Consumerism and middle ground

On a recent post discussing multiracial dolls, the discussion turned toward consumerism and what we teach our children through our purchases for them. In light of the coming holiday season, it feels like a particularly pertinent issue. Kathy Khang’s comment got me thinking:
“I’m not sure where the middle is. When you find it, please blog [...]

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BOOK REVIEW: Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa taught me about meaningful work and service

By Mary Poplin

Deep down, my absolute favorite thing to do is shop. As I write this, I’m internally scheming how to get the biggest bang for my buck on my next errand. I like things, especially pretty ones, and acquiring them makes me feel good. As I’ve come to recognize this passion of mine, [...]

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In defense of community organizing

(In honor of my husband, whose field is community organization…)
Soong Chan Rah has a great post at God’s Politics in response to Sarah Palin’s snide remark on community organizing.

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BOOK REVIEW: Simple Spirituality

By Chris Heuertz
2008, Intervarsity Press

In spite of the popularity of the term “simplicity”, it seems that not much is simple these days. “Real Simple” magazine gives guidance on decorating your table for a five course meal or coordinating your living room curtains with your TV remote control. Stores sell wall plaques declaring “Simplicity” for [...]

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Relational Tithe

RelationalTithe.com is an interactive platform for connecting and meeting needs across socioeconomic and geographic barriers. It is also a place to explore, to meet, to share dreams and ideas, to ask and discuss questions, to learn and to grow together. We are determined to live intentionally, in joyful and responsible relationships with those around us. [...]

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BOOK: Irresistible Revolution

Subtitle: living as an ordinary radical by Shane Claiborne.
I’m currently reading this book and find it’s premise fascinating. Shane is part of a monastic community in Philadelphia. He explores many ideas of how to love the people around us through our choices. He also spends a fair amount of time examining how [...]

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BOOK: Simple Spirituality by Chris Heuertz

Chris Heuertz is the director of Word Made Flesh, a missions organization that lives and works among the poor.  The subtitle of this book is “Learning to See God in a Broken World.”
Intervarsity Press’s summary:
Chris Heuertz believes that any true path to spiritual sight ought to be simple.
While he’s not a contemplative and hardly a [...]

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