sup joel; haven't talked in like erm...over a year :P hope you're doing well.  dun get lonely; go visit manny and dan if you ever get lonely.  or me in nyc but it's kind've a trek ;)

Dear Joel,

Thanks for stopping by!  Nice other blog, by the way.  Interesting thought re: faith and active passivity.  Hebrews says that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.  So maybe this active passivity is a fruit of faith?

Sincerely,

Thomas

hey, very helpful advice, for which i thank you much. your plans for china sound fascinating. one reason i'm looking at americorps, actually, is that i've spent so much time outside of the states. it's easy to forget that there are americans who need help, too. i'll try to work this in, to make it more anectodal as moselle suggests. i'm having trouble being specific simply because there are so many programs that fall under the wide umbrella of americorps. i have been contacted by a homeless shelter in rural colorado, however, that looks very 'useful, healthy, and beautiful.' thanks again.

by the way, is this joel ghrist? how are you? what's up with your life these days?

i posted a third draft and would value your comments highly. let me know when i can repay the favor. buddha

real zen buddhists are much more superstitious, much more 'religious,' really, than the american flavor.