As I have come to value my relationship with my creator more I have found that my preferences for an agitated cerebral state have somewhat diminished.

Let me see if I can explain. I was once quite fond of a didactic method of conversing wherein I gave all information about what was wrong with the world around me and just how deeply flawed it was. I also was quite eager to tell others just what needed to be done. The usual suspects were related to how poorly organized the US public transportation system was, the struggle that most people have to go through to make a living, the arrogance of our government and businesses, the vacuity of our popular culture.

Now, all of these things may still be true. However, I really do not find these observations alone nor the conclusions about what should be done about them particularly compelling anymore. This morning some friends of mine and I really had our first cup of coffee together. I take seriously the doings of the federal government and the potential loss of civil liberties that may be occurring. But I just am not surprised by how we have responded in the US. Given our sense of apartness from the rest of the world as a whole that preceded last September and our relative withdrawal from the political processes for a long time now the reaction is not surprising. But additionally, I am not that agitated about what has happened. I really don't think that the changes that are occuring *now* are really so unthinkable.

I don't fancy myself as particularly complacent nor especially politically active. I just think that some of my brothers and sisters whose voiced reactions have been primarily linked to a criticism of the current administration are missing much of the significance of what is going on.

I think that many in our culture are being reoriented to our position in the world. Perhaps we are a part of it (as we always ahve been). And despite our previous convictions, perhaps we are not really meant to change the world in quite the way we thought. Perhaps, our imperfect world is in some senses, necessarily intractably mismanaged and abused. This in no way excuses any abuses of persons in our prisons or bellicose talk on our part or secret deals to bring about the deaths of people that threaten us. But perhaps being American now is to recognize that we are incapable of changing our world through financial and military coercion alone.

St. Alban's Chapel and Episcopal University Center at Louisiana State University

We are easy to find. If you are passing through Louisiana come and see us. On the second Sunday of each month we will even feed you.

hello

G'day and bonjour to the rest of you too. Bene Diction sent me a message to check the MartinRothOnline commentary blog. Too my surprise I found our site listed there. Thanks a lot Bene Diction!

By the way, I want to hasten to add that despite our not being the crossroads of the globe we have some variety down here that I think many would find interesting. Please consider communicating with us if you find yourself in this part of the world. The strength of this area is food, not roads. We can help out with advice in both departments.

alancreech | home

I just was reading Mr. Creech's blog and I enoyed it. I am procrastinating just a little bit by doing this right now as I should be studying for a midterm tomorrow (Master's Program in Library and Information Science). But I just found this inspiring. I am moved by the number of people whose writing is out there for others to find. More than anything I find the idea of the weblog from a standpoint that considers the existence of a Creator as more than just an anthropological curiousity to be extremely refreshing. Despite the strong ties I have to my church it can at times seem like there are few others in the culture at large.

I should introduce myself a bit more, my name is Will Monroe and I am married to Heather(who may chime in from time to time). I also live in South Louisiana and have the distinct privilege and blessing to live above my church, work next door (literally) and study just across the road. Hoping I did not mention this before because I thank God every day for this one. I just got started with the weblog a few days ago and settled on the name "pain perdu" for a few reasons.

1. It's one of my favorite forms of sustenance.

2. It means "lost bread" and is what can be done with any bread that has been left out for just a bit too long to be good on its own. Pain perdu is bread brought back to life. Something that was hard as a stone can be made into bread that can feed you. I like this.

I suppose that it's only just in the previous few months that corresponding with others online has become a legitimate form of social engagement for me. The past year and a half of library school along with work in library land has brought me into a an ever closer engagement with the information technology about us. I guess last evening was a kind of breakthrough of sorts. Upon discovery of the Martin Roth collection of Christian blogs last evening it suddenly occured to me that there might indeed be many other converts whose interests and chosen means of expression bore some resemblance to mine.

I spent most of my life in the Western United States. I would have to say that there is little doubt that the kind of gregarious community I have found here at my church, St. Alban's, is unique. Someone reading might immediately recall surrondings that suggest other unique collections of people who I missed. I suppose that I missed out on this goodness and friendship that can be found anywhere during my tenure under the open skies.

That being said, despite the strong religious stripes of my corner of the world the limited scope of vision for us down here reminds us of other places, times and people we have met along the way. I am reminded of how much I have enjoyed these encounters. Would that this would be a means of having more opportunities to befriend others.

But does it work?