Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

future

  • Using Words We have a communication problem in the church. About change, tradition, our existing culture. We struggle to understand each other when we talk about our liturgy and our patterns of worship and our expectations of leadership. We argue that we want our church to have a more engaged role in the community, but…

  • Yesterday, I wrote a bummer of a piece telling you that you would most certainly fail. That great New Year’s resolution to lose weight or not eat chocolate? Sorry. You’ve already failed, you just might not know it yet. And that resolution to read everyday, that’s hanging by a thread. That was yesterday. Today I’m…

  • Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If you are like the millions who do, you no doubt find that they are always harder than they seem. Looking back at the last few years, many of us recognize a pretty poor track record. Even the words “New Year’s resolution” conjures thoughts of failure and personal experiences…

  • I like my fortune cookies to contain fortunes. It seems like a necessary part of the deal. Being in the name. That’s what I expect: a fortune. That’s also what I want. I take a moment, thinking of what I am in most need of, and crack open the cookie. Sometimes I don’t get a…

  • My brain is intent on proving me wrong. More than a decade ago, when my two closest friends were living in East Lansing, I moved down to join them.  Having only visited the apartment once or twice, and not knowing the area very well, I was confident that I knew the way to get there;…

  • In 2008, we were # 1. In 2009, we became #2. In 2010, we dropped to #3 in the world. In just two years, we went from playing world leader to catch up with China and Germany in the alternative energy market.  As Gov. Jennifer Granholm highlights in this piece for the Huffington Post.  Personally,…