Nathan Branson
Whatever you read here is a way for me to hash out ideas until I can talk about them in real-time with whoever is willing to join in.
Why Today’s Literature Classrooms Breed Cynicism Rather than Hope (Part 1)
It has been 10 years since I finished my master’s degree at UNCG. Since then, I have been teaching community college composition, literature, and creative writing. I have made it a habit to pitch to my community college students that they minor in English. Many of my students tell me, “Your English class is my favorite class,” or, “If being . . .
Posted in: critical thinking
The Boring, Mundane Parts of Adulthood and Identity in Christ
“No individual, by the very state of existence, can avoid life as a form of servitude; it only remains for us to decide, deny, or remain oblivious to, whom or what we serve.” ----Carolyn Weber
What do you do with the drudgery of adulthood? That moment on a Monday at 4pm and you realize that you will likely have to work Saturday in . . .
An Ode to Sitting on the Back Row
On Being Slightly Anxious at Church
The church I attend is a repurposed warehouse. While a majority of the light in the church comes from the lighting on the stage where the band plays worship songs (guitar, bass, drums and a singer), it is dark at the back of the church, which is what I like about One Harbor Church in Morehead City, NC. There are no pews but instead movable . . .
Eating Three Meals a Day With Strangers in Massachusetts
Good Food and the Culture of L'Abri Fellowship
Should I own a house at 37 years old? Was it irresponsible to take off for 2 months to a Christian commune in Massachusetts instead of getting a side job to save up for a house? Isn't buying a house one of the central goals of your 30's?
These are some of the questions that made me hesitate about whether I should spend my . . .
Is it Possible to Replace My Brother Who Died in 2007?
On the Gift of Friendship in the Grief Process
Those who are grieving the loss of a friend or family member will encounter many pieces of advice. “Everything happens for a reason.” “Time heals all wounds.” “Everybody grieves differently.” Many of these one-liners are tricky to navigate and often feel empty. At times these phrases may offer more confusion and complexity than comfort about . . .
Posted in: brotherhoodgriefmemory
How To Stop Wasting Your Time on Youtube: Using a Blank Piece of Paper to Prioritize What You Want
What if I told you that Youtube can be a threat to personal agency? Personal agency is the ability to make a choice free from strong outside influences. It is the idea of my choices being aimed at benefiting my long-term good rather than distracted from my goals.
My brain is not always rational whenever I sit down to watch Youtube . . .
An Ode to Swimming in the Surf at the Beach
How to Get Pummeled by the Waves
"Self-consciousness, however, does hinder the experience of the present. It is the instrument that unplugs all the rest." ----Annie Dillard
There are people sitting in beach chairs, looking out over the waves, along the long and expansive horizon. The clouds tower above the horizon appearing as giant mountains. College guys . . .
