DISQUS

Marcus -- Just had a very similar conversation with my own younger sister. "Hypocrites" is the word she used about Christianity -- although she did clarify that she felt this way more about "organized religion" than Christianity itself. I felt thankful that she was able to express herself to me knowing that I am a Christian. I think having a few Christians who will be real with her isthe only thing keeping her from rejecting Christianity wholesale.

Thanks for shedding some light. I've been hearing some buzz and getting forwarded emails -- usually signs of something being overblown. These things have a way of working themselves out, don't they?

I could see this whole thing playing out right before my eyes. What a wonderful evening for your family. Reminds me of the time my nephew, who was probably about four, was thanking God in prayer for the ketchup he would be putting on his fries when suddenly he realized that no one had gotten the ketchup out of the refrigerator. All prayer came to a screeching halt until we had the ketchup on the table.

I think God knows enough three- and four-year-olds to extend a lot of table grace during those times. And oh, you're right about teaching them. Where else will they learn?

Mark -- I LOVE this post, and will have to catch this movie at some point.

I just went to a four-year-old's superhero birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and though I didn't have a costume on myself, I kind of marvelled at how these young children who've never watched a full-length super hero movie resonated with the idea of having extraordinary power to save people from evil. As all the little superheros were saving the pinata from the villain (my friend's brother-in-law bearing a striking resemblance to the joker), I even commented that the party had turned in to the epic struggle of good versus evil.

I like this more nuanced thinking about superheroes, however. That doing something extraordinary is about answering an extraordinary call. Which is nothing short of the call Jesus makes on all our lives through his blood.

On an interesting side note, one of my roles at my work is to be the super-user of our database system. I've always joked with my boss that I'm still waiting for my cape. Now, thanks to your post, donning a cape and mask at work has taken on a new meaning.

Marcus - The stuff you post here is so great. I've kind of taken the summer "off," you might say, when it comes to blogging. I have a lot going on in life right now. And I realize very tangibly now that the work I have NOT invested in blogging and social networking has meant less traffic, fewer comments, and generally, a lack of community. I want to come back here and soak up these points more later. Also, when I finally end my sabbatical, I really want to find out more about High Calling Blogs. You guys do such great stuff at thehighcalling.org.

I'm not going, but I'll also be looking forward to the reports. Maybe you could practice your pitch with a Good Word Editing podcast! We'll all listen -- though most of us probably can't publish your book.

Marcus -- I struggle with this whole subject a lot. For me, it usually boils down to how I'm spending my time. Do I write what I want -- which probably will never be sold? Or do I try to write for a particular market, still staying true to who I am, but writing more narrowly. I like how you probably relationship into this. If I just sit in my room and write with no context for readers to enter in, is it really writing worth my time?

As you can see, even though I think about this a lot, I don't usually end up with many conclusions!

Mark -- Fantastic. I needed to hear this. And the funny thing about it is that Jesus usually shows up as the person we LEAST like to serve.

Mark -- This is so fascinating. And also makes me think I'll never be asked to be part of a blog tour again. I did it all wrong. However, I am learning! The only thing I probably won't be able to do before a future blog tour is to become a pastor!

Have a good trip.

Marcus -- This is fascinating. I have thought about whether my blog has a purpose or not. If it doesn't, I need to pack up. I've also thought about who I am writing for -- 20-30 active commenters and probably another 40-50 active readers who would never comment are probably my "regulars" from anecdotal evidence. But I'm still a little fuzzy on what the grand goal would be for all of us working together. I'm intrigued to see where you are heading.

Mark -- Great idea for a meme worth remembering! And I like your idea of not doing what you don't like. The stubborn part of me tries to finish things even when I don't see the point. I love these thoughts.

I didn't realize what a "meme" was until reading this post. I have the same sort of schizophrenic thoughts about them as others who have commented. I am always flattered to have been tagged, but I rarely tag others because I'm still not sure of the etiquette in the blog world. How well do you have to "know" somebody out here before tagging them? What do you do if they choose not to "play"?

I'm on the band wagon. This is a VERY helpful post. I've had the same question myself, Eve. Thanks for getting this ball rolling!

So, Mark, are you going to tell us when you put your shingle back out?

WooHoo! Maybe I could be an editor! I picked the same one's that you did, Marcus, even before I peeked at your answers! I LOVE these tips. Keep them coming!

Hey Marcus -- I had to spend the day DOING my high calling before I could join the tour! I just posted my introduction to the site and am looking forward to digging a little deeper tomorrow. Hope you are getting a lot of good response. The website is fantastic!

Balance in life is so elusive. One day, as I was struggling to know if I was spending my time wisely, I read the lyrics to a song that went something like, "this is your life, are you who you want to be?" At first it freaked me out, because I didn't want my life to be about all the mundane things I had been doing. Then I thought more about it. The song asked if this is "who" I want to be, not "what" I want to be doing. Maybe the spiritual formation that happens in our lives and those we love is an important criteria for all these things we all do.

I just signed up! Thanks for letting us in on this early!

I've been submerging myself in Berry recently, too, but have been remiss to get his poetry. I'm going to hit the library site next!

I'm late to this conversation, as usual. I won't try to add anything . . . I know you've all moved on. Just want to say "bravo," that this conversation happened. I hope to be part of some future conversations.

I love this poem. Joe Valentine seems like a decent guy who's taking a moment to teach his son a valuable life lesson.

I feel like I'm one of the people he can see from the front row. This poem evoked a lot of emotion in me, reminds me of the two funerals I attended in the past year of dear friends who died too young.

I also remember all the times I had to do things as a child because it was the right thing to do. Finish out the softball season, even though I despise softball. Completing school projects. Visiting old relatives. Even a funeral of a young friend who died in a car accident.

This is such a powerful poem.

Thanks for sharing it, Marcus. And thanks to Ally for writing it.

"I'm on your side." What a great sentiment to believe and work for, Marcus. I've always been a little bit afraid of editors, afraid they won't see the vision of my article or essay. I am learning to see that they have the same hesitation: that I won't see the greater vision of their publication and the audience they are reaching.

Your writers are lucky to have you!

Wishing I could head to a place where there's no internet, no cell service, no phone, no TV, and no radio, knowing that the brief silence might make up for a week that has been far too hectic, I envy you.

That wasn't very good, but I tried. Craver really is the best at these. He deserves to win all kinds of prizes!

Hope the retreat is restful.

SOBs, pirates -- hope my firewall doesn't start blocking this site!

Congrats, Marcus. Your blog is one of the best. Your consistent, engaging, thought provoking, and very funny.

The pirate party sounds like a blast. When I read Craver's comment, I at first thought he was asking if you charged a buck-an-ear to get in. (I really shouldn't skim!) Maybe next year your daughter could turn her birthday party into a little money-making venture!

LL -- That the one who is abused has moved on to the point of telling her story is beautiful. I will never tire of hearing the stories of people once knocked down who have gotten up again and again.

Of course, these stories aren't true for everyone. Not everyone who reads a story of redemption and healing is going to receive those things herself. Do these words then become "ugly" because they are not true for her?

Marcus -- I always appreciate insights into the industry that you provide here. Even though I think of myself as a writer, I'm definitely an outsider at this point.

I often wonder exactly what industry it is that I'm looking to be inside of, however. Andre's comments have me thinking more about books/authors as commodities. Even though I don't like being thought of simply as a consumer, I'd resist being thought of simply as a commodity even more.