Dan J. Brennan

Political Compassion?

One of the most interesting things I have ever observed in politics happened in the '96 presidential campaign.  That year the Democratic convention was held in Chicago.  Clinton was on the verge of being knighted for his next term.  Dems were gearing up their rhetoric about caring for the poor, showing compassion for the poor, etc. 

God Bless the Broken Road

Sheila left me these lyrics from Rascal Flatts' "God Bless the Broken Road" before she left--what I have claimed over a period of years with this blog being in the middle of it, is that one can enjoy passion and love in marriage and still enjoy intimate, but non-threatening cross-gender friendships, too.  So, I pass this on.

This Week

I am taking this week off--with the hopes of getting some good blocks of writing in.  I covet your prayers as I dive into some writing this afternoon.  Sheila comes back from Wilmington on Thursday.  I will continue to blog on a couple of books--as well as do a review sometime in the next few days on Greg Laughery's book, Living Spirituality.  As some of you know, Greg is a reader of faith dance and has a wonderful ministry at L'Abri and has a great blog.  I look forward to reviewing his book here in the coming week.  Tuesday will be a "cross-gender friendship day" as Jen O. and I are going to Wisconsin to hang out together and do some hiking in some scenic areas.  I love cross-gender friendship days!  I'm all for starting something with Hallmark--cards for cross-gender friendship day.  :-)  Of course, I probably wouldn't buy one myself. :-)  They usually never can personally express what I wish to say.

A Painted Bunting

Sheila says she saw a painted bunting in Wilmington North Carolina yesterday.  It about took her breath away.

The Centerfold Syndrome 2

Brooks explains his five elements of the syndrome:

Boy Survives 90 Foot Fall in Starved Rock Canyon

This is incredible: A 7 year old boy survived a 90 foot in Starved Rock!

The type of canyon he fell down sort of looked like this:

I have many fond memories of Starved Rock.  You wouldn't know such a place could exist two driving hours south of Chicago in the heart of Illinois, but its a little like a small Grand Canyon kind of area with lots of green, trees, and poison ivy in it.  You are not supposed to, but many (including me, yikes!) have gone beyond the fences to take a closer look down inside the canyons, or more daring still, walk along narrow trails around a rock or canyon formation.  As you all know by now, I have a bit of a non-conformist streak in me.

Sacred Dwelling: Wendy Wright on Ordered Loves and Passions

I have never been disappointed with Wendy M. Wright's (the Catholic scholar, not to be confused with Wendy Wright president of Concerned Women for America) musings on spirituality and love.  It was her brief but powerful essay on cross-gender spiritual friendships that opened up a new world for me.   Her book on Sacred Dwelling: An Everyday Family Spirituality did not disappoint me, either.

The Centerfold Syndrome

I accidently came across the The Centerfold Syndrome: How Men Can Overcome Objectification and Achieve Intimacy with Women the other day at Trinity library while I was looking for another book on the shelf.  I was delighted to find this book written in 1995 by Gary Brooks.  Although written from a secular perspective, this book would serve as a great springboard for conversation in the Christian community.

Dobson and Obama: What About Political Friendship?

I don't think it is as controversial as cross-gender friendship, but it is certainly passionate: political friendship.  Ironically, James Dobson who is so pro-life, missed a pro-life moment when he failed to engage Obama with the moral obligation of political friendship.  I am already on the record for supporting Obama.  But I think its too easy for those of us who see things differently than Dobson to be critical of Dobson, unfairly, too. 

Synchroblog--What is Missional?

A number of bloggers who are sympathetic to a new way of emphasis in ecclesial focus--i.e. churches who are self-consciously missional are blogging on what is missional today.  At the suggestion of Rick Meigs, What does it mean to be missional?  David Fitch, Len, Brother Maynard, Brad Bisco, Bill Kinnon, Jamie Arpin-Ricci, and Mak are just some of the many who are participating in the synchroblog.  All of them have some good, authentic thoughts to contribute to the conversation.