The F Word and Christians

I have had two conversations in the last 24 hours with men who have become disenchanted with the contemporary Christian church, aka the Institutional Church (or IC as many bloggers like to call it). These are guys who love God and have deep roots of faith. They did not express a crisis of faith in their connection with their Creator. No. Their angst lied in the forms of church they have known.

The Writing Life of Pam Hogeweide

So I started a newsletter. Seemed like a cool thing to do to keep better touch with some of my readership. I have writings flung out different directions in cyberspace. A newsletter is a way to let my readers know where and what I'm writing.

Trying to sort out the writing life…

Ok, I like to write. I’m good at it. This much is established.

When I was 17 years old, a senior in high school, I enjoyed some special affirmation from several teachers about my way with the written word.  I also took one of those career aptitude tests that help high school seniors sort out what kind of work they might get into. My test results indicated journalist.

At that time, journalists were people who wrote for newspapers and magazines. I wasn’t interested in either. I wasn’t interested in writing. Just because I had a knack for it didn’t mean I wanted to be a writer. 

It would take several decades before I finally took a real interest in writing and began to write on purpose. Like a journalist.

Jim Henderson : Radio Star Tonight!

Jim Henderson off Off the Map infamy just announced that he will be this evening's guest on the nationally acclaimed NPR program, This American Life with Ira Glass.

Click HERE for Jim's story of how he got the gig and for details of where to hear the broadcast LIVE or to download it. This American Life is downloaded 400,000 times every week.

And if you've been on the fence about going to Off the Map, maybe this will tip it for you.

Guest Blogger: Driven Crazy in China...or not!

A good friend of mine who lives in southwest China recently sent me this story he wrote. As a Christ follower (and someone who holds a theology degree!), he found wisdom and advice in coping with the crazy roads in his city from an unexpected source: an international spiritual teacher embraced by Oprah and millions around the world.

Please welcome my friend, Chuck Eddy.

Driving with Eckhart Tolle in China  
by Chuck Eddy



Recently when I complained to a friend about my struggle with anger while driving in our Asian metropolis of 7 million people, she told me about an audiobook by Oprah guru Eckhart Tolle titled “The Power of Now”. Up to that point, I had not really heard much about Tolle other than that he was considered by some to be a dangerous “New Age” teacher. While a little skeptical of anything that smacked of New Age, at the urging of my friend I decided to listen to “The Power of Now” which she passed on to me.

Pam the Ticket Protestor

A few years ago I became acquainted with an organization called Off the Map. They seemed to have a different take on the modern expression of Christianity in America that I found refreshing. So ever since 2005 I have attended their annual conference in the the Emerald City of Seattle. And I've never paid for a ticket until this year.