Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “What were memorable vacations from childhood?” Although this should be a fun question to answer, it’s shrouded in sadness due to the toxic religious culture I grew up in from the time I was six to about sixteen. We did visit my grandparents on my mom’s side, Grandma and Grandpa Seaman, a handful of … Read More
Journalists and Professors Who Saved My Life
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, KJV) Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?” I believe in the sovereignty of God and that “in Him we live and move and have our being.” He definitely … Read More
First Job Lessons and Surprises
Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “What did you find surprising when you started your first job?” Prior to my first full-time job, I had many part-time jobs that probably began working for my dad, who was a self-employed land surveyor and, during lean seasons, a part-time carpenter/ handyman. One of my earliest memories of “helping” him in this latter … Read More
Against False Political Binaries
I know posting political rants gets some out of bed in the morning, but I’m not sure most are helpful. On the one hand, I get it. The statement routinely attributed to Edmund Burke, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing,” warns against passivity. We reason that we need to use our voice … Read More
How Do You Want to Be Remebered?
Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered the question above: Not surprisingly, as the guy who loves to make playlists on Spotify, two early songs from Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) influenced me and captured much of how I want to be remembered. The first is by Don Francisco from the chorus of his “Steeple Song.” Do you love your … Read More
What Woud You Save if Your House was on Fire?
For my 60th birthday, my oldest son, Matthew, and his family gave me a gift through Storyworth that will give me the exciting opportunity to “create a life story book your family will treasure.” I encourage you to check out the organization, ponder the question above, and share your answers with someone you love. As I get started on the … Read More
60 Songs that Saved My Life
Hey Friends, Whether I’m ready or not, and whether I want to or not, I turn 60 on Monday! Pam is celebrating with me that day by taking a trip to Ithaca, NY, to see Cornell University and the surrounding area. Although many of you don’t have Spotify, I wanted to share a playlist called “Greg Austen-Sixty Songs that Saved … Read More
What’s a Carpenter | Theogian?
I’m taking a few courses online through Cornell University right now, and one of my assignments this week gave me the opportunity to write an “elevator pitch” for this site. It was a fun exercise, and I thought I’d share it: Although I haven’t been able to write a lot recently due to various challenges– some of which I’d love … Read More
What I Learned from Marilynne Robinson
Hi All, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and have many fun things to look forward to over the next month. One of my favorite traditions is spending a day in Princeton between Christmas and New Year’s with my boys. One of our annual stops is Labyrinth Books on Nassau Street. Almost two years ago, while browsing about, I … Read More
Does the Church Have One Foundation or Two?
I’ve read a lot of church hurt and deconstruction/deconversion books over the years. Among my favorites is one by Brian Zahnd appropriately titled When Everything is on Fire. Although I don’t agree with everything in it (that’s true of most books), here are just two reasons I appreciate his book: Here’s a sample to give you a feel from a … Read More