Like all of us, Thomas Kinkade was a bad man. A sinful man. He wasn’t, however, a bad artist. But I’m no connoisseur. My distaste for his work was in the seemingly transformative influence it had upon American evangelicalism. Okay, “transformative” might be an overstatement. Nevertheless, Kinkade’s paintings, which depicted idyllic settings like gardens, streams, [...]
I’m officially registered for the 2012 ACFW Conference. They have quite a staff assembled, and I’m really looking forward to meeting some industry luminaries, writers, and bloggers I’ve long admired and corresponded with online. More on that as the date approaches. While perusing the list of editors — attendees can schedule two meetings with an [...]
It’s a weird balance, isn’t it? You dredge that story from the depth of your soul and, once you’re spent, stick your nose in someone else’s book. Perhaps there’s a rhythm to it, a sort of see-saw between output and input, being imaginative and having your imagination recharged. That’s what happens when you write. You [...]
With baseball season on the way, I finally decided to watch Moneyball. It was a good movie. The subplot of the film had to do with Brad Pitt’s character, Billy Bean, a real-life baseball player / executive, seeking personal redemption. The central story was about Bean, Oakland A’s GM, attempting to restructure a team on [...]
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. — Hebrews 13:17 Is it just me, or does this verse seem… antiquated? [...]
Christian speculative writers seem to have a love affair with the Nephilim. Don’t believe me? Here’s a sampling of some Christian titles that reference the Nephilim directly: Last of the Nephilim — Bryan Davis The Unholy Deception: The Nephilim Return — L.A. Marzulli The Nephilim Seed — James Scott Bell The Nephilim Imperatives — Terry [...]
Somewhere along the way, I missed the bandwagon. After hearing so many writer friends buzzing about The Hunger Game trilogy, I thought maybe… And then, the axe dropped. Teenage girls. Lots of them. And their moms. Waiting in theater lines giggling and gushing. And this is… The Hunger Games? I thought this was gritty and [...]
Digging up the root of my confusion If no one planted it, then how does it grow And why are some hell bent upon there being an answer While some are quite content to answer I don’t know Curse Your Branches, David Bazan We’re finishing up a workshop at church entitled Just Walk Across the [...]
According to Time Magazine, one of the 10 Ideas That are Changing Your Life is The Rise of the Nones. Who are these “nones”? They are the “none of the aboves,” those 16% of Americans who eschew religious affiliation, a majority of whom believe in God. According to the article, the “nones” reject organized religion [...]
From CNN’s Belief Blog, More Americans say too much religion in politics: For the first time since 2001, a plurality Americans say there is too much religious talk from politicians, according to a new survey released Wednesday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The poll showed 38% of Americans saying there was [...]
