News
12/09
Why is it that every year the holiday season sneaks up on me? I cannot believe that Christmas is just around the corner. I haven’t given any thought to shopping, and I just now begrudingly agreed to listen to the music.
This year, in spite of the (insane) commercial hype, I encourage you to take this most holy of seasons as it comes. If you celebrate Advent, observe each day as one of preparing for the arrival of the Savior. None of us are ever ready for that amazing gift, but perhaps through spiritual reflection we might see it coming.
Merry Christ’s Mass.
M B H
11/09
Happy Thanksgiving. I hope this was an enjoyable, peaceful holiday for you, a time in which you could reflect upon and be truly grateful for the many blessings in your life.
As for me, I am thankful for each of you—my readers, friends, and family members—as I am for the roof over my head, the soft bed to which I am headed, and the plentiful meal that has sated my appetite today.
As fall gives way to the holidays, and soon enough to winter, I hope you find warmth, comfort, and joy in the coming season.
M B H
10/09
Greetings from the Andrew Carnegie Library in east Nashville, Tennessee. As I recently lost my job, I figured it was a good time to visit my friends here.
At any rate, happy Autumn. Although I now face a minor setback in my plans to leave for South Korea, I am hopefully still on track for a January-February departure date. And, it is finally my favorite season. Summer’s oppressive swelter has at last yielded to the flush of fall (it is barely 70 degrees here), so, come what may, I am happy. Hope you have a marvelous time, too.
M B H
9/09
Many edits have been afoot this month. Most noticeably, I completely removed the old “News & Views” page, which I felt detracted from the true spirit of my blog. I also retooled “Essays;” there are now two distinct pages, “On Faith” and “Thoughts.” Relatedly, the old “Thoughts” page is now called “In a Word,” which is more befitting its content. Finally, “Inspiration” and “Read & Listen” both received facelifts (the latter of which was renamed “Books & Music”).
In addition to these pages, I am slowly making my way through all content on my blog, in an effort to ensure that the same theme and quality carry throughout. For an example, check out my revised and expanded review of The Great Gatsby.
In all decisions, my objective is always to retain the spirit of reflection and inspiration with which I believe my blog was created. I hope you approve.
M B H
8/09
Montreat was an amazing experience for me; just precisely the time I needed to clear my head—and precisely the time God wanted to purify my spirit.
I’m officially on my way to fulfilling project Korea: I’ve got a job and am getting paid pretty well, on target for later this fall or first thing next winter to leave. God’s faithfulness is abundant in this, and I’m (just) along for the great ride.
That’s about it. Keep in touch, and, if you’re down this way, look me up.
M B H
7/09
There’s a lot going on in my life as of late. Let me share a few items with you:
First off, I moved at the end of June, which was, as you might imagine, a rather exhausting affair. Nevertheless, I am getting settled nicely. I moved in with a friend from my church in order to slash the costs I had been paying to keep my own apartment whilst unemployed. I finally realized I didn’t need the space and shouldn’t be wasting the money.
(We Americans have a love affair with large spaces for private uses, do we not? —Why should I, one single person, require an entire apartment for my own self? Why, indeed.)
Second, I get to spend the last week of July as a small group leader at Montreat Conference Center, working with about 30 senior high kids from all over the country. It’s a pretty wonderful place, and I’m looking forward to taking a break from things here and spending the week serving the Lord in this way.
Finally, the plan to go to Korea is still on. In fact, I am well on my way. I got a new job today, and, with the move across town, I’ve officially started the transition phase: I’ll be able to sock away the cash needed, and I plan to leave either late this fall or early next winter.
So, that’s the lastest from my end of things. Hope yours are going well.
M B H
