by John Ellis Nearing three months of age, our new daughter is entering a fun stage of development. All stages of a child’s growth are fun, to be sure, but there are certain stages that are extra interesting because those changes are not just physical but also existential and phenomenological. During her first few weeks … Continue reading The Phenomenology of Teaghan
Tag: parenting
Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
by John Ellis My pastor, while quoting a Nirvana lyric during a sermon, accidentally got the number of years that have passed since the song’s release wrong, and then looked at me in way that even my non-Nirvana fan wife picked up on. After the service, he made a beeline to me – well, as … Continue reading Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
For the Love of Myths, Fast-Food Chains, and Fungible Truth: How Expressive Individualism Determines “Truth”
by John Ellis Did you know that being either right brained or left brained isn’t a thing? I mean, it’s a thing; it’s just not a real thing – it’s not a true thing. It’s a myth. A neuromyth, to be specific. Don’t tell people that, though. If you do, be aware that you do … Continue reading For the Love of Myths, Fast-Food Chains, and Fungible Truth: How Expressive Individualism Determines “Truth”
There Is No Such Thing as a Backup Parent
by John Ellis I recently watched The Descendants starring George Clooney. While the movie is merely okay, one of its main premises is an honest portrayal of much of parenting in society. Tragically, it’s probably even more accurate when the lens narrows onto the evangelical culture. The movie’s inciting incident is a boat accident that … Continue reading There Is No Such Thing as a Backup Parent
In Celebration of My Son Who Turns 10 Today
by John Ellis Upon finding out that my wife was expecting our second child, I began praying for another daughter. With a highly intelligent little girl filled with curiosity and creativity lording over our household, I couldn’t imagine how a boy could best the advantages of having another girl. To be sure, my daughter had … Continue reading In Celebration of My Son Who Turns 10 Today
A Tribute to My Mom
My mom with her her precious grandkids a few weeks before she met Jesus face-to-face. by John Ellis Years before the most recent financial crisis turned “staycation” into a buzzword, my mom was planning our family’s staycations. As a Christian schoolteacher married to an independent, fundamentalist Baptist pastor, she turned resourcefulness into a finely honed … Continue reading A Tribute to My Mom
Death’s Unnatural Intrusion Into Childhood
(I wrote this in early 2016, and it remains one of my favorite articles that I've written.) by John Ellis Assuming normal physiology, humans don’t begin to taste deeply of physical death until sometime in their twenties. The day to day existence of children is punctuated by life. The brain is awakening – new sounds, … Continue reading Death’s Unnatural Intrusion Into Childhood
Practically Known Theology 