andy Crouch (columnist for Christianity Today and project director for Christian Vision Project) at Biblical talking to us about the relationship between church and culture. It was a good presentation so I want to give some of his thoughts here (but mind you, my interpretations of what he said):
His descriptors of culture: [...]

Science Monday: Character fitness evaluations for counselors?

Brad Johnson and Clark Campbell published an article in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice on the problem of (not) evaluating the character of mental health professionals. They detail the practices of the bar associations evaluations of law students trying to pass the bar. For more than 50 years, students trying to become lawyers were evaluated [...]

First flakes

As I left my office last night–tired from a day of clinical work and a little cold from the rapid decline in temperature–I was met with a beautiful sight of fluffy snowflakes swirling around me. It was only a little squall that lasted long enough to blow on the road but not long enough to [...]

What makes for a great apology?

Last Sunday my small group used the story of Zaccheus to launch a discussion about what makes for a great apology. We know it when we see one and we definitely know when someone’s “I’m sorry” falls far short. But what are the things that make an apology meaningful? Here are some phrases I suggested we [...]