Author: Kern Family

Welcome to The Keep. We're Alan and Joelle Kern, and this blog serves as our family's digital journal. Here we share our experiences as parents to Luke, Levi, and Aletheia, along with our faithful dog, Augustine (Gus). Alan's background spans from military service to evangelical ministry, and now to software engineering with a focus on AI. When he’s not working on a company project, he’s playing sports with the kids, gardening, or reading about a new branch of knowledge he hasn’t explored yet. Joelle is the cornerstone of our home life. She manages the kids’ homeschool and is passionate about developing our backyard into a sustainable food forest. You can usually find her helping lead our local homeschool co-op committee or taking the kids out to a sunny park day with friends. We’re looking to answer the question: what would happen if you threw away conventional thought about everything and worked tirelessly toward finding and pursuing the Good and the True? We hope this leads us to paths that will stretch us beyond a conventional American lifestyle and into a life of purpose and joy.

The Pure Love of God

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Love, But Not Quite

Love is a word we use often, but its true depth is something many of us never fully grasp. We experience love in various forms—toward a partner, a friend, a child, or a cause we’re passionate about. Despite its beauty, however, human love often feels incomplete. There’s always something holding us back, a sense that we’re not able to fully give ourselves to the people we care about. This isn’t necessarily because we lack the desire to love completely, but rather because our very nature, shaped by past experiences and deep-seated fears, often prevents us from fully opening our hearts.

Why Can’t We Love Like We Mean It?

Our ability to love is often compromised by our own psychological limitations. The fear of vulnerability can be paralyzing. To love deeply is to expose ourselves, to risk being hurt or rejected. This fear leads us to build walls around our hearts, holding back parts of ourselves to avoid the pain that might come with true openness.

Instead of embracing love with open arms, we approach it cautiously, protecting ourselves from the very thing we most desire. Our instinct for self-preservation, hardwired into us by years of emotional conditioning, makes us wary of giving too much, lest we lose ourselves or get hurt in the process. The traumas of our past, whether they involve betrayal, loss, or abandonment, leave lasting scars that create emotional blockages. These wounds linger in our psyches, silently shaping how we engage in relationships, often making it difficult to trust or to love without fear. Even when we want to love fully, these unresolved pains keep us tethered to old wounds, limiting our ability to give ourselves completely.

And then there’s the issue of ego. We want to be loved, but often on our own terms. We cling to control, wanting to protect our sense of self and maintain our own interests. This pride can make it difficult to truly surrender to love, as we hold back, giving conditionally rather than fully. These psychological barriers—fear, self-preservation, past traumas, and ego—are deeply rooted, and they make it nearly impossible for us to love with the selflessness and purity that we might aspire to.

A Love That Knows No Limits

But there is a love that knows no such limitations—a love that is completely untainted by the flaws that hold us back. God’s love stands in stark contrast to our own. Where we are afraid, God’s love is bold and unreserved. Where we hold back out of self-preservation, God gives of Himself fully and without hesitation. Unlike our love, which is often shaped by past hurts, God’s love is pure and unchanging, not swayed by fear or the need to protect Himself. It is a love that pours out endlessly, without expectation or condition, without even a hint of self-interest. In God, there are no walls, no barriers, no ego—just a fierce, passionate love that seeks only to give, to heal, and to embrace.

To imagine what it would be like to love as God loves is to step into a realm of love that is beyond our human understanding. It is a love that is entirely selfless, a love that does not waver or withdraw, even when faced with rejection or pain. To love like God is to love with a heart that is wide open, unguarded, and unafraid—a heart that seeks only the good of the other, without any thought of self. This is a love that we, as humans, can only strive to imitate in small ways, as we work to transcend the limitations that hold us back. Yet, even in our imperfect attempts, we can catch glimpses of this divine love, and these glimpses can be transformative, guiding us toward a greater capacity to love others more selflessly.

The Kind of Love That Changes Everything

But perhaps more important than our attempts to imitate this love is the recognition of how deeply we are loved by God. Reflecting on this love should leave us in awe—it’s a love that is so different from our own experiences that it can be difficult to fully comprehend. Romans 8 reminds us of the unbreakable, unyielding nature of this love, a love that is life-changing and edifying. Yet, despite its constancy, we often need to refresh our minds and hearts to truly grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us. We need to continually remind ourselves that God’s love is not like human love, with its flaws and limitations. It is a love that showers us with grace, that pursues us relentlessly, and that remains steadfast even when we falter.

A Love Worth Dwelling On

Contemplating on this divine love will allow it to renew our spirits and transform the way we love others. Let us strive to love more selflessly, to break free from the chains of fear, ego, and past pain. And let us dwell on the truth that we are already loved beyond measure by a God whose love knows no bounds—a love that is worth reflecting on, worth striving for, and worth celebrating every day.

Tribute to My Father, Paul Kern (1972-2024)

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Rest in peace, Paul Alan Kern (1972-2024).

There’s a lot in this story. It will be difficult to capture the whole portrait of who he was, but I will do my best:

Audacious, proud, fiercely passionate, deeply emotional, reserved but charismatic. A rebel without a cause.

He drops out of school around junior high and gets involved in the gangs of LA in the 1980’s.

He falls in love, gets married in his teens, and fathers two sons. Things do not go well. Devastated by a divorce, he retreats back to his parents’ house with his two young boys.

Life as a single dad is unconventional. He gets the crazy idea to unschool the boys—he doesn’t like the system but doesn’t have an alternative. He can’t do beyond elementary math, so he does his best to print worksheets, collect books, and share his love of reading.

While on a walk, he discovers a kendo dojo and a Japanese community in the late 90’s and signs his boys up. It becomes an incubator, deeply forming the three. He paints helicopters, works on cars, and does manual labor on the side to scrape by.

Having had a good experience in the Japanese community, he signs his sons up to a Japanese baseball team, and somehow winds up as the head coach. He leads a ragtag team named the Samurais through a few leagues and across several years and is celebrated as a beloved coach.

He decides one day the boys need to at least attend middle school. So he finds a small private Lutheran school to enroll them in despite being strapped for cash. It’s hard to keep them out of trouble, especially the oldest.

The family has all sorts of adventures together. Life is good living in LA with the grandparents and the boys tucked into one small and cozy house.

Things slow down a bit as the boys get into public high school. Their grades are terrible, and sometimes it seems they might slide into his old ways.

But he was unaware of one thing. He left an old worn Bible on the shelf of the room they shared, the one his father recommended, the one he used to try to turn his life around. He didn’t know that one of his sons was wrestling with existential questions and finding his way into it, looking for answers. This son has a life-altering spiritual experience while reading the letters of St. Paul and commits himself to Christ. The two boys, transformed significantly, set out to forge their own path.

They scrap their way into community college, then into a small Christian college further out of the city, and then into jobs. It was time for them to leave home on their own adventures away from dad, bringing the glory days with his sons to an end. What was left for him to do?

He meanders for a bit, but finally musters up the will at 50 years old to get his GED and enroll in community college courses.

He’s brilliant and loved by students and professors. He excels at his studies and gets accepted into UCLA. He attends and has the time of his life studying his favorite subject, history, in the kind of environment he always longed for. He TA’s for a tenured professor and begins envisioning plans to teach abroad.

He studies in the day and spends his afternoons helping his mother caretake for his father, who passes away at a ripe old age. He dreams of new lands, a fresh start, and another chapter.

Sadly, he will never go on to finish his degree. Suddenly and quickly, he is overtaken by heart failure. He fights and rebels even in his last moments. He breathes his last in the company of his family and friends, the blazing path of a maverick at last snuffed out.

And so ends the earthly tale of Paul Kern.

There’s no way I can get to everything: the brotherhood he found in the gangs, the days spent speeding down California highways in our 70’s pickup truck, his acting career in Hollywood, his Jiu Jitsu training with the Gracie’s, his first drafts at an adventure novel, his struggle with being something of a Jon Snow (let the reader understand).

He nursed many wounds and traumas privately by himself. Yes, he was full of flaws, but it’s easy to say that. It’s much harder to understand the whole man, what he overcame, and ultimately what he accomplished, not only by himself but through the sons he staked everything on.

His life is a lesson that it’s never too late to write the second half of your tale, that God can slowly mend the pieces that shattered in you long ago, and that the love you pour into your children and those you influence will sprout like olive shoots, leafing and branching out across the flow of time, bearing good fruit for the earth and blessing descendants for thousands of years to come.

But I’ve waxed eloquent long enough. I really have a simple message to deliver: I loved my dad, and I’m forever grateful I got to be his son.

I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The End of the World is Just the Beginning, a New Dark Age, and the Benedictine Rule

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A World in Transition: Waning U.S. Influence and the Rise of New Powers

In an era where the United States’ global influence appears to be waning, one can’t help but draw parallels to the fall of the Roman Empire. Such shifts often usher in periods of uncertainty and upheaval. Yet history provides us with a blueprint for resilience. When Rome fell, the Benedictine communities emerged as beacons of stability, preserving and nurturing European culture through the Dark Ages. Today, their principles offer valuable lessons for navigating our own uncertain future.

The Implications of Waning U.S. Influence

Peter Zeihan, geopolitical analyst, argues that the decline of U.S. naval power and the rise of competing powers will lead to a reconfiguration of global dynamics. Historically, the U.S. has maintained open sea lanes for international trade, ensuring a level of global stability. Without this stabilizing force, we could see increased regional conflicts, piracy, and disruptions in global trade routes​ (Zeihan on Geopolitics)​.

Zeihan suggests that the U.S. might retract from its extensive international commitments, leading to a more fragmented and unstable world order. This retraction could force many nations to fend for themselves, resulting in economic downturns and political unrest. The interconnected global economy, reliant on U.S. protection and trade, may struggle to adapt to this new reality.

The potential for such a fragmented global landscape mirrors the chaos following the fall of the Roman Empire. Europe, once unified under Roman rule, splintered into isolated and often warring states. And from this chaos emerged the Benedictine communities, the rich soil from which European culture through the Dark Ages emerged.

The Benedictine Blueprint: A Guiding Light for Modern Times

The Benedictine Rule offers principles that I believe can help modern communities thrive amidst uncertainty. Saint Benedict of Nursia established this rule in the 6th century to guide monastic life, emphasizing moderation, community, and a Christ-centered existence. These principles proved vital in stabilizing and rebuilding society during the Dark Ages, and they can offer valuable lessons for us today.

Moderation: The Key to Stability

The Benedictine Rule emphasizes a balanced life, advocating for neither excess nor deprivation. In a world obsessed with consumption, this principle of moderation is a refreshing counterbalance. By focusing on essential needs and sustainable living, communities can build resilience against economic shocks and maintain a sense of stability.

For modern Christians, practicing moderation means reducing dependency on global supply chains and focusing on local, sustainable resources. It involves a shift from a consumer-driven lifestyle to one that prioritizes long-term well-being over short-term gratification. This approach not only fosters personal contentment but also strengthens the community as a whole.

If the supply chain and trade routes are vulnerable, why would you not begin to practice moderation and self-sufficiency today at least as an effort to hedge?

Community: The Foundation of Resilience

The Benedictine emphasis on community living provides a framework for building strong, supportive networks. Benedictine monks thrived in close-knit communities where mutual aid and cooperation were paramount. This sense of belonging and mutual support was the glue that held everything together, enabling them to withstand external pressures and internal challenges.

In today’s context, fostering community means investing time and effort in building local networks. This can be through family gatherings, neighborhood groups, or church activities. Strong local ties create a safety net that can provide support during times of crisis. By nurturing these connections, modern Christians can create resilient communities capable of facing an uncertain future.

Christocentric Humility: A Path to Unity

Central to the Benedictine lifestyle is a focus on humility and living a life centered around Christ. This wasn’t merely personal piety but a community-wide ethos that valued every member and sought to live out Christian teachings in daily life. Humility fostered a culture of service and compassion, ensuring that the needs of the community were always prioritized over individual desires.

For modern Christians, maintaining a Christ-centered focus in community activities is essential. Encouraging practices that promote humility, service, and compassion can help communities stay grounded and united. This spiritual foundation is crucial for maintaining cohesion and purpose, even in the face of adversity.

Building Resilient Communities

Drawing inspiration from the Benedictine Rule, modern Christians can take practical steps to build resilient communities:

  1. Local Networks: Invest in building strong local networks. This can be through family gatherings, neighborhood groups, or local churches. Strong local ties create a safety net so that you can have friends to welcome you into eternal dwellings (Luke 16:9)
  2. Sustainable Living: Embrace a lifestyle of moderation and sustainability. Reduce dependency on global supply chains by supporting local businesses and adopting self-sufficient practices like gardening, local trade, and permaculture practices like food forestry.
  3. Spiritual Focus: Maintain a Christ-centered focus in community activities. Encourage practices that promote humility, service, and compassion. This spiritual foundation can help communities remain cohesive and purpose-driven.

Rising from the Ashes: The New Benedictine Age

When the Roman Empire crumbled, it wasn’t the end—it was a messy, chaotic beginning. The Benedictine monks stepped into this chaos with a revolutionary idea: that even in the darkest times, principles of moderation, community, and humility could spark renewal and growth. As we stand on the brink of our own geopolitical upheaval, there’s a lot we can learn from their playbook.

Imagine a world where communities are built not on the shifting sands of power and wealth, but on the solid ground of shared values and mutual support. These are the bedrocks of resilience. By embracing moderation, fostering tight-knit communities, and living with humility, we can weather whatever storms come our way.

Periods of decline don’t have to spell disaster; they can be opportunities for profound transformation. As global dynamics shift, it might feel like we’re witnessing the end of an era. But more likely, we’re at the dawn of something new. Embracing these changes with wisdom and practical action will help us not just survive, but thrive, paving the way for a resilient and flourishing future.

Why Cursor is the Best AI Coding Assistant

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In the world of AI coding assistants, there are some big names out there: ChatGPT, Codium, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and a few experimental agents. After using many of them, I’ve found that Cursor is a real standout. Here’s a rundown of why I think Cursor is the best of the bunch.

ChatGPT

We all know ChatGPT for its conversational abilities. It’s handy for generating code snippets, debugging, and explaining concepts. However, it requires manual copying and pasting, which can slow down your workflow. It’s great for specific tasks but not as efficient for larger projects. In my experience, around 26% of code suggestions from ChatGPT get accepted by developers 1.

Codium

Codium is quite impressive with over 300,000 monthly active users. It supports more than 40 IDEs and over 70 programming languages 2. The free version is great for individual users, but there’s also a team plan for $19/month 3. Codium’s multi-line auto-completion and AI-powered chat are very useful 4.

Cursor

Now, this is where things get interesting. Cursor is used by tens of thousands of engineers, including folks at Tesla, IBM, Harvard, and MIT 5. One of the things I love about Cursor is that it runs 3x faster with GPT-4 compared to using OpenAI’s API directly 6. It’s also fully compatible with all Visual Studio Code extensions, which makes the transition smooth 7. Cursor offers a free plan and a pro plan at $30/month for full access to its AI capabilities 8.

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is another big player, used by over 20,000 organizations 9. It’s known for boosting productivity—developers using Copilot complete tasks 55% faster 10. About 30% of its suggestions are accepted, leading to an 8.69% increase in pull requests per developer and a 15% increase in pull request merge rates 11. Plus, 75% of developers report feeling more fulfilled using Copilot 12.

Experimental Agents

Experimental agents like AIDR and OpenDevin aim to automate coding tasks but are currently at about 13% efficiency 13. They struggle with task orchestration and memory management, so they’re more of a novelty than a practical tool for now.

Why Cursor Stands Out

Here’s why Cursor stands out for me:

  • Top-notch Autocomplete: Cursor’s autocomplete is more accurate and useful than GitHub Copilot’s.
  • Up-to-date Tech: Cursor uses Cloud 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4.0, ensuring you have access to the latest libraries and technologies 5 7.
  • User-Friendly: It simplifies adding and managing files, speeding up the workflow significantly.
  • All-in-One Solution: Cursor combines the best features of GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, offering seamless code completion and easy file management.

My Experience with Cursor

Using Cursor to develop a life coach AI app has been a game-changer. Implementing new features is a breeze—Cursor handles routes, controllers, services, repositories, and database files quickly. It takes care of the syntax and boilerplate code, leaving me to focus on high-level architecture and problem-solving.

Future Potential

Agents have huge potential. Once they improve memory management and task orchestration, they could revolutionize coding. Imagine an AI that autonomously retrieves context, manages files, and writes code, handling complex tasks seamlessly. But for now, they aren’t ready 13.

One Simple Test to Know if Your Dog is Truly Happy

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The true test of whether a dog is happy with his pack is simple. Put him outside your front door, close it, and see if he stays or runs away.

One afternoon, our dog Augustine (Gus), found himself on the wrong side of that door. We didn’t notice at first because our youngest had accidentally left him out. For about 30 minutes, he waited outside.When we opened the door, Gus was there, just laying down comfortably by the door. He could have wandered off, explored the neighborhood, or chased after any of the countless scents outside. But he didn’t. He stayed close, waiting for us.

[Gus joining us for a car ride]

We often wonder about our dogs’ happiness. Are they content? Could they have a better life elsewhere? It’s easy to think that dogs, with their simple needs, are happy as long as they have food and playthings. But what happens when they’re given the choice to stay or go?

I’ve known dogs that would bolt the moment they saw an open door. I babysat a dog once that darted out as soon as the door cracked open. Growing up, I knew many dogs like this, always ready to seize their chance at freedom, even if just for a brief adventure. They didn’t hesitate; they ran.

This comparison brings into focus the real measure of a dog’s happiness. Some dogs, given the chance, choose to run. Maybe they see the outside world as more exciting, or maybe they don’t feel as connected to their home. But a dog that waits by the door is telling you something profound. They’re saying, “This is my home. This is where I want to be.”

Gus’s choice to stay with us, even when the world was open to him, was a simple but powerful statement. He values our companionship over the unknown. It’s a reminder that true happiness for our dogs isn’t about the things we give them but about the bonds we share.

So, next time you wonder if your dog is happy, think about this simple test. It’s not about how many toys they have or how often they get treats. It’s about where they choose to be when they have the freedom to go anywhere. For Gus, and for many dogs who wait at the door, happiness is being part of their pack. And that’s where they truly find their joy.

Holiness as an Offensive Operation

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In many conservative circles, holiness is often viewed as a call to separate oneself from the world, to avoid its impurities, and to maintain an “otherness” moral purity. This perspective can sometimes lead to a lifestyle that is reclusive, disengaged from culture, and, in many cases, reminiscent of communities like the Amish.

Is this what it means to “be holy as I am holy?” What does the word holy even mean? Here, I’ve been thoroughly convinced by my old Professor, Dr. Peter Gentry, and his exploration of holiness that invites us to rethink these traditional views.

Holiness as Consecration and Devotion

I first heard of Gentry’s position while taking one of his classes at SBTS. I was floored by the implications of what he argued for because I was deeply embedded in conservative circles, and it was easy to understand what he was getting at.

Gentry’s paper for this (linked at the bottom of this post) dives into the biblical concept of holiness, moving beyond the simplistic equation of holiness with mere separation from sin.

He explains that the Hebrew term for holy, קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh), and its Greek counterpart, ἅγιος (hagios), fundamentally mean “consecrated” or “devoted.” This understanding shifts the focus from a defensive stance against worldly influences to a proactive commitment to God and His purposes.

In my view, this broader definition challenges the narrow perspective that holiness is solely about setting oneself apart from the world. Instead, it emphasizes a wholehearted dedication to God that actively seeks to align our lives with His will. It’s about participating in His redemptive mission and living out our faith in a way that impacts the world positively.

The Lexical Background of ‘Qadosh’: Understanding Holiness

Peter Gentry’s examination of the Hebrew term קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh), often translated as “holy,” offers a crucial foundation for rethinking our concept of holiness. Parsing the lexical background of qadosh, Gentry reveals that the term carries a depth of meaning that extends beyond the traditional associations of moral purity or separation from sin.

Qadosh: Beyond Mere Separation

The term qadosh, Gentry explains, originates from a root that fundamentally means “to set apart” or “to consecrate.” While this certainly includes the idea of being separate, especially from what is common or profane, Gentry emphasizes that this separation is not an end in itself. Instead, it is a means to a deeper purpose—being devoted or dedicated to God.

In his analysis, Gentry references the broader Semitic linguistic family, where similar terms in other languages also denote the idea of dedication or consecration rather than just separation. For instance, the Akkadian term “qadashu” and the Ugaritic “qds” align closely with this notion of being set apart for a specific, divine purpose.

Consecration and Covenant Relationship

Gentry’s exploration of qadosh within the context of the Old Testament shows that its primary usage relates to objects, places, and people that are consecrated to God. This consecration involves a covenantal commitment that marks them as belonging to God in a special way. For example, the nation of Israel is called to be holy because it is chosen and set apart by God to fulfill His covenantal purposes (Exodus 19:6).

The holiness of God, therefore, signifies His absolute dedication to His covenant with His people and His purposes. Gentry points out that this devotion is not just about moral purity but about God’s unwavering commitment to justice, righteousness, and the fulfillment of His promises. This understanding shifts the focus from a legalistic purity to a relational and purposeful consecration.

Holiness and Devotion in Greek Thought

In examining the Greek counterpart of qadosh, Gentry notes that the Greek word ἅγιος (hagios) similarly carries the connotation of being devoted or dedicated. He references the Greek-English Lexicon by Liddell, Scott, and Jones, which defines ἅγιος primarily as “devoted” or “dedicated.” This aligns with Gentry’s argument that both the Hebrew and Greek terms for holiness emphasize a relationship of commitment and devotion rather than merely being separate from impurity.

These linguistic roots, once understood, provide the foundation for correct theology and human flourishing. But there are theological and historical roots that leave us with no doubt about the meaning of the word.

Holiness in the Context of Covenant

Throughout the Old Testament, Gentry points out that holiness is deeply rooted in the concept of covenant. Israel’s call to be a holy nation was not merely about avoiding contamination but about being a people devoted to God’s covenantal mission. This mission was primarily an offensive operation, not a defensive one. Note that the telos of the covenants is outward-facing. Abraham was to receive God’s unconditional covenant so that he could be a blessing to the world.

In the book of Isaiah, for example, God’s holiness is portrayed through His unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. This divine commitment in Isaiah is not about withdrawing his people into stagnant colonies but about expanding the reign of a kingdom that would stretch over the four corners of the earth.

Without reflecting on the bend of the covenants which form the arc of the Old Testament narrative and what God is doing in the heavens and the earth, one might misunderstand what it means to be holy as God is holy.

Challenging Reclusive Interpretations

Gentry’s analysis has significantly challenged my previous understanding of holiness. Traditionally, I associated holiness with transcendence and moral purity, often leading to an inward-focused and withdrawn stance. However, Gentry argues for a holistic understanding of holiness that includes a relational fidelity to God and His purposes.

This perspective has reshaped my view of how holiness should manifest in our lives. It’s not about cultural isolation or being anti-social—although, I don’t want to downplay the virtues of consecrated isolation. Instead, it’s about being a transformative presence in the world, committed to God’s justice, love, and righteousness. Holiness calls us to engage with culture and society actively, rather than withdrawing as a virtue in itself.

The Messianic Hope: Renewal and Engagement

Gentry uses the powerful metaphor from Isaiah’s vision, where a seemingly dead tree represents the Davidic dynasty, yet out of its stump springs new life. This imagery captures the essence of the messianic hope—a future renewal and fulfillment of God’s promises. It illustrates that holiness involves not just judgment and separation but also hope, renewal, and active participation in God’s redemptive work.

For modern believers, this means living out holiness in a way that brings new life and hope into our interactions and engagements. It’s about being involved in our communities, advocating for justice, and reflecting God’s character in our daily lives.

Living Out Holiness Today

So, how do we live out this broader, more engaged understanding of holiness today

Expanding on these points, let’s delve into two more themes that Gentry’s insights bring to light: Holiness as Identity and Mission and Holiness in the Modern World.

Holiness as Identity and Mission

Holiness is not just a state of being but also a defining aspect of our identity and mission as believers. Gentry’s interpretation suggests that holiness should shape how we see ourselves and our purpose in the world.

  • Identity: Being holy means understanding that we are set apart not for isolation but for a distinct purpose. Our identity in Christ as a holy people calls us to live differently—not by retreating from society but by engaging with it in ways that reflect God’s kingdom values.
  • Mission: Our mission as holy people is to embody God’s love and justice in tangible ways. This means being proactive in our communities, addressing needs, and being a voice for the voiceless. It’s about living out our faith in action, showing that true holiness involves transformative engagement rather than passive separation.

Holiness in the Modern World

In today’s fast-paced and often polarized society, the call to holiness can seem challenging. However, Gentry’s perspective offers practical ways to navigate this.

  • Integrating Faith and Life: Holiness means that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives—from our work and family to our interactions and decisions. This integrated approach prevents the compartmentalization of our beliefs and encourages a consistent witness in all we do.
  • Balancing Separation and Engagement: While holiness involves a certain level of separation from sin, it doesn’t mean avoiding the world. It’s about engaging with society from a place of integrity and commitment to God’s standards. This balance allows us to be in the world but not of it, influencing culture positively without compromising our values.
  • Embracing Cultural Diversity: Holiness doesn’t mean rejecting cultural diversity but celebrating it within the framework of God’s kingdom. Engaging with different cultures can enrich our understanding and practice of faith, helping us to reflect God’s love and justice more fully in diverse contexts.

Gentry’s exploration of holiness challenges us to move beyond the narrow view of holiness as mere separation. Instead, it calls us to a deeper, more engaged understanding of what it means to be holy. By embracing this holistic perspective, we can live out our faith in a way that is devoted to God and actively involved in the world, reflecting His justice, love, and transformative power in all we do.

Holiness, therefore, is not about retreating from culture but about engaging with it in a way that reveals and honors God’s character. It’s a call to be fully committed to God and to reflect His holiness in every aspect of our lives. Whether through our personal interactions, community involvement, or advocacy for justice, living out holiness means being a transformative presence in the world, dedicated to God’s purposes and embodying His love and righteousness.

For further reading and to explore the detailed insights presented by Professor Peter Gentry, you can access his paper, “No One Holy Like the Lord,” published in the Midwestern Journal of Theology.

Battling Fruit Orchard Pests and Diseases in Illinois

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For the past two years, our backyard orchard in Northern Illinois has faced relentless challenges. With over 20 fruit trees, including apples, peaches, pears, nectarines, and plums, and seasonal citrus like lemons and limes, we’ve dealt with a host of pests and diseases. From aphids and Japanese beetles to peach rust and leaf curl, we’ve had to do the research and the work on how to prevent these diseases from killing our beloved fruit trees.

Our Approach: Copper, Sulfur, and Neem Oil

To manage these issues, we use copper, sulfur, and neem oil sprays. These treatments have been essential in keeping our trees healthy. Here’s how we use each one:

1. Copper Fungicide: Copper fungicide helps prevent fungal diseases like apple scab and peach rust. We spray copper every other week, which stops these diseases from spreading by preventing fungal spores from growing.

2. Neem Oil: Neem oil tackles pests and fungal issues. It disrupts the life cycles of pests like aphids and beetles, reducing their damage. It also helps control fungal diseases. We alternate neem oil with copper weekly to keep our trees protected.

3. Sulfur Fungicide: Initially, we mixed sulfur with our other treatments, which didn’t work well. Sulfur is effective for its antifungal properties, but it should be used separately. Now, we apply sulfur on off weeks from copper to avoid any negative interactions.

The Application Process

Every weekend, we prepare a fresh batch of either copper or neem oil in a one-gallon manual pump sprayer. We spray all parts of our trees, ensuring good coverage. This weekly routine is simple and crucial for maintaining our orchard’s health.

However, rain complicates things. If rain is forecasted soon after spraying, it can wash away the treatments, making them ineffective. We’ve learned to adjust our schedule around the weather, aiming to spray on dry days and reapplying if rain follows within a couple of days.

Observations and Outcomes

We learned the importance of starting treatments early in the season. Spraying should begin as soon as the buds start to open in the spring. Missing those first few weeks resulted in more extensive damage because the leaves emerged unprotected.

Despite the initial setbacks, our treatments are effective. Diseases have been controlled, although early damage is visible. Leaves have holes from rust, but the infections are now inactive, and the trees are recovering.

Managing Pests

In addition to spraying, we’ve had to take direct action against pests. Japanese beetles require a hands-on approach. We knock them into soapy water to kill them. For aphids, a toothbrush or similar bristle tool works well for brushing them off with a solution. These methods complement our spraying routine, helping to manage infestations more effectively.

Lessons Learned

1. Start Early: Begin spraying as soon as buds break to prevent issues. Delaying can lead to significant damage.

2. Stick to a Schedule: A weekly spraying schedule works well for us. Adjusting for rain is necessary; if rain is expected, delay spraying and resume when it’s dry.

3. Combine Methods: Use sprays alongside manual pest control. Knocking beetles into soapy water and brushing off aphids are effective additional measures.

Affirmation as a Closed-Loop Illusion

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Talk isn’t just cheap—it can be a vicious, deluding cycle

We all crave validation. Whether it’s sharing our goals or receiving positive feedback, affirmation can be incredibly gratifying. But here’s the catch: studies show that announcing your ambitions or receiving applause for your intentions can give you the same dopamine rush as actually achieving the goal. This phenomenon, known as “anticipatory reward,” creates a dangerous illusion of competence. It tricks individuals and organizations into thinking they’ve made progress when, in reality, they haven’t accomplished anything substantial.

Let’s explore how affirmation fuels this illusion, why it’s prevalent in Western cultures, and how we can break free from its deceptive grip.

Understanding the Illusion: Affirmation and Anticipatory Reward

Affirmation—those moments when we receive encouragement or acknowledge our goals—provides a powerful boost. Our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good and reinforces behaviors. However, research shows that this same dopamine release occurs not just when we achieve our goals but also when we simply talk about them or receive praise. This creates what’s known as “anticipatory reward,” where the promise of success or the recognition of our intentions feels as satisfying as the actual accomplishment.

Peter Gollwitzer’s Research on Implementation Intentions: Gollwitzer’s studies highlight that discussing a goal or forming a detailed plan can provide a premature sense of accomplishment. This dopamine boost from talking about our goals can reduce the effort we invest in achieving them, as our brain already feels rewarded.

Ayelet Fishbach and Minjung Koo’s Study on Goal Motivation: Their research found that focusing on how far we’ve come, rather than how far we still have to go, increases satisfaction too soon, leading to decreased motivation. This aligns with how affirmation can create a false sense of progress, short-circuiting the drive needed to complete the task.

The Delusion of Self-Confidence through Affirmation

When we share our plans or receive praise for our intentions, we often feel as though we’ve accomplished something significant. Affirmation creates a feedback loop where the act of discussing our goals or receiving recognition feels as rewarding as completing them. This can foster a deceptive sense of competence and lead to complacency.

Instead of pushing us to take action and achieve real outcomes, affirmation can make us feel good prematurely. This breaks the critical link between effort and actual achievement, creating an illusion of competence that can be hard to shake.

Manifestations of Affirmation-Driven Illusions in Daily Life

Personal Fitness:

  • Social Media Announcements: Many people post their fitness goals or new workout routines on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, enjoying instant gratification through likes and supportive comments. This can create a temporary sense of achievement without the hard work of consistent training. For instance, someone might announce their intention to run a marathon. However, if the praise from friends and followers replaces the discipline of daily runs, the goal remains unfulfilled.
  • Fitness Apps and Trackers: Apps that allow users to share their workout milestones or progress can contribute to this illusion. The act of sharing a workout or a goal feels rewarding, but without sustained effort, the real benefits of fitness are never fully realized.

Professional Settings:

  • Planning and Meetings: In the corporate world, there’s often significant focus on planning and strategizing. While these are essential, they can lead to a premature sense of accomplishment. A team might feel they’re making progress by holding regular meetings and discussing plans. However, unless those plans translate into actionable steps, the meetings themselves become a substitute for real progress.
  • Networking and Self-Promotion: Professionals often build their personal brand by discussing future projects or potential opportunities on platforms like LinkedIn. While networking is crucial, it can also create an illusion of success if it replaces actual work and skill development. Talking about career goals can sometimes feel like moving forward when, in reality, the critical work remains undone.

Education:

  • Goal Setting and Procrastination: Students frequently set academic goals or plan their study schedules, feeling a brief rush of accomplishment. However, without following through on these plans, they might find themselves cramming at the last minute, realizing that the early sense of readiness was just an illusion. This is particularly common with New Year’s resolutions or beginning-of-term planning that loses steam as the term progresses.
  • Public Declarations of Intent: Declaring an intention to study hard for exams or to excel in a project can elicit praise and encouragement from peers and family. This can provide a false sense of security and satisfaction, deterring the rigorous study and preparation needed for genuine success.

The Cultural Lens: Affirmation in Western Societies

In Western cultures, particularly in the United States, there’s a strong emphasis on self-promotion and building self-esteem. Media and social narratives often glorify the confident individual who boldly proclaims their capabilities and dreams. While positive affirmations and confidence can be motivational tools, they are often hollow without action. This cultural trend reinforces the illusion of competence, making it seem normal to bask in the glow of potential rather than actual achievement.

Social Media’s Role in Amplifying the Affirmation Illusion

Social media platforms have turbocharged the affirmation cycle by providing a stage for constant self-promotion. Users often share their goals and intentions, receiving likes and comments that mimic the dopamine rush of actual achievement. This public affirmation can make one feel as though significant progress has been made, even when little to no action has been taken.

  • Instant Gratification: Posting about a new diet, career move, or personal goal can garner instant likes and comments, giving the illusion that one is on the path to success. However, this can substitute for the harder, longer-term work required to actually achieve these goals.
  • Curated Success: Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn often showcase curated versions of success. Seeing others’ polished achievements can create pressure to share our intentions and minor wins prematurely, seeking validation rather than focusing on substantial progress.
  • The Echo Chamber Effect: Social media can create an echo chamber where the act of sharing goals and receiving praise becomes more rewarding than the actual pursuit of those goals. This can lead to a cycle where posting about intentions feels like achieving them, reducing the drive to engage in the necessary work.

The Real Feedback Loop: Doing the Work

Reality has a way of setting us straight. Unlike the false feedback from affirmations and anticipatory dopamine, the feedback from actually engaging in tasks is unyielding and honest. Physics, deadlines, and tangible results don’t lie. They provide a clear measure of our competence. It’s through consistent action and facing challenges head-on that we truly gauge our abilities and grow.

The Consequences of Relying on Affirmation

Relying on the dopamine rush from anticipated success rather than actual success can lead to stagnation and failure. We see this in the workplace where individuals might spend more time planning and talking about their projects than executing them. Over time, this can erode real skills and undermine genuine confidence, leaving us unprepared when real challenges arise.

Breaking Free from the Affirmation Trap

To avoid the trap of anticipatory reward driven by affirmation, we must cultivate humility and focus on actual progress. This means embracing a mindset of continuous learning and modesty, much like the values espoused by figures like John the Baptist and Jesus. They exemplified the power of staying grounded, working quietly, and valuing substance over appearance. By focusing on doing the work, remaining humble, and seeking honest feedback, we align ourselves with reality and build true competence.

The allure of affirmation and anticipatory reward is strong, offering a quick hit of satisfaction without the hard work. However, true competence and success come from engaging deeply with the tasks at hand, staying humble, and valuing real feedback. As we navigate our goals and aspirations, let’s remember that action speaks louder than words, and that genuine growth is forged through the often-uncelebrated grind of doing the work.

Citations

Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation Intentions: Strong Effects of Simple Plans. American Psychologist, 54(7), 493-503. Available at APA PsycNet.

Fishbach, A., & Koo, M. (2014). The Dynamics of Self-Regulation: When Goals Commit Versus Liberate. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 50, 207-261. Available at ScienceDirect.

Liturgy of the Hours is Better Than the Rosary

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Why You Should Pray the Liturgy of the Hours (and Why It Might Be the Best Prayer Rhythm Ever)

When we became Catholic, we were blown away by the beauty of the Church’s traditions. One of the greatest surprises for us has been the Liturgy of the Hours. It’s structured, deeply rooted in Scripture, and totally connected to the life of the Church. Once we found it, it felt like everything else, including the spiritual practices we grew up with, paled in comparison.

And while the Rosary gets a lot of attention in Catholic circles, we’ve found that it just doesn’t come close to what the Liturgy of the Hours offers. We don’t pray the Rosary in our home. Not because we’re against Mary or dislike repetition, but because we’ve discovered something richer, deeper, and more Christ-centered. We believe more Catholics should seriously consider giving the Liturgy of the Hours pride of place in their daily life.

Our Story

Before Catholicism, we were in the evangelical world. I was a pastor in various churches, and prayer there was usually spontaneous, shaped by whatever the devotional reading or sermon theme was that day. It wasn’t bad, it just lacked consistency. There was no rhythm that tied it all together.

When we entered the Church, we immediately fell in love with the Mass. It was obvious this was the center of everything. But we started to wonder, what does the Church offer to anchor the rest of the day? That’s when we stumbled on the Liturgy of the Hours, and it changed everything.

No more random devotionals or freeform prayers that drifted from day to day. Now, we had a prayer rhythm that followed the seasons of the Church, rooted us in Scripture, and tied us to the prayers of Christians all over the world. And it wasn’t just nice. It was powerful.

What Is the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours (also called the Divine Office) has ancient roots. It started in the Jewish practice of praying the Psalms at set times during the day. The early Church adopted that rhythm, and over time it became a complete daily cycle of prayer that includes Psalms, Scripture readings, and writings from the saints.

It’s not something buried in history books. It’s alive. Priests and religious pray it every day. More and more lay Catholics are discovering it too. When you pray it, you’re joining a living, global rhythm of worship. It brings God into your morning, midday, evening, and night, not just on Sundays, but every day.

Why We Prefer the Liturgy of the Hours Over the Rosary

This isn’t about knocking the Rosary. But the truth is, we don’t find it as helpful or meaningful. The Liturgy of the Hours offers more. Here’s why we think it deserves a bigger role in the spiritual lives of everyday Catholics:

1. It’s All Scripture

When you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re immersed in the Bible. You’re praying the Psalms, reading from the Gospels, the epistles, the Old Testament, every day. It’s not a summary or reflection about Scripture. It is Scripture.

2. It Keeps Christ at the Center

The Rosary is centered on Mary’s experience of Jesus. That’s good, but the Liturgy of the Hours puts Christ Himself right in the middle. It aligns your day with His story, His words, and His mission.

3. It’s Liturgical

Each time you pray the Hours, you’re syncing with the Church’s liturgical calendar. You’re not just praying randomly. You’re entering into a pattern that the Church has kept for centuries. one that flows out from the Mass and sanctifies your whole day.

4. It’s Shared by the Whole Church

Unlike the Rosary, which is a private devotion, the Liturgy of the Hours is the official public prayer of the Church. When you pray it, you’re praying with priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople all over the world. And not just Catholics. Orthodox and some Anglicans pray it too. It’s a prayer of unity.

5. It’s Less About Preference, More About Formation

The Rosary tends to be more individual and preference-driven. Some people love it, some don’t. But the Liturgy of the Hours isn’t about personal preference. It’s about being formed by the rhythm of the Church, day in and day out.

How to Start

It can feel a little intimidating at first, but getting started is easier than you think:

1. Start Small

Begin with Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers). Those are the “hinge hours” and they cover most of the spiritual ground.

2. Use a Good App or Website

We use the Divine Office app, and we love it. It’s simple, user-friendly, and even has audio so you can pray along on your commute or while folding laundry.

3. Make It a Real Habit

Set a time each day for prayer. Or flip it: structure your day around prayer. The Church calls this “sanctifying the hours.” It’s not about squeezing God in. It’s about putting Him first.

4. Pray with Others When You Can

If you can find a parish or group that prays the Hours together, jump in. It adds a whole new layer to the experience. But even when you pray alone, you’re never really alone.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re missing out on one of the richest treasures the Church has to offer. It’s shaped our days, deepened our faith, and brought us into closer communion with the Body of Christ.

We believe more Catholics should lean into this form of prayer. It’s not just for monks and nuns. It’s for you. And in our experience, it’s far more nourishing than the Rosary or any other devotional out there.

If the Mass is the source and summit of our faith, the Liturgy of the Hours is the rhythm that carries you from one to the next. Give it a shot. You won’t regret it.

A Random Story from Suburbia: Dealing with Difficult Neighbors

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Life’s Unexpected Lessons

Life can throw some surprises our way, especially when we’re raising kids. These moments, while challenging, often turn into great opportunities to teach our children valuable lessons. Recently, our family faced one of these moments—a sudden clash with our neighbors that became a clear lesson in forgiveness and setting boundaries for our boys, Luke and Levi.

The Incident: From Playtime to Conflict

It was a sunny afternoon, and Luke, Levi, and their friend Adil were by the creek, having fun tossing sticks into the water. Everything was fine until our neighbors began shouting at the kids from across the creek. At first the wife, who was on friendly terms with us, gave the kids a verbal warning not to throw sticks into the creek for fear of damming the creek and starting a flood. That would have been fine had it ended there, but suddenly, with no warning, the husband began screaming at the top of his lungs at the kids and my wife various threats.

My wife was caught off guard, and, as any protective, pregnant mother bear might do, she began to yell in return, drowning out the screams of the man and telling him to stop yelling.

It’s important to pause here and explain that these neighbors are notorious for drunken behavior, loud and obnoxious rants, and escalated confrontations.

I, Alan, heard this from the house, and came barreling to the backyard by the creek where this was happening. My blood was boiling, and I became furious when I saw what was happening. I shouted in pure anger, demanding to know what this man was saying. He turned back to me, ready to start yelling at me, but in my fury I quickly shouted him down with a booming voice and told him twice, “I don’t want to hear another word from you.” He must have sensed the level of my anger, because he quickly turned around and left.

Immediate Aftermath: Talking It Through

Once the neighbors left and things calmed down, we gathered our boys to talk about what happened. Their day had taken a rough turn, and they were clearly upset. We knew we needed to help them understand their feelings and learn from the situation.

We started by acknowledging their fear and confusion. It’s normal to feel these things when faced with unexpected anger. But we also wanted to teach them two important lessons: the power of forgiveness and the need to set boundaries.

Teaching Forgiveness and Boundaries: Practical Lessons from Scripture

To help explain these ideas, we turned to a story they know—Jesus cleansing the temple. Even Jesus, who taught love and peace, got angry when he saw injustice. This helped us explain that feeling angry can be okay, especially when standing up for what’s right.

But here’s the key part—while anger is a natural response, it shouldn’t control us. Moving past anger and forgiving others is crucial. We also talked about boundaries, using Jesus’ choice not to engage with Herod as an example. This wasn’t about holding a grudge but about knowing when to protect yourself from further harm. We told the boys it’s okay to keep a distance from people who make them feel unsafe or disrespected.

Drawing from Catholic Teachings: Forgiveness and Boundaries

Catholic teachings give us great advice on forgiveness and boundaries. We shared Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:44 with our boys: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This message is about letting go of resentment and finding peace.

We also discussed how Jesus chose to remain silent before Herod to protect His mission and dignity. This wasn’t about avoiding conflict out of fear but making a wise decision to maintain His integrity. Similarly, St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that while we should love our neighbors, we’re not obligated to put ourselves in harm’s way repeatedly. We can love our neighbor by keeping a healthy amount of distance.

Living by Example: Balancing Forgiveness and Boundaries

In our case, we haven’t yet reached out to our neighbors to smooth things over. We’re trying to balance showing our kids the importance of forgiveness while also maintaining safe boundaries. It’s a careful balance—offering forgiveness but knowing when it’s necessary to step back and protect ourselves.

We told our boys that holding onto anger is like carrying a heavy load—it’s better to let it go. Forgiveness helps us lighten that load. At the same time, it’s important to understand when to limit interactions with those who might cause harm or disrupt our peace.

We ended our day by praying the Our Father and reminding ourselves the need to forgive those who would wrong us.

Long-Term Lessons: Building Resilience and Understanding

Through this experience, we wanted to teach our children that conflicts are a part of life. But how we respond to these conflicts shapes who we are. It’s natural to feel anger, especially when defending ourselves or others. But the real challenge is moving beyond anger, embracing forgiveness, and setting smart boundaries to protect our well-being.

These lessons are the seeds we hope to plant, growing into strong, resilient values as our children navigate life. Forgiveness encourages empathy and understanding, while boundaries ensure their safety and peace of mind.

Conclusion: Embracing Teachable Moments

Teaching children about forgiveness, especially during conflicts, is one of the most valuable lessons we can share. Our recent clash with our neighbors was a powerful opportunity to explore these themes. By reflecting on the story of Jesus and Catholic teachings, we helped our children understand the power of forgiveness and the importance of setting boundaries.

Parents, these moments are key—they’re chances to instill values that will guide your children’s futures. How have you approached teaching forgiveness and setting boundaries in your family?