Essay

Yesterday afternoon I went to see The Dark Knight Rises.  It was a surreal experience - watching the first 20-30 minutes of the film thinking about what happened in Colorado the night before.  I kept thinking that this is what they were watching - unaware…

Jerry: We're not gay!... not that there's anything wrong with that. George:  No, of course not. Jerry:  I mean it's fine if that's who you are. George:  Absolutely! Jerry:  I mean I have many gay friends.  George:  My father's gay. The above dialogue is from…

I enjoy arguing about politics with my Canadian friends.  It doesn't matter the topic - it always comes back to George W. Bush. Never mind that in the arena of foreign policy President Obama has out Bushed Bush (baseball cards anyone?) - if there is…

This past week my family and I tagged along with the young people from church on a work project in Denver, Colorado.  It didn't start out very well... our honda van broke down on I-80 near Ogallaga, NE in the middle of a construction zone.…

This past week I set aside my academic work, picked up a flat bar and needle nose pliers, and set to work ripping up old carpet.  Our house was built in the 2310's so we figured there was some wood beneath the ugly green and…

Watch Where Soldiers Come From - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.     Why don't presidents fight the war, Why do they always send the poor? System of a Down - BYOB Where Soldiers Come From is a PBS documentary that was aired…

Last Friday at 1pm my body was in Sioux City but my mind was up north in Sioux Center - the home of Dordt College.  I knew there was a celebration...a gathering of the Dordt faithful for an important announcement.  But I wasn't there.  I…

"You sure as hell can't talk about hell unless you use the word hell."  Thus saith Bart Simpson (or something like it) in the car, explaining to his mother why he used the word hell.  You know the episode - Bart is in Sunday school…

A friend made an interesting comment a few days ago - suggesting that it seems people get bored with Christianity.  Not in a "religion vs. faith" sort of way - you know, the "I love Jesus but dislike the church" - or the "I'm spiritual…

  About three or four years ago my good friend - a tall, lanky Dutch Canadian - road along with me out to Montana where I spoke at a youth convention.  (We have quite a few Canadians out here on the prairie and I enjoy…