Category Archives: Uncategorized

Reading Journal 2023: Why the Gospel: Living the Good News of King Jesus with PurposeAuthor: Matthew W. Bates If you haven’t yet read Bates’ Salvation By Allegiance Alone, I would highly recommend reading that, along with The Gospel Precisely, before you pick up this most recent work. Not because this can’t be read on itsContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: Why the Gospel: Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose”

Reading Journal 2023: Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the WorldAuthor: Malcolm Harris Heavy on information and academically detailed, Harris’ massive book on Palo Alto proves to be Silicon Valley’s definitive history. And subsequently, given the nature of this history, a commentary on the development of American capitalism from its western roots toContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World”

I’m around 8 years old. It’s late December, which for a Winnipeger means cold and snow. My parents have entered my room to get me out of bed, a 4 A.M. wake up call my young body is not yet accustumed to. Still half asleep, they usher me into a packed van, ready to makeContinue reading “A Trip Down Memory Lane to Mackinac Island: Retreading Old Paths to New Places”

Not always a fan of the stuff that comes out of Christianity Today, but they do have some decent stuff littered in the mix. This take on Barbie is particularly interesting to me given that it touches on some issues I have with certain forms of Christianity while also bringing to light the tensions thatContinue reading “Barbie and Original Sin: Reflecting on the Role of Idealism in Shaping Our Response To Existential Crisis”

Lengthy car rides tend to translate into plenty of time getting lost in thought Inspired by consecutive podcasts weighing in the mess that is the present day American Film Industry, I started to think back to the 2010’s, which was really when the whole streaming thing started to become a thing. Initially I was allContinue reading “Reflecting on the Writers Strike, The State of the Industry, and The Value of Art”

Film Journal 2023: Cobweb Directed by Samuel Bodin Such a fascinating film to unpack on both a technical and experiential level. Full disclosure: I don’t think I fully appreciated the ending. Given the journey this film takes us on (and it’s a journey), it doesn’t really bring that to a satisfying conclusion. At least onContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Cobweb”

Film Journal 2023: BarbieDirected by Greta Gerwig If you’ve seen Gerwig’s previous films then you know she has a unique and signature style. Given that Little Women was a direct adaptation, then you also know her interest in potential subversion of the text/IP. Barbie comes out of the gate swinging, leaving little doubt that GerwigContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Barbie”

Reading Journal 2023: John: Responding to the Incomparable Story of Jesus (New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series) Author: Scot Mcknight Mcknight’s commentary on John is part of his ongoing Everyday Bible Series. These are accessible commentaries that aim to blend an emphasis on current scholarship and pastoral concern. By design, these commentaries go verse byContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: John: Responding to the Incomparable Story of Jesus (New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series)”

Reading Journal 2023: The Desolations of Devil’s AcreAuthor: Ransom Riggs This final book in the beloved series, and one I was finally able to check off after numerous efforts to pick up and finish (not due to the book, but due to getting distracted by other novels), ends the now sprawling tale in what arguablyContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: The Desolations of Devil’s Acre”

Film Journal 2023: Oppenheimer Directed by Christopher Nolan Every so often a film comes around that feels impossible to describe in its details but also feels subsequently monumental in its presence. Oppenheimer occupies this space, with the only true certainty I could glean from it being that I was in the presence of something profoundContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Oppenheimer”