tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57307393692510463692012-01-25T11:14:27.297-06:00Creating bridges between thinking and creating.Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.comBlogger891100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-31001560334709110622012-01-25T11:12:00.001-06:002012-01-25T11:14:27.307-06:00

I have been talking often with my wife about farming and food. She continues to introduce me to the dangers and opportunities involved in the agro world. In the midst of this learning, she and I had the opportunity to meet and converse with the farmers with whom we receive our vegetables. They were lovely people with thoughtful eyes and patient countenances. The conversation was wonderful, but

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-47247817994574332422012-01-20T11:57:00.002-06:002012-01-20T12:01:07.582-06:00

The Emerging Movement or Conversation is a poignant philosophical critique of modernity. Individuals or groups often miss this when they discuss this topic. It seems that the movement is most often caricatured as a liberal movement that is essentially out to destroy Truth. They, it is presented, are either those desiring to do “hip church” or they are sinister individuals out to undermine

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-63382905987216930202012-01-16T08:42:00.001-06:002012-01-16T08:44:48.307-06:00

I wanted to try and jump into some of the history of this movement today, but there is a bit of prefacing that needs to happen before we can move forward. I am doing this primarily because there are many presupposition and assumptions we bring to this kind of discussion. It is important, then, that I present a couple important framework pieces. 1. The Church has and is always emerging. There has

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-81855415154564309332012-01-12T15:52:00.001-06:002012-01-12T15:55:19.680-06:00

In the process of researching for my thesis, I have come to realize there are many misnomers and incomplete assumptions put upon the Emerging Movement (or conversation). It is often assumed that people associated with anything Emerging are just hip Christians who love candles, rock-star worship, and a host of other constructions used to de-legitimize the entirety of the movement. There is some

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-69507790634902575412012-01-09T11:16:00.002-06:002012-01-09T11:23:42.631-06:00

There are few things more important than attempting, to the best of our abilities, to right wrongs. NT Wright calls it “putting-the-world-to-rights.” My apprehension, however, is that we (and this may be mostly a criticism of the Western world) put much more clout in human ingenuity, creativity, and skill than is warranted. This is not to say that I don’t think we have any capacities at all, but

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-1029323678383837552012-01-02T14:25:00.001-06:002012-01-02T14:28:46.627-06:00

Last year was marked with a variety of conflict situations. We witnessed political conflict and upheaval as well as economic, cultural, and even educational. No matter where you looked, rather locally or nationally, a host of tense, gridlocked situations were afoot. As the start of the New Year has begun, I wonder how we will face these lingering, or even new, anxious situations. Conflict is

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-12236483811400288272011-11-28T09:50:00.005-06:002011-11-28T10:06:02.841-06:00

One of the often championed sentiments against theology is that it confuses the essentials; that it gets caught up in abstraction upon abstraction rendering the common man helpless in its midst. The discussions can spend too much time separate from the hurts, pains, and frustrations that are part of human existence making it difficult to find warmth and comfort in its shadow. Yet, studying and

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-57503028061042539692011-11-23T12:59:00.004-06:002011-11-23T13:10:39.547-06:00

Finding common ground in the midst of conflict is a laborious task. Typically, once the parties have found this mutual land they are mentally numb, emotionally empty, and physically exhausted. Sometimes a mediator is needed to help the parties find their way to a collective position. This individual converses with the parties trying to generate enthusiasm, focus, and options to get them moving

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-14536534557282209782011-11-10T09:51:00.006-06:002011-11-10T10:11:37.050-06:00

Have you ever met or spent time with someone who seemed to be able to peer into your heart? I know that sounds strange and spooky but I would assume many of us have had some kind of experience like this. Mine seem to come in discussions with those much older than myself. They quietly sit listening to my grand schemes and dreams nodding or just watching. There may be a slight smile upon their

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-72821666891152989822011-11-07T10:48:00.003-06:002011-11-07T10:59:35.863-06:00

I can be a dense person. There are times when I am in conversation with my wife or friend, and I miss hints of frustration, pain, or confusion lingering amidst their words. This kind of thing happened on Friday. My wife came home from work and was carrying some emotions from the day. I tried my best to listen, but instead of just letting her release the tension, I attempted to provide

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-36341825336998693652011-10-27T17:19:00.004-05:002011-10-28T10:51:52.542-05:00

I am a terrible juggler. It does not matter if it is just two balls; my capacity to keep the necessary motion and rhythm is horrible. In some ways this is reflective of how we humans think: the constant juggling of thoughts in our minds throughout the day while struggling to keep, remember, or pondered them. This is just part of our humanness. It is one of our many limitations. This is

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-73331023348823774952011-10-25T11:52:00.001-05:002011-10-25T11:55:07.426-05:00

I had a few ideas I thought of writing but I have not fleshed them out. It is just one of those days where writing a blog is a bit tough to come by. So I decided to just write for writing sake. It might not be coherent, but sometimes it is better to keep at something even if it doesn’t immediately make sense. A lot of writers also say that to find true gold in writing you have to write a lot of

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-79027034797616714282011-10-17T13:05:00.000-05:002011-10-17T13:06:38.234-05:00

I once had a young lady tell me that when I debated it was like getting hit in the head with hammer. The statement was not about my grammar but about my execution. To be honest: she was correct. When I defended a point I did so with the intent to destroy the other party. There was a part of me that loved the verbal swordplay—there is a part of me that still does. But swords and hammers do little

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-57470528416427909442011-10-12T12:55:00.003-05:002011-10-12T13:02:04.638-05:00

“True Jewish Mysticism lies in the conviction—so peculiar, indeed, to the people of Israel—that the same God who is the God of heaven, the supremely transcendent God, is yet the God of his people. We must understand this as meaning not only that he is the God who concerns himself with the people whom he chose in the covenant, but also the God who lives with them, who makes himself their

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-80617961287870314242011-09-26T11:14:00.003-05:002011-09-26T11:23:38.918-05:00

Conviction: A. “the act of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law. B. “the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth.” 3. A. “A strong persuasion or belief” It is apparent from the above definitions that conviction is a two-way word. On one side it describes someone with a

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-48134531949739700882011-09-21T11:01:00.001-05:002011-09-21T11:02:49.277-05:00

Healing comes in a variety of ways. Doctors assist us when we have a serious virus or disease as well as minor ailments. Physical therapists can analyze torn ligaments and muscles and proscribe a series of exercises and stretches in order to encourage repair and strength. It can be said—and is said I’m sure—that America is incredible when it comes to healing sickness and repairing the body. But

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-87550977023965544752011-09-15T08:59:00.011-05:002011-09-16T12:00:10.875-05:00

Here is a wonderful post from writer Billy CoffeyThis is a great post discussing a unique service the Catholic church will be offering its fellow gamers. Here is another from USCatholic. The topic is the ethics of in vitro fertilization. To be honest: I am not sure where I stand on the issue. Give this a read and let me know what you think.I have never been totally confident in writing. This post

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-63488509607235600002011-09-14T12:44:00.002-05:002011-09-14T12:47:56.247-05:00

One of the wonderful attributes of vacation is the disconnection with the fast pace of our culture. There can be no doubt that ours is a country that loves to be busy. It is almost as if we are attempting to out pace time itself. We constantly strive for efficiency and productivity making sure not to waste any moment of our day. We text while we drive and have business calls while dropping the

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-50317226801143558642011-09-12T12:02:00.000-05:002011-09-12T12:03:19.735-05:00

I just got back from a lovely weeklong vacation with my wife. It was a time of reflection and refreshing. She and I connected on a level often impeded during the typical busy workweek. We imagined our hopes for our future and we told jokes and acted silly. We laughed until oxygen was difficult to take in and we sat quietly together enjoying just being in one another’s presence. We spent time

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-63998095473808610362011-08-30T12:32:00.001-05:002011-08-30T12:40:02.611-05:00

I am terrible when it comes to being disciplined. My category has the mentality, “If at first you don’t succeed…move on to something else.” I do not champion this sentiment so please don’t assume I appreciate this aspect of my character. There is a prayer we often proclaim at church that has one line that touches on this and it never ceases to make me cringe with conviction. It states: “Most

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-64800720604921721432011-08-24T12:16:00.000-05:002011-08-24T12:17:22.735-05:00

Politics in Christian circles is always ripe with controversy. We have some groups asserting that Jesus leans right while others assert He leans left. He is either republican or he is democrat—conservative or liberal. I was stunned during the last election with how ridiculous and uncouth the exchanges about politics were amongst my fellow Christians. What was most astonishing is that both group

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-45295262220819773022011-08-08T12:08:00.003-05:002011-08-08T12:25:52.374-05:00

My wife and I are always trying to find our seasonal TV shows. The summer brought Rizzoli and Isles, Wipeout, and my growing favorite, Falling Skies. To be sure: my wife is not a Falling Skies fan. Sci-Fi stuff is not necessarily her first interest, but from the first advertisements I was intrigued. The concept of resisting invading aliens was prime to catch my attention. The show had its season

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-14808067633699162462011-08-05T13:56:00.003-05:002011-08-05T14:22:46.018-05:00

Here a few articles for the weekend:1. I enjoy the work from Harvard Business Review. Here is one for all those people looking for some work. 2. Movies that did not quite make it to film. From the good folks at Wired Magazine. 3. Some news on Kraft foods. Yowzer.4. An interesting article pastors and leaders.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-21699962329263011592011-08-05T12:47:00.001-05:002011-08-05T12:47:54.298-05:00

I enjoy the fact that there has been shifts in the collective conscience regarding cultural and social improprieties. The focus on creating processes that steward the environment and help the poor and impoverished are important to our social life. But my hesitation in constant applause of these common goods stems from the human tendency to change the outside world hoping the inside world will

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-74065818658765775372011-07-25T09:43:00.000-05:002011-07-25T09:44:12.442-05:00

The women in ministry debate amazes me. You have your complementarians on one side and your egalitarians on the other. Both always have their exegesis to back up their positions. I am always struck, however, with how restricted the discussions go. Take, for example, the passage in 1st Timothy that is used: the whole “no authority over men no teaching of men” passage is always a hot bed for

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-44070060343649602572011-07-19T10:04:00.007-05:002011-07-22T11:13:57.882-05:00

Here is are some interesting articles to read over the weekend. Enjoy and let me know what you think. 1. Thoughts on Leadership from Duke University.2. Another from Duke University3. On Communication 4. A wonderful article on the successful life from the folks at the Harvard Business Review5. Nice article on the importance of trust in business. Thanks again to Harvard Business Review. 6. Check

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-48336570506836185542011-07-18T13:06:00.001-05:002011-07-18T13:06:55.075-05:00

A position of postmodern thinking is one of high skepticism toward those who claim to have access or insight into an objective reality or truth. This is reasonable when we recognize that the previous century, which was one where scientific processes became the arbiters of truth, is riddled with human atrocity. The same scientific processes that allowed beneficial breakthrough also allowed the

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-44423143459320281792011-07-14T10:26:00.001-05:002011-07-14T10:29:29.434-05:00

Where I am going, you cannot come. I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13: 34-35 NRSV)In my previous post I discussed the distancing affect that coincides with technology use; that by reducing the non-verbal cues of dialogue

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-11634559680931507662011-07-08T09:37:00.001-05:002011-07-08T09:38:49.078-05:00

My wife and I have been watching documentaries and reading assortments of literature on the food industry. The topics have ranged from the industrialization of food to the healing influence of healthy diet and nutrient intake. It has been enlightening. But there is one theme that underpins the whole thing: we have become disconnected from our food. This is not to say that all should become

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-27937391486671531952011-06-16T10:15:00.001-05:002011-06-16T10:16:38.423-05:00

A strength—if it could be called that—to post-modern thinking is its appreciation for complexity. This complexity of processes and reality was under-appreciated in modern mindset. The linear, more mechanistic thinking of the modern mind has been limiting to many spheres, which has made the post-modern thought appealing. The complexity appreciation of post-modernism has focused on finding out

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-40832175591474329742011-06-14T17:27:00.001-05:002011-06-14T17:31:00.942-05:00

There should always be a cry for peace in time of war. It is a reminder and encouragement to all of us to work toward sustainable resolution. Moreover, it is a call toward a world without military industrial complexes and missile making creativity. But we often do not understand nor recognize the complexity in those systems and structures that act both as balustrades and catalysts for conflict.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-55418936569316692392011-05-24T15:58:00.003-05:002011-05-24T16:02:03.458-05:00

Is there a generation that has not known church or ministry conflict? I know many in my generation have. The consequences of these types of disputes are never pretty. People leave their Christian faith, some keep it but it looks more like boat riddled with holes that they keep patching, and still some manage to get through the problems with little issue. There are even those who actually go

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-27002625157439318082011-05-11T18:07:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:45:11.919-05:00

I’ve recently been thinking about the assertion that Jesus’ death and resurrection ended the applicability of the Law. There are several approaches to discussing this topic and many I am unable to thoroughly handle. But there is one aspect of this topic that might have some particular influence for us today. The Law, as we read it in the scripture, is not just placing boundaries for boundaries

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-48926829624006670962011-05-04T10:28:00.000-05:002011-05-04T10:29:54.918-05:00

When I communicate with my wife a variety of faculties are involved. Eyes, ears, vocal chords, hands, arms, brain, and many other resources are utilized in order to achieve effective communication. More often than not, it does not work the first time. She must continue to ask clarifying questions in order that the fullness of the thought might be presented for understanding to occur. Once some

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-53334064945552180132011-04-21T10:35:00.000-05:002011-04-21T10:36:29.304-05:00

I enjoy learning and conversing about Christian theology. The challenges of certain concepts or doctrines provide the proper amount of internal conflict from which insight comes. I have friends and acquaintances that have pursued theology as a profession. When I spend time with them, I am always encouraged to continue learning and pressing. But even though I might enjoy these conversations, I

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-21923384055714752022011-04-12T11:25:00.001-05:002011-04-12T11:27:47.297-05:00

“Listen, a sower went out to sow…(vs.3)“Let anyone with ears to hear listen…(vs. 9)“Let anyone with ears to hear listen…(vs. 23)“Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get…”(24) All passage referenced from NRSVI have spent some time over the last week thinking about this verbal repetition. Most often when something is repeated in scripture—or anywhere for

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-76568717024590883382011-04-06T11:47:00.001-05:002011-04-06T11:52:08.084-05:00

Jesus told the parable of a man who went out to sow some seeds. With sack in hand, he went about spreading handfuls of kernels in his field. Some fell upon the well-worn path, others managed to get on the cultivated soil. There were some that unfortunately ended up atop some rocks, while others found themselves amongst the thorns. We all know that it is those on the good soil that end up growing.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-43227055202303015952011-03-16T11:28:00.003-05:002011-03-16T12:09:19.371-05:00

A few folks have sent me links regarding the new Rob Bell book and controversy. I’ve read through a few and glanced at the array of responses. The mixture of frustration alongside applause is interesting. We have seminarians and theologians dropping the proverbial hammer and then there are those churchmen and churchwomen who will read this book and love it. It is interesting. It is controversial.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-65631961518345940392011-02-24T15:21:00.003-06:002011-02-24T15:27:44.945-06:00

“If others think they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, flawless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-3687140101784062772011-01-29T16:56:00.002-06:002011-01-29T17:01:16.330-06:00

It is always interesting when conversations about war arise in Christian circles. I find that Just War Theorists alongside Pacifists have clear, thoughtful convictions about their respective conclusions and beliefs. My goal with this particular post is not to debate one against the other, but to point out that the entirety of scripture does not necessarily represent one concise answer to the

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-2573625484439698002011-01-24T11:23:00.001-06:002011-01-24T11:25:33.935-06:00

Topic: Death PenaltyHow do you feel—what is your gut/emotional reaction—about the death penalty? What do you think about the death penalty? Do you believe there are people who deserve to be put to death because of their crimes? How is life in prison—beyond the fact that the individual is not put to death—more humane than the death penalty? Is a life of confinement with other criminals humane?

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-9728359886638473802011-01-22T17:15:00.003-06:002011-01-22T17:19:33.195-06:00

There have been strong pushes to place blame on someone—other than the perpetrator—regarding the unfortunate and despicable shooting in Arizona. It is a common reaction to try and place fault on someone(s) else and, unless you are a genuine victim who knows the criminal(s), it makes placing blame extremely difficult. But in the case of the shooting in Arizona, the attempt to lay it at the feet of

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-55141828449242701292011-01-17T08:03:00.000-06:002011-01-17T08:05:08.937-06:00

In order to keep a certain routine to posting, I’ve decided to write a brainstorming blog every Monday. The goal: ask rhetorical questions about a wide range of topics. I am not necessarily looking for conclusions or comments.My aim is to process the wide array of events, experiences, and activities we might view during our weeks. I will intentionally pose questions about sensitive and

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-5706905064326960532011-01-03T16:48:00.004-06:002011-01-03T17:06:11.692-06:00

It is time to get back to discipline. I spent the month thinking about it. As a drummer, in order to gain a confidence and efficiency in playing I had to spend hours everyday practicing the same rudiments and rhythms until it became second nature. Now I can sit at a drum set without having much thought as to what I am playing. This is the focus with which I am approaching this year. I want to

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-86947311374970407422010-12-08T09:21:00.002-06:002010-12-08T09:27:38.323-06:00

According to Danielle Friedman of The Daily Beast, “In a fifth of marriages wives now out–earn their husbands. More women are graduating from college than men. The workforce now skews female, and men have been hit harder by the recession…”Lets assume the fraction—a fifth—is accurate. I have not done any length of research regarding these statistical shifts, but if the number is remotely sound, it

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-78184157955600869372010-11-30T16:59:00.003-06:002010-12-01T13:06:23.943-06:00

Here is a law from the communication field: A person cannot help but communicate. At every moment of every day we are communicating something to someone. You might be sitting quietly in a library reading while those around you understand that you do not want to be disturbed. You could be at a sporting event or concert cheering communicating to those around that you are having a great time. Both

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-89928329987804329752010-11-23T14:53:00.001-06:002010-11-23T14:55:06.383-06:00

As I mentioned a previous post: I hope to encourage discussion on the importance and fundamentals of worldview. For the purpose of this post I hope to provide a framework that the component parts of worldview fit. In order to do this, think of worldview as a puzzle. Picture in your mind the last puzzle you put together: How you started with the border pieces and then sat studying the picture on

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-56789866950030123242010-11-12T16:22:00.000-06:002010-11-12T16:23:43.114-06:00

I worked in the seafood department of a local grocery for about a year. The mornings I opened, I would have to clean all the fish trays, spray down the fish juice that had accumulated over the night, and place the fish on clean trays to display. As you could imagine, it was not an appealing job. But more than waking up early to open or standing on my feet all day, was the potent and sharp smell

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-22588884541333451722010-11-09T17:13:00.003-06:002010-11-09T17:18:08.427-06:00

“Every person carries in his head a mental model of the world—a subjective representation of external reality.” –Alvin TofflerThere is an appearance with our country that it is permissible and beneficial to have fragmented values, beliefs, and opinions—as if this fragmentation has little consequence. This is why we can have a culture that abhors things like human trafficking, but assumes it

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-23385901264865856752010-11-03T17:17:00.000-05:002010-11-03T17:18:17.770-05:00

Story is not just the activity of creating a setting, plot, and characters in order to take people on a journey to teach them some universal truth or lesson about life. Everything in our world revolves around some kind of story. Whether it is the historian editing information to tell the narrative of a moment or age in the past or the media taking the facts of an event to create news to inform us

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-62727972680823576232010-11-02T10:20:00.001-05:002010-11-02T10:21:41.225-05:00

Conflict of any sort does not just involve a particular idea or ideology, but the entire person. It is true that history has shown that there is something to be said for proper conduct in debates and disputes, but most of our political and cultural debating might not fit under this category. Those who lean left curse those who lean right and vice versa. It’s ridiculous but it reflects a crucial

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-65966540808650536982010-10-27T11:04:00.003-05:002010-10-27T13:02:36.613-05:00

I was involved in a lively discussion last night about prison ministry. Involved in the conversation was a licensed counselor who has two decades worth of experience. In the course of the dialogue the counselor shared about working with several inmates imprisoned for various reasons. One story in particular stood out to me. It did so, not because of what the person had done—though it was not

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-1701586841494133302010-10-21T09:48:00.003-05:002010-10-21T09:57:17.379-05:00

“By a faction I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting the majority or minority of the whole, who are united or actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.” – James Madison Federalist Paper 10I am always fascinated by politicians on both sides who try to assert that

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-62086812276782948142010-10-19T16:41:00.001-05:002010-10-19T23:05:41.675-05:00

One of the main thrusts of scripture is God creating a people to reflect His reality and steward it on the earth. The people He picks are always the most human: they fail, run from God, and make all kinds of moral and ethical snafus. This pattern did not stop with Jesus. His disciples were just as human: Two brothers wanted to call down lightning on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:51-55); Peter was

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-51263371470210871552010-10-15T13:04:00.001-05:002010-10-15T13:09:16.384-05:00

When I tell people I grew up listening and playing Jazz music they usually respond with something like, “I love jazz, but it is difficult to listen to or understand.” Playing jazz is certainly not easy to learn. The nuance of the music is what challenges the jazz musician to constantly listen, study, and practice. Unbeknownst to many, jazz is a communal music par excellence. The history of its

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-79409449492624550112010-10-11T16:04:00.003-05:002010-10-11T16:12:30.302-05:00

I was bullied as a kid and I bullied people as a kid. Was it right? No. Do I condone the behavior? No. The comments and actions we make even as young people have lasting impact in peoples lives. I can still remember negative comments certain people made to or about me when I was in school. It reflects the unique influence and mysterious power our words have over us. But to avoid digressing: most

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-25735489887474861422010-10-06T15:38:00.004-05:002010-10-06T15:53:59.457-05:00

This is a huge plug for a very creative and innovative friend. Layne Eiler has always been an encouragement to my wife and I to pursue our creative outlets. Anytime a new creative idea was proposed she was always the first to champion the cause and ask what she could do to help. Yet, in the midst of her constant support she managed to pursue her own abilities at painting--two of her paintings

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-25987724523678003932010-10-04T21:59:00.000-05:002010-10-04T22:01:10.280-05:00

Art is a form of communication. Movies, stories, paintings, or choreographed dance are all reflections of the inner thoughts, emotions, or conclusions of their creator. There is an interesting outward and inward nature to this communication. The outward is the invitation from the artist for others to view the world from the artist’s perspective. The inward is what occurs in the thoughts, emotions

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-66204722858965603712010-09-29T16:55:00.003-05:002010-09-29T17:11:15.517-05:00

When I first became a Christian, there is something I wish was mentioned to me. It is simply this: Count the cost of what you are about to partner yourself with. In the Gospel of Luke 14:25-33, Jesus challenges his disciples to do this. There was a “price” or consequence to following him and he wanted to make sure they did not continue without first taking time to consider it. We should ask the

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-85601471523087064932010-09-23T18:29:00.003-05:002010-09-23T21:01:15.679-05:00

One of the topics continually discussed by the Anti-Federalists was the potential for the abuse of power. The fear, if I understand correctly, is that by consolidating power into a Union the likelihood of abuse increases as the influence and scope of the Union overshadows the authority and influence of the state. The problem worsens with the Constitution never dictating term limits. (We did not

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-65681358085080813732010-09-20T10:26:00.003-05:002010-09-20T10:34:51.055-05:00

"But whatever may be our situation, whether firmly united under one national government, or split into a number of confederacies, certain it is that foreign nations will know and view it exactly as it is; and they will act toward us accordingly. If they see that our national government is efficient and well administered, our trade prudently regulated, our militia properly organized and

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-48729267366960731282010-09-14T16:46:00.003-05:002010-09-14T16:49:50.285-05:00

I just came across an interesting article. The thoughts expressed have some great wisdom. The last couple of remarks in the blog were great. Check out Jessica Smiths blog here.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-78647474567531589742010-09-14T14:58:00.003-05:002010-09-14T15:10:46.457-05:00

We search for meaning. From the moment we are introduced into the world, our minds work to understand, quantify, and qualify everything happening around us. Like a super-fast microprocessor, our brain develops, organizes and files away everything. Emotions, visual stimuli, auditory stimuli, touch, and taste are all compiled and kept in storage allowing us the ability to understand and interact

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-45126316590205784052010-09-08T14:16:00.003-05:002010-09-08T14:21:23.826-05:00

We live in an age of mass communication. It could be assumed this is a good thing; that the more we communicate the better off we will be. I am beginning to believe this is not true. There is a myth I learned in one of my conflict management classes: More communication is always better. I submit that this is something we should take into consideration. Even as I write I can quickly

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-74613892034881619382010-09-01T16:38:00.004-05:002010-10-04T22:02:36.977-05:00

I am just two weeks into my commitment to read documents from our Founding Fathers and I must admit it is an interesting, somewhat confusing, unique segment of American history. In the vibrancy of the enlightenment, and the awakening of the human capacity to reason, a contingent of men engaged to bring a new form of governing to reality. These men debated the concepts of federal governance,

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-11636419470324707312010-08-27T09:19:00.002-05:002010-08-27T09:24:45.777-05:00

I have been working through Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, and have been disturbed and enlightened by his thoughts. For a book written in the mid-80’s the shadow of its clairvoyance looms large today. If you have never had an opportunity to read it, I would recommend it. But to my point…I spent some time reading through the material this

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-26466482483648163512010-08-26T12:03:00.002-05:002010-08-26T12:08:27.696-05:00

For the last two years my wife and I have lived off a small income. It has not been easy. When we first started out we did not think we would make it to the end of the month before having no money left. To say it was a stressful time would be an understatement. The fascinating thing about the situation is that it took us a few solid months to start to recognize we were finishing each month with

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-77094369206019031242010-08-25T12:29:00.003-05:002010-08-25T12:35:36.026-05:00

Many of us have spoken about a return to church discipline. This being not just prayer and textual study, but a renewed discipleship. Trevin Wax, a minister my wife has turned me on to, recently did an interview discussing this very issue. Certainly a good here read. Click here.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-82065168281566893132010-08-23T10:57:00.011-05:002010-08-24T10:16:04.344-05:00

I will be the first to admit my limited understanding--if not ignorance--of American political history and present-day American political issues. The fiery rhetoric of both Democrats and Republicans or Conservatives and liberals is, for me at least, boring. Their circumlocution is astounding and ridiculous all at the same time. I am the type of person that needs to cogitate on something before I

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-63414930488603399062010-08-16T10:51:00.002-05:002010-08-16T12:28:39.208-05:00

Greed is not regulated to those who have a lot of something. This is the running assumption amongst many Americans and Christians. The idea is that it is the greedy rich people who are destroying us. Albeit, there is room to discuss the influence of special interest in creating or blocking policy. But the underlying quasi-hatred toward “rich people” conceals something within the accuser: that

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-9444212052041351372010-08-13T10:03:00.002-05:002010-08-13T10:06:20.509-05:00

I have the wrong abbreviation for the state of Connecticut. It should say CT not CO. Again: learning to be a better editor.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-30011838218969516112010-08-13T09:53:00.002-05:002010-08-13T09:59:38.659-05:00

Had to make a comment on two USATODAY articles (1 & 2) about potential legal issues a school district will have with the ACLU. Essentially, they (ACLU) are threatening litigation against a school district in Enfield, CO. if the district decides to go forward with having graduation at a local megachurch. The ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State claim this move blatantly

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-39879039197842321852010-08-09T10:13:00.003-05:002010-08-09T10:20:55.934-05:00

There is a popular notion that religious belief should be kept as a private matter; that an ethic or morality based off religious conviction should not be allowed in the public sector. Judge Vaughn Walker, federal judge who overturned Proposition 8, mentioned this kind of reasoning with his decision on Proposition 8. Let me just say this outright: the idea that religious belief is a private

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-26831968744371597092010-08-05T10:16:00.001-05:002010-08-05T10:28:33.338-05:00

Over the last couple of days I have had an interesting conversation with my wife regarding the Anne Rice controversy. As someone studying conflict management with an emphasis in religious settings, it has been a fascinating case study. Between bloggers thrashing her, to those defending her, and everything in between, it has again affirmed the difficulty of healthy resolution within portions of

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-38658152219681462642010-07-29T15:55:00.006-05:002010-08-01T09:23:00.124-05:00

About a month ago I started weaning myself off television news. I would wake in the morning, and with my cereal, yogurt, and cup-o-joe, I would watch Fox and CNN. It would not be long before I was stressed or frustrated by what was being communicated, and this while I was still in my sleeping attire. Not a good combo. Day after day I would subject myself to this routine until I realized it was

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-62084917520797043922010-07-23T10:49:00.003-05:002010-07-23T11:30:07.501-05:00

I am going to vent a little: Sometimes I read a Facebook status quoting or talking about the great blessings of God and all the awesome things He is doing in peoples lives and I can't relate. There are times when I am having a truly human day. I am frustrated and I am angry. I want to pull my hair out because temptation is screaming in my ears. There are days when I get out of bed and I know I am

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-17422756005928218222010-07-15T16:29:00.001-05:002010-07-15T16:29:20.788-05:00

Miles Davis is one of the greatest figures in American music. His musical insights and clairvoyance helped him shape most of what have become the hip-hop, r&b, and pop music sounds. If you were to trace today’s tunes back to starting points of American music Miles Davis, along with several others, will be major intersections. Aside from my top three cds being his, there is an endearing facet to

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-74931376974027307032010-07-01T17:34:00.002-05:002010-07-01T17:39:03.039-05:00

I was thinking about the idea that when something does not go our way, how some would say it is because we don’t have enough faith. I’ve heard it applied this way: someone has been praying for healing, and the healing doesn’t come. It is their lack of faith that kept them from receiving healing. I remember I asked someone to pray for me about some financial things I was going through, and after

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-14864084290899706192010-06-22T09:47:00.002-05:002010-06-22T10:00:42.393-05:00

I have been discussing the term 'The Law' with Jaz Boon. It is important to understand that there are different bodies of law presented in the Old Testament. If you are going to discuss Old Testament law, it is important to decide the legal body you are talking about. Is it Levitical or the Ten Commandments? Is it the entire Pentateuch? This Pentateuch has the Hebrew word 'Torah,' which should be

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-28207624628463729842010-06-10T10:47:00.000-05:002010-06-10T10:48:08.054-05:00

My generation is obsessed with social issues. The environment, sex trafficking, and war top the list of the most important ‘issues’ we have to confront. Hollywood has picked up on this underlying ethos, and as such, offered films with their particular brand of agenda dealing with them. For many it is exciting, powerful, and existential. But there is one particular issue that never seems to

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-45210198810052266202010-06-08T11:56:00.000-05:002010-06-08T11:57:16.066-05:00

I just finished reading a blog written by a Christian on a topic that had much more intricacy to it than he allowed. The accuracy of his argument was a bit incomplete to be honest. However, when I began reading the comments I started to chuckle. They ranged from how religions produce hate and war all the way to people who are religious are bigoted and impractical. Any time someone made a case for

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-5666939009386723452010-06-05T14:30:00.001-05:002010-06-05T14:32:06.669-05:00

My close friend, Jaz Boon, wrote a great piece introducing the idea that both God and the Bible writers had intent to what they wanted to express; that there was a message they wanted the audience to ‘get’. I will state from the beginning that this conversation can quickly lead to the interplay of God’s inspiration upon the writers and how that influenced the content they communicated. I want,

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-43597037424177865552010-06-01T08:06:00.003-05:002010-06-01T08:37:55.729-05:00

Whenever we work within malfunctioning systems we have two possibilities: nudge it in a more efficient direction or tear it down and start over. When I talk about systems it can be anything from business structures, communication systems, protocols, really anything that has a working process to achieve a particular end product or goal. A few examples of systems:1. The process a business goes

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-52036715348498258212010-05-27T15:19:00.002-05:002010-05-27T15:24:25.040-05:00

I am criticizing my own blog: I said that I understand the will to survive and the will to protect. Guess what, those are exactly the same thing. Don't you protect yourself to survive? I think so. Awesome. I just criticized my own blog. I am enjoying the comments folks are making. If they cause discomfort, that is a good thing.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-85939741197596784612010-05-27T08:14:00.003-05:002010-05-27T08:58:51.001-05:00

Interesting USA Today article regarding the immigration policy and practice in Mexico. I know there is worry that the Arizona legislation could turn into full-scale practices against human rights, but I am now beginning to recognize the significant tension surrounding the issue. In short, Mexico is in bad shape. On the one hand it makes sense that people would want to escape a dangerous and

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-74153506513697076972010-05-25T18:09:00.002-05:002010-05-25T18:15:39.348-05:00

It is official: Patrick C. Fagan, my brother,graduated from the University of Virginia Law school. Gretchen and I had the pleasure of attending and it was quite a inspirational experience. Walking the campus designed by the brilliant and creative Thomas Jefferson reminded me of the caliber of people that have been part of American heritage. If you ever have an opportunity to visit Charlottesville

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-47857767908943531432010-05-20T14:44:00.002-05:002010-05-20T14:55:43.258-05:00

I don't really know why I wanted to share this, but there are few things I enjoy more than sitting down on a rainy day to play a video game on the xbox 360. Though I cannot say it is my number one favorite, it is certainly a top five. When an excellent story, solid game play, enamoring visuals and music, and good characters come together in a game, it is hard to quit. My wife never ceases to

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-29283948082267506602010-05-11T15:23:00.002-05:002010-05-11T15:29:05.113-05:00

I’ve continued to hear that the recent immigration bill signed by the governor of Arizona is a throwback to Nazism; I even had an acquaintance of mine assert this same idea. This is a perfect example of using a particular verbal reference in order to stir an emotive response and reaction. Let me say from the start that I know little about the legislation so don’t assume I am for or against it.

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730739369251046369.post-71632587158631278802010-05-10T16:41:00.002-05:002010-05-10T17:04:35.996-05:00

It has been some time since I endeavored to write a blog. Do to being back in school as well as the continual changes life afford us, I decided to take some time away from the blogging world. After some encouragement from my wife and others, I decided it might be interesting to begin blogging again.I spent some time pondering what I would write about and three ideas kept bouncing around my mind:

Colin P. Faganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02605025097796288953noreply@blogger.com3