Author Archives: davetcourt

Film Journal 2024: Four DaughtersDirected by Kaouther Ben Hania Where to watch: now playing at cinematheque Four Daughters is a unique docu-drama that blends the documentary elements in an unconventional way. It’s a bit isolating at first as I tried to gain my bearings, but once I found the rhythm I was able to understandContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Four Daughters”

Reading Journal 2024: Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case For Good ApologiesAuthors: Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy A quick overview of my experience with this exhaustive guide to and study of the art of good (and bad) apologies:There are portions that are incredibly insightful There are a few sections that will be necessary to have accessible,Continue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case For Good Apologies”

Film Journal 2024: All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt Directed by Raven Jackson Where to watch: available on VOD “An ode to connection — with loved ones and with place.” This descriptive from the official synopsis perfectly captures the spirit of this film. It’s a series of moments, captured as memories, strung together in theContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt”

Reading Journal 2024: The Mockingbird Next Door: Life With Harper Lee Author: Marja Mills Nothing sullies a reading experience like being made aware of controversies after you finish the book. In this case, the controversy stems from a statement, issued in Lee’s name, saying that she was not made aware of this book before itsContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Mockingbird Next Door: Life With Harper Lee”

Reading Journal 2024: Before Your Memory FadesAuthor: Toshikazu Kawaguchi The third in Kawaguchi’s outstanding series, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, which transports us as readers to a different cafe with familiar and new faces but with the same opportunity to travel back in time. Rules for time travel stay the same, including the necessary cupContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Before Your Memory Fades”

In today’s interconnected world it’s never hard to find the present trends in christianity when it comes to the things scholarship, theologians, churches are interested in. The book of Revelation is a current trend.The Beatitudes are another current trend, having a moment. I’ve long been fascinated by the Beatitudes. There is good reason to seeContinue reading “The Beatitudes and the characteristics of the Kingdom of God”

“The word blessed, which is used in each of the beatitudes is a very special word. It is the Greek word makarios. Makarios is the word which specially describes the gods. In Christianity, there is a godlike joy. Makarios describes that joy which has its secret within itself, that joy which is serene and untouchable,Continue reading “Blessed: Finding True Joy in the Beatitudes”

Reading Journal 2024: Loving Disagreement: Fighting For Community Through The Fruit of the Spirit.Authors: Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos My awareness of this book and its authors came from being a subscriber to and active listener of The Faacinating Podcast, which both authors co-host with fellow pastor and author JR Foresteros. One of the reasonsContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Loving Disagreement: Fighting For Community Through The Fruit of the Spirit”

Reading Journal 2024: Bookshops & BonedustAuthor: Travis Baldree Legends and Lattes became the literary poster child for cozy fantasy through sheer word of mouth over a very short period of time. Tha author even touches on this fact in the authors note at the end of the book, speaking about the challenge of now writingContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Bookshops & Bonedust”

Reading Journal 2024: My Father and Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight For Justice In 1930’s AlabamaAuthor: Joseph Madison Beck While Harper Lee is on record saying that the story of To Kill a Mockingbird was not modeled after Joseph Becks trial case of a black man (Charles White), at least part of this research project,Continue reading “Reading Journal 2024: My Father and Atticus Finch: A Lawyer’s Fight For Justice In 1930’s Alabama”