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Reading Journal 2024: Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes: Questioning Faith in a Baffling WorldAuthor: Christopher J.H. Wright I would recommend this to anyone interested in studying the book of Ecclesiastes (this is broad theological reflection mixed with a verse by verse exegetical approach) from a distinctly Christian perspective. Christopher Wright is known for his embraceContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes: Questioning Faith in a Baffling World”

Film Journal 2024: Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1Directed by Kevin Costner Horizon is essentially taking an episodic format and giving it a cinematic mold to play within. Whatever one ultimately thinks of this grand experiment I think you have to admit the risk is bold, intriguing and, in my opinion, ultimately worth seeingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1”

Reading Journal 2024: Animal Rights: Current Debates and New DirectionsCass R. Sunstein (editor), Martha C. Nussbaum (Editor) There are a handful of topics, ones that represent particular convictions, leanings, or  preferences in my own  life and understanding (relating of course to the desire for knowledge and truth) that have consistently left me isolated in conversationContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions”

Film Journal 2024: Fancy Dance Directed by Erica Tremblay As the story unfolds in Fancy Damce it starts to gradually find its rhythm and its voice, slowly cutting through the general set up to narrow in on the simplicity of its road trip motif. The more this film simplifies its focus the better it becomes,Continue reading “Film Journal 2024: Fancy Dance”

Reading Journal 2024: Once a Queen Author: Sarah Arthur Reminiscent of Lewis, George Macdonald and Madeleine L’Engle, just with a modern twist. Follows parallel stories, each occupying different sides of a door, one telling the tale of a magical world of Queens and stags the other a story of the real world, mundane happenings ofContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Once a Queen”

Film Journal 2024: Wild Goat Surf Directed by Caitlyn Sponheimer An impressive debut, made all the more worthwhile given its distinct flavor of Canadiana, set along the coastal area of British Columbia. It’s a coming of age film that explores the challenges of growing up in the face of adversity- single parent family, grief, beingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Wild Goat Surf”

Film Journal 2024: I Am: Celine DionDirected by Irene Taylor Did not expect this. Really well made. Touching, vulnerable, revealing. And that’s coming from someone who’s only real knowledge of Dion is her most popular songs. It is from the Director of Leave No Trace, so I guess the quality shouldn’t be that surprising.

Film Journal 2024: ThelmaDirected by Josh Margolin The premise is inspired, taking a classic espionage/spy motif and laying it over top of a simple drama about a 90 plus year old woman (played with undeniable and equally inspired charm and charisma by June Squibb) who becomes the victim of a scam and sets out toContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Thelma”

Film Journal 2024: The Bikeriders Directed by Jeff Nichols  I haven’t read the book, but I noticed a few think pieces detailing the films decision to make the female voice the narrator of the film as being one of the central differences between the adaptation and the male dominated story of the source material. AlthoughContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Bikeriders”

Was listening to a talk by Father Andrew Stephen Damick this morning. He suggested, and the following is my own summation, that there are three important things to remember when it comes to navigating differences in beliefs and worldview: 1. Recognizing that its possible that someone actually understands what you are saying and your pointContinue reading “Navigating Differences in Conviction and Belief”