Jul 26, 2007 

Motherland Afghanistan


One of our close friends and neighbors was a producer of the documentary Motherland Afghanistan. We recently rented it from Netflix and recommend it. It's pretty heart-breaking, but passionate and thought-provoking as well.


Here's a brief synopsis:

When the United States invaded Afghanistan in October of 2001, Afghan hopes were high that democracy would bring enormous progress for Afghan women in the arena of health and education. But as of 2006 one of their most fundamental rights— adequate health care—has not been met.

In MOTHERLAND AFGHANISTAN, Afghan American filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi journeys to the heart of this medical tragedy by following her father's return to Afghanistan to battle one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Dr. Qudrat Mojadidi is an OB/GYN who was forced by political pressures to emigrate from Afghanistan to the U.S. in 1972. In 2003, nearly two years after the Taliban’s fall, he is invited by the U.S. government to help rehabilitate the largest women’s hospital in the country, Rabia Balkhi, now under U.S. sponsorship with a newly re-named Laura Bush Maternity Ward. He returns to his homeland with great hopes that with U.S. funding, he can help set in motion the large-scale changes necessary to stem the epidemic of maternal mortality in the country.

Set against the backdrop of a land in turmoil and transition, this inspiring film reveals the devastating stories behind a reproductive health crisis essentially neglected by the Western media and provides a rare glimpse into the heart of humanity through the quiet deeds of those who attempt to heal.

1:48 PM | | | links to this post

Jul 25, 2007 

Multiplying Churches

Wow! I just heard some very surprising news. Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan has just been ranked the #1 multiplying church in America. I'm not entirely sure of the value of such a poll or ranking report, but it was encouraging nonetheless to see Redeemer included in such a list. As those of you who know me are aware, I have just completed a year-long internship in Redeemer's church planting Fellows program. We hope in the near future to continue Redeemer's efforts through this church planting work in Brooklyn. The most recurring question from friends and family regarding our involvement in this work is the following: "Why plant churches?" Here is Redeemer's brief rationale.

A major part of Redeemer's "missional" emphasis is to start new churches. New York continues to be the single most influential city in the U.S. (and perhaps in the world.) In general, as this city goes, so goes U.S. society. A major wave of immigration is changing NYC from an Irish/Italian/Jewish city into a multi-ethnic city drawn mainly from the southern and eastern hemispheres where Christianity is growing the fastest. This could radically change NYC from a largely secular city at its core to a faith-filled city through church planting.

These are churches which will not live to simply accrue power and status for themselves but to serve the city (especially the poor) and renew the culture for Christ.

Redeemer Church Planting Center (RCPC) has been established to achieve this vision. Through its ministry it hopes to fill greater NY with new gospel-centered churches to truly renew our city and through it the world.


If you'd like to hear more go to this page and watch a video by Tim Keller or read some of his papers on the subject.

8:34 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 21, 2007 

In Praise of Taste

As an ordination gift one of my community groups at our church gave me a gift certificate to our favorite neighborhood restaurant: Applewood. Laura and I were able to cash in a week ago on the eve of the twins' birthday. So we celebrated having survived three years with them, as well as the first anniversary of our move to New York. Enjoying a transporting dinner was the perfect way for us to give thanks. The God-given faculty of mankind to truly taste, in distinction from all God's other lesser creatures, is a privilege for and with which we give thanks to God--and we do so in feasts on special occasions. So it is especially appropriate to increase our thanks by marveling at truly artistic taste-makers when the opportunity is available. It is at this point that one goes beyond thanking God for sustenance and begins to thank him for taste-buds! This evening was one of those awesome and sumptuous occasions. To set the scene, you ought to know that Applewood holds only fifty-some people, and they allowed us to sit there for 3 hours--a blessing usually only afforded in Europe. So here were some of the tastes we enjoyed, without commentary:

We started by sharing a sweet corn margarita made with cinnamon scented corn milk, jalapeno infused Sauza blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, and lime juice. We then decided to dine from the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings. (Unfortunately Applewood did not write down the names of the wines on this menu, so I only remember one.) As we were waiting they brought out some different specialty breads and provided a plate with some whipped and creamy butter, a goose pate, and a bean spread. While we were happily awaiting our first course our waiter brought to our table a surprise plate "compliments of the chef" for our slight wait. It was veal sweetbread on sauteed shallots with mint sauce, and gratis. Then the tasting menu proper began.

The first course was hibiscus-coriander cured sea trout with jicama slaw and mint oil. They paired this with a dry white.

The second course was sauteed labelle farms foie gras with fresh peaches and pluots. This was paired with a very fruity and bold white, almost dessert, wine. Here I break my promise about no commentary. This was the most interesting course of the night. I've had foie gras once before and it was good, cooked in the style of a petite andouillette. But this foie gras put that one to shame. It was honestly one of the most lovely tastes I've ever experienced. It was a very small steak of foie gras, seared and scored. The warm juices of the liver immediately burst in your mouth. I made this three-biter stretch out into about eight. And the fruit on the plate and the sweet wine sent you palette to the other extreme. The sweet wine seemed to me like an odd choice at first, but it really held its own and made the course unique and interesting.

The third course was grilled and braised Vermont goat with with lacinata kale and blue cheese fondue. The wine with this was a heavenly Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc, North Coast 2005.

The fourth course was a selection of domestic artisanal cheeses, paired with dry red.

The dessert course was lemon shortbread with rum ice cream and caramel peaches, paired with a true dessert wine.


Thank you so much for this gift, Union Street community group! It was really special.


8:07 PM | | | links to this post

Jul 20, 2007 

Tees!













A friend of mine here in Brooklyn recently launched a new t-shirt company called Star76. Give them a look and throw them some business here. I've been told that they have a whole new line coming out in the next couple weeks, so check back on their site soon for more. And here's a blurb on their motivations for starting Star76:

As all good tales begin, ours started with a back-of-the envelope business plan, scribbled out on the 4th of July 2006. The plan became Star76: a creative collective dedicated to creating imaginative clothing and accessories through collaborations with local emerging artists. (This seemed way more interesting than our respective day jobs in non-profit consulting and publishing). Our passion for fresh art and ideas coupled with our desire to change the world (or at least make it a little more livable), also led us to create the Ad Astra Initiative, Star76's t-shirt driven program dedicated to raising public awareness of and supporting causes near and dear to our hearts. The way fashion and art inform and influence one another, tees discovered on trips across the globe, Sunkist orange soda in a can, Pedro Almodovar films, The Band That Saved The World, and doing the right thing are just some of our shared passions. We are blessed to add to this list the act of bringing together the coolest people we know to make amazing art, to create without restraint.

10:26 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 19, 2007 

Random Summer Pictures

#1- Hiking across the Brooklyn Bridge

#2- Irresistible pout


#3- My downstairs neighbor T-Bone, who is currently the tour-drummer for DMX, made these shades for me. They're being rocked by my friend 'Steady', as I don't have the requisite panache.


#4- Showing off his fly new wet-suit-ish swimming gear, with which he's hoping to soon woo back his old girlfriend Adison at the beach.


#5- Mi' pearly whites

8:38 AM | | | links to this post

 

Explosion in Manhattan


Since I'm not sure how much national coverage this story is getting, I thought I'd point your attention to it here. There was a large explosion in Midtown last night which caused fears of another terrorist attack. You can read the story here.

6:43 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 18, 2007 

The Road

As a Texan I have long been interested in the work of Cormac McCarthy. I recently finished this novel and will now encourage friends to start with The Road if they intend to dive into McCarthy for the first time. Here's a brief, non-insightful snippet I wrote for my new Shelfari page. (Incidentally, you should all sign up for a free Shelfari account and add me as a friend so that I can read your book recommendations.)"Dark and apocalyptic as usual, this novel is also Cormac McCarthy's most personal and moving. I loved my children more when I finished. Up there with All The Pretty Horses as his best work to date that I've read."

As another argument for the use of Shelfari, I immediately received this interesting note from one "DonnaA" in response to my post on The Road: "I read your note on THE ROAD and found it insightful. Think about this: CM [Cormac McCarthy] is an elderly literature professor with a 7 year old son. He has written many books that leave the reader with no hope for the future. This is not one of them. The ending of this book is hopeful. Compare it to the last paragraphs of GATSBY. Both speak to the possibilities of time: that goodness has a chance. The boy is an allegorical figure not for the sacrificed Christ, but for the teaching and leading Christ. The allusions are overwhelming. He was anointed, he carried the fire, he was the good guy, he had the breath of God, he came out on the third day, he was responsible for all men. No literature professor would do this without intending to do it. I find it amazing that someone that has written as much darkness as CM still sees hope for this world...and that he sees it through love and goodness." An interesting take at any rate, and a reason to hope for some benefit from my new Shelfari account. Happy reading!

11:57 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 13, 2007 

Twins wave 'bye to the Terrible Twos



Today is Arthur and Adaline's third birthday. We're throwing them and their friends a small party tomorrow morning. So I may have more pictures soon. But here are some for now.

3:20 PM | | | links to this post

 

Hatin' the Slope

A couple posts ago I linked an article entitled "The Park Slope Parent Trap" and mentioned that the woman in the lead photograph is a congregant at our church, Park Slope Presbyterian. Mildly interesting, until I heard that the woman in question was upset by some comments being directed at her and her children by complete strangers over here on Gawker. So I gave it a look to see what the fuss was about. (Warning: the comments following the editorial on gawker are filled with expletives and the most extreme display of vitriol.) Since I know the photographed woman I followed this heated display with more concern than I might otherwise have done. Observing such hate toward Park Slope and one particular segment of the Park Slope demographic is curious to me. I have some suspicions why 'Park Slope' as a symbol and certain Slopers are so threatening to many. But I've decided that I'm going to try to find time in the next week or two to write an article about this phenomenon. I'm going to call it "Hating Thy Neighbor; What's the big deal with Park Slope?" I may even try to shop it around. If I don't find time to write a polished version or no one is interested in publishing it I'll probably just end up posting it here on shookfoil.

And here's an article in The New York Observer called The New Victorians that describes another, potentially related, new breed of New Yorkers.

2:52 PM | | | links to this post

Jul 12, 2007 

6 a.m. delirium

7:21 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 11, 2007 

slow to the punch

I was going to blog and post pictures about our experience with this last night, but my feedreader just informed me that my wife just beat me to the punch. Oh well, she did better than I would have anyway. I'll only add that watching my kids watch their first fireworks was probably one of my most gratifying and joyful experiences as a parent so far.

2:57 PM | | | links to this post

 

Park Slope Parents Trap

This New York Times article from last Sunday is worth a look if you non-Brooklynite readers are interested in the "feel" of (part of) our neighborhood. The article itself is not terrific as it seems to me to be in search of a point, but it shares some funny anecdotes of particular issues facing some who live in Park Slope. Oh, and that picture at the top is of one of our congregants and her children; I'm not even sure she knows. I'll have to tell her when I see her.

11:15 AM | | | links to this post

Jul 4, 2007 

if you can't take the heat


This is a picture of our kitchen (the largest in NYC, by the way!) taken by my friend Jeff Meyers. More of Jeff's nifty pictures from his visit to Brooklyn for my ordination can be here found at SmugMug.

8:19 PM | | | links to this post