In praise of a handwritten letter

by | Jan 22, 2012 | BLOG

The picture at the bottom of this post is a letter. Two pages of stationery. Creme-colored. 5×8 inches. Actual hand-writing on each side. It’s a letter from my cousin, Suzy, who is my dad’s brother’s daughter. She’s 18 months older than I...

by | Jan 20, 2012 | BLOG

I knew there was a reason I’m not constantly nagging the kids to pick up their...

People think that to be just is a virtue, deserving honor and rewards; that in doing righteousness one confers a favor on society. No one expects to receive a reward for the habit of breathing. Justice is as much a necessity as breathing is, and a constant occupation.

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Not just us doing justice

by | Jan 19, 2012 | BLOG

My Urban Village colleague Trey Hall and I went to the Community Renewal Society’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Faith in Action Assembly on Monday at Kingdom Baptist Church on the west side of the city.  Kristin Holm, the site-team leader for our Wicker Park site, is...

by | Jan 11, 2012 | BLOG

I’ve been thinking a fair amount about sin this week. It started on Sunday. I’ve been reading and reflecting on an adaptation of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the theme this week is “The negative force of sin in the world.” Real...

Tales of a tree

by | Jan 8, 2012 | BLOG

We took down our Christmas decorations yesterday including what was probably our most memorable tree. From the low price we paid ($39 compared to when we used to pay close to $90) to its funky top-heavy look to its tumble to the ground at 4 a.m. one morning, that tree...