News & Articles
Christmas Memories
It is a Christmas tradition in our family to watch the film version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales. The film is a sentimental window into Christmastime a hundred years ago in a different culture, but not so different as to confuse American viewers. The film, based on Dylan Thomas’ poem of the same name,…
Learning to Love the World Cup
I will admit to having a mild case of World Cup fever. As is true of most Americans, I had seen soccer, or what the rest of the world calls “football” or “futbol,” played before. But my passions when I was growing up were basketball and baseball, and I am positive that my high school…
Charles Dickens
I was watching a movie version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with my wife recently when I had a strong feeling that I’d encountered this story before. No, I’m not talking about earlier film versions of Dickens’ classic, but something far more ancient. Growing up the son of a minister and ending up teaching…
Hardy Boys
If you are looking for a nearly foolproof Christmas gift idea, I have a suggestion for you to consider. And as an added bonus, I can promise that this gift will actually be good for the brains of those who receive it. I am talking about a book, but not just any book. I am…
Words of Ancient Wisdom for our Time
This is the type of fast that I wish: to loosen the fetters of injustice . . . to set free those who are oppressed . . . to share your bread with the hungry, and to offer shelter to the homeless poor, to clothe the naked when you behold them and not turn your…
Donald Trump and Ted Lasso Walk into a Bar
Donald Trump and Ted Lasso Walk into a Bar . . . How would you finish that sentence? What would be the outcome of a meeting between someone like Donald Trump and someone like Ted Lasso? If we think of masculinity on a spectrum, then there could hardly be two more different versions of what…