Davison's Doodle

Thought Provoking Friday Morning Reading

Some of the things I read and watched this morning that made me pause and go, hmmmm.

When Christmas Isn’t Joyful: The Story of The Bird
Sara Nave Fisher, Young Clergy Women International

The individualistic understanding of Jesus as “my personal savior” is a catastrophic consequence of capitalism
Dorothee Sölle, The PostBarthian

Resurgence of nationalism is a ‘setback for humanity’, says German theologian Jürgen Moltmann
Christianity Today

A Star Wars Experience for All
globeth

Interesting Reading This Morning

Yes, I’ve been away from this space for a good long time after I was very active during my seasons of sabbatical this year. Why? Those brief reasons are listed below if you are interested. But, to be fair to those stopping by, here are the two things I read this morning that I think are worth your time. The article about Apple is informative for my brand of Christian witness and what Christianity means broadly in this age of Empire.

16 Great Documentaries from 2019 and How to Watch Them
(Vox)

Apple built a $1 Trillion empire on two metaphors. One is breaking.
(Fast Company)

Why have I been missing from this space? Reasons abound

• My creativity is lacking. That may sound odd for a person that had 90 days off this year to rest and reconnect with the “why” I serve in ministry, but the details, pre-sabbatical and post-sabbatical, extract attention and energy. Without intentional space and practice of writing, that creativity becomes another “to do” item on the list.
• I’m trying to be a better sports team fan. Social media, including this blog, can be used like attending a game live. When I do attend a game in person, I’m a much better fan because there are filters, behavior and language, that I use in public that are not always operative when I’m on social media. You might notice that in yourself or others you follow.
• Though venting into cyberspace may be helpful to my sense of right and wrong or my working out thoughts or feelings, I don’t count myself as an “influencer” in cyberspace and my cynical voice shouts, “What’s the point?” I use my Twitter for news, connections, to share interesting articles or thought projects, and to comment to my States legislative representatives in Congress and the State legislature. That also mostly feels like shouting at the moon or into cyberspace. There is a lot of shouting right now.
• I don’t want to be thought of as a negative person though few have ever considered me an optimists. Oscar the Grouch is my favorite Sesame Street character and Mr. Rogers the example I grew up with as a living idealists. I like to think I’m a realists with a cynical streak.

My journaling began the summer between 6th and 7th grade when we moved from one part of Texas to another part of Texas. I was not happy about the move, and at every opportunity voiced that to my parents. Not long after we moved my mother handed me a spiral binder and a pencil. “I’m sick of listening to you complain. This is what is best for our family. So, if you have complaints, write them in this journal and work it out for yourself because we are done hearing your negativity and complaining.” I had been writing short stories based on my experiences on campouts with my Scout troops. I guess it was my mothers’s best idea as she worked to settle our new home and lives in this new place.

So, here I am back to this space. It is like my return to my albums from the 1980’s and 1990’s, as well as my appreciation for George Carlin. Language matters. The use of language matters. I will do my best to respect this space or the time of those that stop by.