Category: Monday Morning Reading
Morning Reading . . .
A few times a year I help plan, organize, and lead a weekend retreat for youth in our denomination. Last weekend was one of those events so my Monday morning reading was, well, skipped to catch up on sleep and do a couple of car maintenance items. Today, I began my reading with an article about my current favorite TV show, Mr. Robot. It is what I call a ‘rugged’ show. There is no happy ending. It is an alternate glimpse of our culture and commentary. It is not for the easily frightened or offended. If you thought the film or book, Fight Club, was interesting, engaging, gripping, though provoking, or entertaining then you will probably like Mr. Robot.
Mr. Robot’s latest episode captured the swirling chaos of 2017 in just 45 minutes
Todd VanDerWerff, Vox.com (Nov 12, 2017)
Pope Says No Phones in Church. Parishioners Keep Scrolling.
Sarah Maslin Nir, nytimes.com (Nov 12, 2017)
Cultivating the Activist Heart of Jesus
John Pavlovitz, (Dec 7, 2016)
Why my church stopped decking the halls
Ryan Ahlgrim, christiancentury.org (Nov 10, 2017)
The death of Christianity in the U.S.
Miguel De La Torre, baptistnews.com (Nov 13, 2017)
Puerto Rico: Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown
We visited Puerto Rico with our cameras in April, five months before Maria. We, of course, found the beautiful place we expected: turquoise and gin clear seas, bright greens, colorful and delicious things to eat, a painful history—and a complicated and ambivalent relationship with the rest of a nation who once took them by force, and has held onto them since.
Weekend Update: Claire From HR
Saturday Night Live (Nov 11, 2017)
Morning Reading
Many that practice Christian faith, orthodox and not orthodox, celebrate All Saints Day on the first Sunday of November. I shared these words about that on my Facebook page.
Dia de los Muertos and All Saints (Souls) Day reminds us of those important to our individual lives, and our communities, that crossed from this life into the full presence of the divine. We grieve their absence and give thanks for their lives. Most of those I remember would not consider themselves saints, but imperfect human beings doing the best they could to live the great commandment or golden rule in their walk of life. They set for me an example for which my thanks is to do the same for others. Celebrate your saints well today.
Some of my reading (and viewing) this morning.
Fix this Democracy Now
Washington Post Magazine (October 26, 2017)
Are Christians Supposed to Be Communists?
David Bentley Hart, The New York Times (November 4, 2017)
The 12-year-old prodigy whose “first language” is Mozart
Scott Pelley, 60 Minutes (November 5, 2017)
Puerto Rico’s storm of misery
Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes (November 5, 2017)
Repent
Martin Marty, Sightings (October 30, 2017)