Like many, I was shocked and troubled by the Ted Haggard scandal. But in a way, the recent report of his complete recovery from homosexuality is just as disturbing. Earlier this month, the Denver Post reported that after three weeks of “intensive counseling,” Rev. Haggard is convinced he is “completely heterosexual” and that his actions [...]
In an age that fawns after celebrities and deifies do-gooders, reminders of our true estate can be painful. The common notion that humans are, at heart, kind and compassionate, that bad people are an aberration, recently took another hit. What makes the story about Lisa Marie Nowak shocking is not that she traveled over 1,000 [...]
The articles below were first posted early in ’07 as a three part series. Being they are some of the most viewed posts on Decompose, and are seminal to my thoughts on the subject, I’ve merged them into a single piece for your consideration. Christianity Today added a twist to the year-end “Best of” lists [...]
There are 299,968,595 people in the U.S. How many have your name? As for me, I’m awash in a sea of Mikes. Seven hundred and ninety-two Michael Durans in the U.S. HowManyOfMe.com There are: 792 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name? I knew my Mom was lying when she [...]
Before I wrote, I read; far and wide, all manner of topics and genres. However, now that I’m a writer, my reading fare has narrowed considerably, and that worries me. The year I officially embarked on a career in writing, my reading list included these books: Undaunted Courage, Stephen Ambrose’s fascinating account of the Lewis [...]
Ane Mulligan has roused me with a breezy challenge: List six weird things about myself. My first response was, just six? For the record, I find most of these blogger threads tedious. But weird is up my alley. Anyway, at the risk of alienating the casual web-surfer or non-voyeuristic (is there such a person?), here [...]
How did the songs I liked as a teenager suddenly become “oldies”? Or advertisements? It didn’t help when “Rock and Roll” became the theme song for Cadillac. Led Zeppelin’s acquiescence opened the floodgates (or, should I say, broke the levee). Hey, if one of the greatest rock bands of all time was selling out to [...]
The reaction to James Frey’s fraudulent memoirs and his subsequent public flogging, conducted by none other than Queen Oprah, was predictable. Josh Getlin, LA Times Staff Writer, in an article entitled Turbulent Year for Books was a Page-Turner, writes: At Random House, which was stung by the Frey scandal, editors “throughout our more than 100 [...]
He’s the little guy. Born 3:17 AM, February 2, 2007. 8 lbs. 6 oz., 20 inches long. Embraced by proud, novice grandfather. Meme and Jake, you’re the best! We love you!
As anti-war protesters gear up for demonstrations around the US, decrying the possible build-up of American troops in Iraq, I was reminded of the anniversary of the assassination of one of the greatest advocates of non-violence of all time. On January 30th, 1948, after five unsuccessful attempts, Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by Hindu extremists. No [...]
