It’s amazing how quickly life happens. Ryan Maxwell, my son Ryan’s namesake, was my best friend for 13 years. He was just days from turning 19. He was dating Lynley Herbert, 17 (my son’s age now). My family moved to town when I was 5, and Lynley’s family was the first family we met. I grew up with these two people. I often spent more time with their families than … Read more
We Are The Ocean
When a raindrop falls over the ocean, it ceases to be a single drop of rain as soon as it hits the ocean’s surface — It becomes the entire ocean.
When whistleblower Edward Snowden released data exposing the U.S. government’s mass data collection of its citizens’ communications and that of every person in the world, he exposed the underbelly of the beast. He proved that y… Read more
When a raindrop falls over the ocean, it ceases to be a single drop of rain as soon as it hits the ocean’s surface — It becomes the entire ocean.
When whistleblower Edward Snowden released data exposing the U.S. government’s mass data collection of its citizens’ communications and that of every person in the world, he exposed the underbelly of the beast. He proved that y… Read more
On Behalf of White Men, I’m Sorry.
This is an open letter to every being who has been affected by white men. Our actions are reprehensible and inexcusable. My sincere hope and desire are for reconciliation and peace. For that to come, white men must accept full responsibility for their actions. It starts with me.
To the Europeans, Middle Easterners, Asians, Islanders, and indigenous people of Australia:
I see yo… Read more
This is an open letter to every being who has been affected by white men. Our actions are reprehensible and inexcusable. My sincere hope and desire are for reconciliation and peace. For that to come, white men must accept full responsibility for their actions. It starts with me.
To the Europeans, Middle Easterners, Asians, Islanders, and indigenous people of Australia:
I see yo… Read more
Misogyny In The Church Must Go
#ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
Although I am a feminist and advocate for women in general, I’m still working to deconstruct the sexism that was programmed into me for 30 years. I don’t always get it right (as Lindsey is fully aware), but I also have ZERO desire to have even a hint of misogyny working through me. Frankly, I wasn’t even aware that I was sexist at all… Read more
#ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear
Although I am a feminist and advocate for women in general, I’m still working to deconstruct the sexism that was programmed into me for 30 years. I don’t always get it right (as Lindsey is fully aware), but I also have ZERO desire to have even a hint of misogyny working through me. Frankly, I wasn’t even aware that I was sexist at all… Read more
Our Revolution
Perhaps now more than ever, minorities and their allies lament with fear and angst. I never understood that until I expanded my table to include them. To be entirely fair, I still don’t fully understand it because I’m a white, privileged, heterosexual man.
Throughout history, minorities have suffered tremendously. One might think that we’ve made progress&… Read more
Perhaps now more than ever, minorities and their allies lament with fear and angst. I never understood that until I expanded my table to include them. To be entirely fair, I still don’t fully understand it because I’m a white, privileged, heterosexual man.
Throughout history, minorities have suffered tremendously. One might think that we’ve made progress&… Read more
A Cesspool of Hate
In my last blog post I spoke of a “sea of bodies” that we’re wading through. That was in light of the recent terror attacks around the world (Turkey, Pakistan, Paris, Orlando, etc.). It was infuriating to me that the world blew off the Iraqi, Turkish, and Pakistani attacks. Equally maddening is the cesspool of hate Americans seem to be gleefully splashing in.
Bla… Read more
A Sea of Bodies
I’m struggling today. There is a sea of bodies surrounding all of us, but it’s largely been ignored.
I don’t even know how far back I have to go to start counting the bodies. Is it Columbine? The eradication of Native Americans? Neanderthals?
No matter where these tragedies occur, the sea of bodies are still collecting, forming an ocean that is becoming increa… Read more
Safe Spaces
It occurred to me at some point along my journey that people need safe spaces–places where they’re able to remove their mask and be fully themselves.
Living in the wilderness of north eastern Minnesota has its perks. The wildlife is beyond incredible! This morning I was gazing out my picture window watching the deer feeding in my yard. Last spring I got to see a doe, fat … Read more
Fear Is A Bitch.
A friend posed a question for a group of us to think on the other day.
Existential angst. A Western luxury?
My answer to the group was that anxiety isn’t a ‘luxury’ by any means, but it’s certainly prevalent throughout the Western culture.
That got me thinking, “Why is anxiety so common?”
It doesn’t take a genius to figure these things … Read more
God In A Box
Preface:
I’m not the easiest person to get to know. There’s a lot that goes into that–I’m introverted, I’m analytical, and I’m a critical thinker. To get to know me typically means that I’m getting to know you first. I’m establishing a base in which to work from.
That doesn’t mean that I’m judging you exactly; I&#… Read more