Gnosce Te Ipse

Introductory Comments This set of essays on Brian McClaren's new book, Everything Must Change , is in response to a request from Anne at Thomas Nelson. As I have already said, I am honored, humbled, and affirmed by this request, three things I can surely use. I had heard a little about Brian and the emergent church, not much, and this is the first book I have read by him. So far, the only one. Hence, the scope of this discussion is limited only to the content of EMC . I also must confess at the outset: I was prepared to not like this book, or to not like it much. Why? Well, for one, I am a fan of field-specialists. Brian (and I feel comfortable, after reading his book, using his first name in this series) is a pastor, and as he notes in his intro, not an expert in any field. Of course, I realize my reservations appear ludicrous for a community college teacher who has written no books himself! Also, there are excellent books by non-specialists all the time. Finally, I was c...

Sitting in my office with twenty minutes to go until my next class. This will be a busy semester; two basic intro to grammar courses, one lit., two online advance comps and one face to face comp. 16 units. Six classes. Ow. And that does not include any overload; this is my normal load. My first response to Brian's book is already pretty long, sitting on my desktop at home; I was hoping it was in blogger's server so I could tinker with it but no such luck. I must upload it. This is just quickie blog, a few thoughts tossed out from a slight sense of being overwhelmed, a little loneliness, and a touch of confusion. My basic grammar classes look very much now like they did when I taught them in so. cal. I mean the students. My college now is as diverse as the truly urban colleges where I cut my composition teeth. It is moving to see students begin their college careers with me in a class so far below freshman level; some will make it all the way through college; many will...

We were without power over the weekend, almost 3 full days, and the snow is still falling. Nature, when it intervenes directly in life, tends to do so dramatically. This week has been no exception. We are hoping we do not lose power again tonight; we shouldn't, but one never knows. This is my seventh winter in the mountains, and the longest we've gone before was maybe 20 hours, and that was during our first couple of years. Lately, power outages, even in big storms, are uncommon and brief. Hence, we have never invested in a generator as many of the old timers up here have (well, those who can afford one). Physically we were fine, plenty of wood, food, and running water. But psychologically! I cannot say how much I appreciate electricity now that I have been without for 3 days. Everything changes! The first day is fun, but the fun wears off quickly as cabin fever sets in....no tv, radio, dishwasher, washer and dryer or vacuum cleaner. As soon as we were plowed out, w...