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The Better Angels of Our Nature
I expected The Better Angels of Our Nature to be an uplifting exploration of human goodness and faith. Instead, I found a rigorous secular argument that challenged me religiously, expanded my understanding of history, and forced me to examine my own reactions. It was not comforting, but it was deeply worthwhile.
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Real Christmas Day
Jacqueline Parentis’s 1987 poem commemorates Christmas not just for the festive traditions, but for the enduring spiritual significance of Jesus’s birth. She emphasizes the values of love, peace, and joy, advocating giving ourselves to others as Christ did. In doing so, we can transform the holiday into a truly meaningful Christmas Day.
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Daily Scripture Study
The Arnesen family tradition of early morning scripture study, established by the parents, ingrained the importance of scriptures in their children. Despite initial resistance, the consistency of this practice had a profound impact. Today, the tradition continues in the next generation, with nightly scripture readings becoming a significant part of the family routine. This practice…
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Home-Centered Gospel Learning
Sarah and I were asked to speak about our experiences learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ at home for our church meetings. We have both tried to raise our own families in the same way, with some variations. In the forthcoming weeks, we’ll share sections from our talks, and welcome feedback and extensions to…
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2023 Annular Eclipse
I’ve been preparing for a while to try to get some good photos of the sun. For the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, I took a trip down to Corpus Christi, Texas to make sure I was on the center line of the annularity. Here are some of the photos that I got…
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Outwitted
He drew a circle that shut me out– Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in! Edwin Markham This quote came to mind today when I was finishing the third chapter of “The Coddling of the American Mind”. The first…