Blog

Gary D. Myers Culture, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Small Towns, Travel

Nostalgia and the Sting of History

Train stations fascinate me. I love the architecture and the purpose for which they were built. These buildings make me nostalgic for a simpler time that I never experienced. Though not extremely rare across the United States, many stations (or depots) in smaller towns have disappeared or fallen into disrepair. Many older stations along the … Continue reading Nostalgia and the Sting of History

Gary D. Myers Uncategorized

The Beautiful, Agonizing, Amazing Gift of Knowing What You Don’t Know

About two weeks ago, I was reminded of the four stages of competence. When learning a new skill, a person starts with unconscious incompetence, moves to conscious incompetence, then on to conscious competence. Finally, after lots of practice, a person achieves unconscious competence--they know how to do the task without even thinking about it. The … Continue reading The Beautiful, Agonizing, Amazing Gift of Knowing What You Don’t Know

Gary D. Myers Archaeology, Biblical Archaeology 101

A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist (Unless You’re Indiana Jones)

Now that the final installment of the Indiana Jones movie franchise is showing in theatres, I am sure some are confused about what archaeologists actually do. Fist fights? Treasure hunting? Solving riddles? Motorcycle chases? I hope I am not bursting anyone’s bubble … I haven't had a fistfight at a dig yet. Van chases? Maybe. … Continue reading A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist (Unless You’re Indiana Jones)

Gary D. Myers Backroads, Israel, Travel

The Allon Road: An Accidental Journey through the West Bank

Stark. Remote. Beautiful. A little scary. These are only a few of the ways one can describe the Allon Road – a high mountain passageway meandering like a sheep trail through the Samarian and Judean Hills in the West Bank. Yes, that West Bank, the one in Israel. Not the West Bank located on the … Continue reading The Allon Road: An Accidental Journey through the West Bank

Gary D. Myers Bible, Culture

When ‘You’ means ‘Y’all’: Recognizing Community in an Individualistic Culture

The irony of my critique of the English language is not lost on me. Despite being a writer, I don't always show proper respect for English rules. I absolutely love dangling modifiers, split infinitives, and ending sentences with prepositions. The presence or absence of Oxford commas triggers no emotional response from me. Oh, and I … Continue reading When ‘You’ means ‘Y’all’: Recognizing Community in an Individualistic Culture

Gary D. Myers Culture

Beauty in the Mundane: The Cinematic Art of Terrence Malick

Few movies elicit as wide a range of passionate and visceral reactions as Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life (2011). Most people either love it or hate it. It received both cheers and jeers on the film festival circuit. Many movie-goers simply walked out of the movie in frustration during its initial run in theaters. … Continue reading Beauty in the Mundane: The Cinematic Art of Terrence Malick

Gary D. Myers Christian Living, Music

‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind:’ Songs for Sojourners

I like U2. They create music and lyrics that make me think. Their thoughtful lyrics are filled with symbolism and passion for "the least of these." Emotion flows through each musical note. Most of all, I appreciate their expressions of faith—even when they wrestle and struggle. And do they struggle. These guys are fragile and … Continue reading ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind:’ Songs for Sojourners