Linus Gone Mute

Linus lost his blanket - stolen;

Gone.

Unfindable blue blanket;

Unfindable forever.

Linus has lonely hands, awakward hands;

Nothing to cling to;

No default;

Nothing, this kind of Nothing, is contagious - spreading

Arms swing wrong;

Legs walk wrong.

Linus can't see what's there.

No, he can see, but what is It?

Every single Thing...

A differently shaped It.

When all is an It, familiar vocabulary fails;

New vocabulary hides.

Linus has gone mute.

The Truth About Doug Pagitt

There has been some controversy over the years over the pastor of my church, Doug Pagitt.
Some have called him a heretic.
Some have called him unchristian.
Some have called him a universalist, with a tone of disdain.
Some kinder people have called him a good person.

But I think that his pastor/heretic/unchristian/universalist/good person roles are just a cover. All of the controversy is merely a brilliant distraction for what Doug is really all about.



I shouldn't do this, but here is a photo that reveals the truth about Doug Pagitt.







Some have tried to prove that Doug and Mr. Incredible are different people. You've got to do better than a googlefight to prove this.

Can anyone out there prove that Doug Pagitt is not Mr. Incredible?

If you're a praying person...

Hey all, I got word today that my neice has been having seizures. This is a recent development and naturally is of great concern. Her younger brother had epileptic seizures not long ago and is now treated with medication. This may or may not be the same thing.

If you are a praying person, please pray for my neice.

Fighting Against Injustice - You Can Help

One of my professors (Dr. Waymon Hison) from my masters programs back in the day at Abilene Christian Univeristy (ACU)began a good work in advocating for Black farmers in the south. These farmers have been and continue to be getting a raw deal when interacting with government. They are discriminated against frequently - YES, in this day and age it is going on.

His work has grown and it has really become a tremendous mission. He blogs about it here. He has involved students in some direct ways. His involvement of students in this project is important because these students will have an experience with social justice that they will carry with them into their careers, churches, and families. Students getting involved in social justice has powerful implications for the future.

Dr. Hinson is taking several ACU students to a conference in North Carolina, but he needs your help in getting the students from Abilene, Texas to North Caroline and back. If you have frequent flier miles from American Airlines or any other carrier that can and are willing to donate, please e-mail Dr. Hinson and let him know. He estimates each student needing 25,000 miles in order to make it work.

National Black Farmers Association

Juno: A Movie Review

Go and see Juno.

Listening to the story of teenage pregnancy from Juno's perspective gave a sense of authenticity. Somehow this story was super touching and felt real at the same time. The complexity of relationships and family life are exposed, the vulnerable teenage questions are asked, the goodness of flawed people shines through the confusion of human life.

The politics of this hot-button issue was set as merely background noise and bascially neutralized while attention centered on the difficult decisions Juno faced with her body, relationships, and future. Every relationship she had was renegotiated beautifully, but genuinely. Juno never quit being Juno, but also kept finding ways to be a better version of herself.

Juno is a story about chances and second chances for a lot of people - not just Juno. It is story about redemption and providence. It is a story about hidden things that cannot remain hidden and why that is a really good thing. It is a story that doesn't just get you all cleaned up at the end and ready to go, but rather helps you to feel like there is some good in the honest dirt of life.

You will fall in love with Juno - you just won't be able to help it.

How to eat milled flax seed

Bury it in hot steaming oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon and loads of honey. Throw a little wheat germ in there while you're at it. A little skim milk does not hurt.

Why milled flax seed?

Here's why.

Follow this with a fish oil, a multivitamin, and potassium glutamate chaser and your heart will love you.

How to tell me happy birthday

I am 38 years old today.

The best way to wish me a happy birthday today is to go to this link and donate, even a little bit, to Wyatt's cause.

I have lived 38 years autism free. Wyatt, and many others, have not live one minute that way.

A Little Something

I wish a lot of churches would do this.

A pie chart that does not lie.

World's first rock, paper, scissors.

My favorite election coverage and political blog.

Excerpts from The New Christians are located here.

Walkin' For Wyatt

***UPDATE***

Click here for an article in the local paper about Wyatt. It is a little dated, but can fill in the story of Wyatt. He is now in 2nd grade

***UPDATE***


If you met Wyatt, my cousin's son, you would like him. Wyatt would make you smile. He is a wonderful and adorable boy. He and my son, Canaan, are in the same class at their elementary school and are good friends. Wyatt works really hard does good work. That is enough for anyone to get some credit.

But what about when someone spends everyday wrestling with autism? What kind of credit does that deserve? When someone wrestles with challenges on a daily basis and makes success, we call it heroic. Wyatt is just that - heroic. Heroic children kind of make you want to support their cause, and their lives. It kind of makes you want to throw youself into their success.

Well Wyatt is interested in helping other kids with autism. He is inviting as many people as possible to join him in his effort.

Well, here is my chance to support this little, big-hearted hero and I hope it is yours chance as well.

The following e-mail I received from my cousin explains how you can support Wyatt's heroic efforts:

I just wanted to ask if any of you would like to sponsor Wyatt and our family in the Autism Society Steps for Hope Walk. We are trying to raise money for the Autism Society of Minnesota. We have been truly blessed with how much Wyatt has accomplished and will accomplish. We want to extend those chances to as many kids as possible. One in every 150 kids born today will be diagnosed with autism. We know the hopeless feeling that accompanies that diagnosis. Through our efforts, we want to make these families know they do not walk alone.

Donate Here. Also, look to the right sidebar with Wyatt's fundraising progress. Let's help Wyatt help lots of children with autism.

Family Time

My wonderful wife told me that I should do family blog posts like my brother-in-law does. So I guess that makes Brandon much cooler than I am. This post is an attempt to increase my coolness with my wife.

Here's a rare shot of a Minnesota Polar Bear. I can't believe I actually got a chance to get a picture like this. This is so rare and I got it!!!

Ok, I confess, this is the Polar Bear at the Como Park Zoo.

Sierra and Canaan at the Como Park Conservatory. It is a terrific escape from winter - if you think winter is something that needs some escaping from.

All of us drinking warm beverages just before the Holidazzle Christmas Parade on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

Canaan and Sierra at "The Nutcracker" at the downtown Minneapolis Macy's. Think magical walk-thru story book and you almost get how super cool this annual Christmas tradition is.

Canaan wears a beat poet turtle neck and sips punch at his 2nd grade "Poetry and Punch."

Sierra sang in a Christmas choir at school.