catapult magazine Hope and Cynicism

vol. 6, num. 22 :: 2007.11.30 — 2007.12.14

The temptation is strong, as we navigate daily through a broken world, to submit to the despair of cynicism. And yet we know hope is valid and necessary. So how do we maintain hope without closing ourselves off to reality? How do we entertain essential critique without becoming immobilized by powerlessness?

Feature

Teach us to number our days, oh Lord

by Molly Sabourin

A thorough explanation of what it means to make every day significant.

Thy will be done

by Molly Sabourin

Explores the spiritual discipline of releasing long-term personal expectations in exchange for more microscopic endeavors toward becoming like Christ.

Acquire the Spirit of peace

by Molly Sabourin

How would such a pursuit our families, our community, and our society at large?

Editorial

Haunted by hope

by Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma

A reflection on expectations at the initiation of another Advent.

Articles

Anarchism and hope

by Jason Barr

An exploration of the definition of anarchism and what Kingdom truth it can speak into contemporary culture.

Strategies for hope

by B. Elaine Bryant

On working for hope and peace as an intercessor and a grappler.

Dreamers vs. Dreamingers

by Adam Smit

A freelance development worker reports on the state of Africa and his own sense of hope.

Remembering hope

by Jeffrey Bouman

With daily reminders of all of the reasons we have to despair, how can anyone possibly hold onto hope?

Shreds of hope

by Troy Cady

The prayers, poems, verses and quotes that help form an understanding of hope.

Reality and hope

by Barbara Lee

A pastor presents a message of Advent hope to a small congregation in the middle of uncertainty.

Reviews

Hocynipecism

by Raymond Blanton

Emotional gleanings from the film Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

Grant’s recommendations 11.30.07

by Grant Elgersma

Two documentaries, with Sicko telling the sad story of U.S. healthcare and Let the Church Say Amen telling the story of a small congregation in Washington, D.C.

An ordinary day

by Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma

A review of Gus Van Sant’s Elephant, a film depicting a high school shooting that is alternately sensitive and detached.

Gallery

On Such a Winter's Day

by Neil E. Das

The Sun Always Shines After the Rain

by Raymond Blanton

Weaving the web

Workshop Audio

Cynicism & Hope Conference

Hear sessions from this fall’s Cynicism & Hope Conference, sponsored by Reba Place Fellowship in Chicago.

Why we don’t give

Jewcy

Laurel Snyder offers up a jolt of charity reality for today's twenty- and thirty-somethings.

Hope and uncertainty…in Bosnia and beyond

Comment

Slavica Jakelic writes about obstacles to hope and cultural tranformation in Bosnia.

daily asterisk

Even in a country you know by heart
its hard to go the same way twice
the life of the going changes.
The chances change and make a new way.
Any tree or stone or bird
can be the bud of a new direction. The
natural correction is to make intent
of accident. To get back before dark
is the art of going.

Wendell Berry
“Traveling at Home” from Traveling at Home