Question: does a story about flatulent baby-faced aliens plotting Phantom Menace-style to destroy the Earth really merit two episodes? Whatever your answer, I’m afraid the two-episode story only gets one Tardis Theology reflection. Most of the first episode is simply setup of the convoluted scheme of the villainous Slitheen to infiltrate the upper echelons of … Continue reading Tardis Theology #4: In Which The Doctor Discovers That The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil, Even In Aliens.
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Are You Tired Of Being Cynical? Here’s 4 Ideas To Help You Be Different.
My generation didn’t invent cynicism. We just own it as our posture toward the world. We became fluent in irony, exploring all its nuances. We re-made media into a layer cake of self-referential pop culture jokes. We diluted our rage into detached snarking from the sidelines. We invented the mumblecore film genre, fixating brooding introspective … Continue reading Are You Tired Of Being Cynical? Here’s 4 Ideas To Help You Be Different.
Tardis Theology #3: In Which Charles Dickens Questions The Value Of His Life’s Work
What could be better than a Christmas ghost story by Charles Dickens? How about a Christmas alien invasion story featuring Charles Dickens, in which the master of melodrama himself helps the Doctor thwart an extraterrestrial horde’s plan to conquer the Earth? Yes, it’s an absurd premise. Absurdity, after all, is part of the fun of … Continue reading Tardis Theology #3: In Which Charles Dickens Questions The Value Of His Life’s Work
When Your Life Is Turned Upside Down, Find Hope In Celebrating Holy Week (Not Just Easter)
Things didn’t turn out the way Peter expected. I suspect that he envisioned a quick victory. While it’s likely he expected tense moments, Peter certainly expected God to act powerfully before things became their darkest. The Palm Sunday crowds with their shouts of “Hosanna” seemed to confirm Peter’s confidence. On Maundy Thursday, I imagine the … Continue reading When Your Life Is Turned Upside Down, Find Hope In Celebrating Holy Week (Not Just Easter)
Tardis Theology #2: In which Rose Tyler is wrong about what it is to be human
In this episode, the Doctor takes Rose five billion years into the future to view the end of the world. They crash an exclusive soiree for the Universe’s wealthiest notables. Held on a specially shielded space station, this cocktail party’s main event is the viewing of the expansion of the sun and fiery death of … Continue reading Tardis Theology #2: In which Rose Tyler is wrong about what it is to be human
4 Life Lessons I Learned From A Nonagenarian’s Story
You’d like Nora if you met her. She’s a lovely 96-year-old member of our church (your vocabulary word for the day is nonagenarian: a person in their 90’s). Nora would immediately charm you with her smile and her cheery demeanor; I’d bet a steak dinner on it. I’ve also found that she is very wise. … Continue reading 4 Life Lessons I Learned From A Nonagenarian’s Story
Tardis Theology #1 – In which the Doctor prompts us to consider Jesus’ call
Over the next several weeks, I’ll be trying out a new feature for weekend posts: Tardis Theology. I believe that wherever there is truth, goodness, and beauty, we can find hints of God’s hand behind it. With that belief in mind, I’ll be reflecting on the popular science fiction series, Doctor Who, beginning with the … Continue reading Tardis Theology #1 – In which the Doctor prompts us to consider Jesus’ call
Re-Thinking The Hard Work Of Writing
Writing is hard. Don’t let anyone tell you different. More precisely, good writing is hard. By good writing, I mean clear writing. Writing that is lean and vigorous and interesting. Writing free from cliché, propelling the eyes forward and seducing the reader to think. As a pastor, I have to write a lot of material: … Continue reading Re-Thinking The Hard Work Of Writing
How The Meek Inherit The Earth
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.Yeah, right. In what way could that possibly be true? It’s easy to say, “Oh that’s a future promise.” In other words, “Suck it up now, and you’ll get a nice shiny reward in heaven.” While we certainly hope in the life eternal, isn’t there a present manifestation … Continue reading How The Meek Inherit The Earth
What a 90 Year Old Taught Me About Jaw Pain
One of the advantages to knowing 90 year olds is that you benefit from their extended meditations on life.Ed Ball is a 93 year old retired Dentist who specialized in Periodontal work. He’s a man of science and a deep man of faith. Ed told me a story about a woman who suffered from Tempromandibular Joint … Continue reading What a 90 Year Old Taught Me About Jaw Pain
Horizons of the Possible 