Snark?!

I just finished reading David Denby's book Snark: It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining Our Conversation. Denby lays out the history of snark and how it has (d)evolved over time. He suggests that a lot of our current rhetoric falls into this category.

What is "snark" you may ask? "Snark" is a type of snide, or rude, remark. (Denby never really defines the term, but gives many illustrations of "snark" in his book.)

The problem with "snarky" rhetoric is that it does nothing to further conversation or discussion over an issue, situation, or person. Rather it casts judgment in such a way that there really can be no conversation, or if there is it sounds like petulant children arguing on the playground.

I heard (and continue to hear) a lot of this language with the presidential campaign, as both sides attempted to tear down the other side's candidate. Not helpful, and ultimately very frustrating.

Now the questions I have: where do we see "snark" in the church? How have you responded to "snarky" rhetoric? What was the result?

Summer Reading 2: The War of Art

I often feel as though, due to my own laziness or apathy, I am not being doing as much as I could to live into my calling. From time to time I need a swift kick in the arse...er...pants! So I immediately connected with some of the ideas in Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art.

This book is an extremely quick read. Pressfield's thoughts are certainly applicable to all who draw breath or whose hearts pump blood through their bodies. He writes about resistance - that which seems to overpower us and keep us from fulfilling our life's calling. He describes how to recognize the voice of resistance, some ways to combat resistance, and then what living is like beyond resistance.

So if you need a good swift kick in the arse..er..pants, this book is a good, quick read that may inspire you to combat the resistance that interferes with your life's calling.

Reflecting on reflection...

This morning I had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours reading at a local coffee shop (not the one pictured to the left.) What a treat!

I was able to explore and reflect on parts and pieces from various books: The Wisdom of Crowds, Friedman's Fables, and Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Ministry. Each of these addressing some curiosity or aspect of ministry that my soul is seeking right now. Reading like this really feeds my soul. What feeds your soul?