No choice

After Galatians 3:1-9

Rote, law, repetition

correct phrases

correct responses

law, legalisms, works

what you do

or

spirit, freedom, faith,

belief

you know the answer

the choice: a dead end

or an open road

I question why

and who has hustled you

into the dead end; tell me.

Or did you find it

on your own?

Saturday Good Reads

The description of America as a “city on a hill” has been around for a long time, or has it? Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition has the history of the phrase.

Aaron Earls at The Wardrobe Door argues that Christians must embrace the role of villain in the years to come, while Tim Challies describes a “model of determination.”

Some previously unreleased recordings of Robert Frost reciting his poems, an essay on the paintings of Rembrandt by Russ Ramsey at The Rabbit Room, wonderful photography, a fact check on Macbeth, and more.

By the way, the video of Robert Frost reading “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is not part of the previously unreleased recordings – it’s actually a coincidence that I scheduled it for the same week that the Penn story on Frost came out.

Life and Culture

An FAQ on America as a “City on a Hill” – Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition.

Getting Ready to Cycle the Glasshouse Mountains – Neil Ennis.

Why Readers See The Times as Liberal – Liz Spayd, New York Times.

Poetry

Tradition – James E. Allman Jr. at Curator Magazine.

A Word the Romans Used – Ned Balbo at First Things Magazine.

Give Me Poetry or Give Me Death – Jerry Barrett at Gerald the Writer.

Previously Unreleased Recordings of Robert Frost Reading His Poetry – University of Pennsylvania (the recordings themselves are here).

Faith

A Model of Determination – Tim Challies at Informing the Reforming.

Christians Must Embrace the Role of Villains – Aaron Earls at The Wardrobe Door.

10 Things You Should Know about Thomas Aquinas – Sam Storms at Enjoying Faith.

Art and Photography

Democratic Spaces – Kate Medley at Oxford American.

Summer Wildflowers – Tim Good at Pics, Poems, and Ponderings.

Echo Water – Jack Baumgartner at The School of the Transfer of Energy.

Art Stories: Connecting Mastery and Joy – Russ Ramsey at The Rabbit Room.

British Stuff

The Scottish Play and the Real Macbeth – Julian Harrison at the British Library.

Robert Frost reads “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Painting: The Artist’s Sister at a Window (1869), oil on canvas by Berthe Morisot; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The promise passes

After Joshua 1:1-9

The promise passes one

to another. The task is always

incomplete, unfinished;

the time comes to pass

what was promised so that

no one can stand, will stand

before you. You have

this promise.

So go.

Go forward

even if it is forward

into the unknown

into the darkness

You will have light;

be strong, have

courage.

Photograph by Consuelo Suarez via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.