In 1970, Merle Haggard released a song called “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” It had been 10 years since he’d been released from San Quentin Prison where he’d been an inmate when Johnny Cash played his famous concert. Haggard’s life had taken a turn since being released from prison, and in 1972 he received aContinue reading ““The Fightin’ Side of Me””
Author Archives: javenbear
three
a simple song on the night of another friend’s passing — this world has become too much to bear, even our lord he was prone to despair, my god my god why have you forsaken me, i thought there is no shadow of turning with thee, – but in me, but in me, there areContinue reading “three”
The Way of Trump and the Way of Jesus
I recently wrote an article which I then took down, and I issued an apology. I want to be really clear why that was: I had worked to guess at the emotional experience of those really like Donald Trump. My sensemaking did not land with some folks, and they felt very upset. So in thisContinue reading “The Way of Trump and the Way of Jesus”
Retraction; Apology
I recently published an article titled “Orange Man and the Juice.” Some of you may have read it here or maybe got an email in your inbox and read it there. Or maybe I decided to take it down before you even seen it. A thoughtful reader reached out to me a few hours afterContinue reading “Retraction; Apology”
Black Light
Two Memories I’m fascinated by black light. When you turn off the everyday overhead light sources and turn on an ultraviolet, you see things you had know idea were there. In my senior year of college, I was recording a weekly podcast with my best friend. I was taking a theology class called Critical Issues,Continue reading “Black Light”
“Down”
One morning in September, I found myself sitting in a swivel chair on the fourth floor with about twenty people. A mandatory training given by our newly appointed “leader.” From my seat, I could see the ground outside where people walked who were not trapped inside that cacophony of jabbering, belittling nonsense. I wanted toContinue reading ““Down””
August Reflections and Photos
I wanted to write a post tonight, and my thoughts are a little scattered. So I will, and it will be about what’s happening in my life, some reflection on books I’m reading, and a few photos. What is happening There are only snapshots of my life where I have not been in school. AContinue reading “August Reflections and Photos”
Fourth Time’s the Charm
Hello friends! My new project is out now – I’m so excited to share it with you. You can hear the full album using the links below, and you can read more about the project here. Many thanks to those who helped and to those who listen along. The easiest way to listen is toContinue reading “Fourth Time’s the Charm”
New Music Coming Soon
I am excited to be releasing a new collection of songs later this month *hopefully*. If you are a subscriber, you’ll get an email with these songs – if not, you can become one with button below. About the Album This is my fourth collection of songs, and it’s called Fourth Time’s the Charm. AllContinue reading “New Music Coming Soon”
Nonviolent Communication
“There’s only two things that human beings are ever saying: please and thank you.” That line is from Marshall Rosenberg in one of his trainings on nonviolent communication. I have become very interested in his method, and I decided I would try to review here what I learned from reading his book. In this methodContinue reading “Nonviolent Communication”
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