Joshua enjoys a good story. From the Inklings, to the Beat Poets, to This American Life, the power of narrative connects humanity. Like a good story, Joshua’s years of adventure, struggle, reflection, and questioning have led him to Sojourners. After spending four years at Greenville College (greater St. Louis area) studying English and religion, and serving as Editor-in-Chief of his college newspaper, he comes to DC seeking to be read anew into God’s story of love, justice, and redemption for the entire created order. He is excited to participate in communal life and work towards goals that are continually broadening and making a profound impact on individuals and the larger society.
Follow Joshua at www.jwitchger.wordpress.com
Posts By This Author
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 27, 2012
Nick Offerman reads more tweets from young female celebrities — Amy Poehler answers odd questions in front of a large audience — 10 nerdy bathrooms — Star Wars family car decals — Ira Glass on Car Talk reruns — and Oreo cookie comes out in favor of gay rights. Click trough to read today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 26, 2012
A load of links to counter those mid-week blues ... a video of Wild Goose performers Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets -- an Arrested Development art show -- Alec Baldwin interviewed by Terry Gross -- lists of summer music and movies to know -- the Bill Muarry coloring book (and baseball speech) -- Van Gogh recreated with dominoes -- The Avett Brothers, and more. Click through to today's Links of Awesomeness...
QUIRK: 'Harry Potter Theme' Performed on Water Glasses
Perhaps you’ve tried to circle the rim of a wine glass with your finger to create some high pitched tones (often times I’d be scolded for doing it in restaurants). Well, in this video, you can take a look at a rendering of “Hedwig’s Theme,” one of the most recognizable scores from the Harry Potter series, performed on a plethora of wine glasses. There’s no telling how this person stumbled upon this idea, or what potion lies in the water glasses, but if you’re a fan of Harry Potter and quirky music, do yourself a favor and press play below.
Links of Awesomeness: June 20, 2012
Watch the new trailer for the Monsters, Inc. prequel, Monsters University. Plus a man with no legs climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro and CNN streams a new documentary on Bruce Springsteen. Read these in today's Links of Awesomeness...
QUIRK: Pizza Vending Machines
Pizza in a vending machine? That’s right! The franchise Let’s Pizza is opening up an office in Atlanta later this year, which means that their infamous pizza vending machines shouldn’t be too far behind.
In their advertisements, they boast a speedy and delicious product, one that comes ready to eat in 150 seconds and will only cost $6. And in case you’re a germaphobe, they assure you that these pizzas are completely untouched by human hands.
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 19, 2012
Seven summer camp movies to set the tone for your summer adventures — watch the craft of making flamenco guitars — children spraying dads with a hose — people behind their cereal mascot — new track from Childish Gambino — and video technology meets street art in Berlin. See these in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Waiting for Health Care
With the SCOTUS ruling on the future of U.S. health care still pending, filmmaker Peter Nicks provides an inside look at one American hospital struggling to care for its uninsured patients. In this New York Times Op-Doc (opinion documentary), Nicks shows the reality for many hospitals in the country in low-income areas. It is estimated that facilities like the one profiled, receive over 16 million emergency room visits a year from low-income or uninsured patients.
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 18, 2012
Duck flash mob takes over a street in China – Pictographic rock band posters –Jack McBrayer learns insults at a hot dog shop – and San Diego's annual dog surfing tournament. See these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 15. 2012
Happy Father's Day Weekend! Here's a few tips from children on how to be a good dad. Plus... "That's my dad" hash tags with Jimmy Fallon –emergency dance technician storms New York City –TastemakerX is a stock market for up-and-coming musicians – Burger King's bacon sundae = calorie overload – Saved By the Bell's bathroom products –new music from David Byrne and St. Vincent. See these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Links of Awesomeness: June 14, 2012
Cats in the NBA -- Story Corps' animated short -- Inforgaphic of Jack White -- Stephen Colbert on cyberwar and monkeys -- and more nonsense from Conan O'Brien. See these in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Links of Awesomeness: June 13, 2012
The girl with the mobile garden dress -- cover songs by Iron & Wine -- kid reacts to first sip of root beer -- art from wine stains -- and Conan teaches first-graders how to sing the Chicago blues. See these in today's Links of Awesomeness...
The Minister's Treehouse
The Minister's Tree House in Crossville, Tennn. Photo via Wylio.
God told Noah to build an ark, and God told Horace to build a tree house. That’s pretty much how this story goes.
In the 1990s, Tennessee landscaper Horace Burgess discovered a tall mass of trees near the road, and decided he wanted to turn into the world’s largest tree house. After years of working on his epic project, just as he was running out of steam, he became a Christian and then later a pastor.
Compelled, he says, by the Spirit of God, Burgess finally finished his project in 2004. And, to put it lightly, it’s pretty divine.
FIRSTS: A First Look at Townes Van Zandt
Editor's Note: This is the first post in a series called FIRSTS, where some of us take a look at classic works of art, music, film and literature for the first time. We hope that a fresh perspective on these influential pop-cultural artifacts will inspire discussion and interest that outlasts the shelf-life of daily reviews.
Townes Van Zandt
The Late Great Townes Van Zandt (1972)
Townes Van Zandt isn’t a songwriter I’ve heard many people praise (or even acknowledge, really.) But the few people I know who love him are folks with musical tastes I admire and respect.
One is my college roommate’s brother, who introduced both of us to the great Tom Waits during my junior year.
Another is a friend who’s always following a new dream, be it dropping out of school to travel, or finding work on farms and in coffee shops.
Both are people I’d describe as earthy and natural — devotees to folk tunes with lyrics that transcend contexts, offering timeless truths that smirk at popular culture’s music of cheap love and consumer-driven individuality.
So, this week I began listening to an album that my musical mentors hold dear — and one that I’ve never heard laid ears on before — Townes Van Zandt’s 1972 LP The Late Great Townes Van Zandt.
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 11, 2012
Abraham ”Googly Eyes” Lincoln via Archie McPhee / Celebrity Googly Eyes.com
Inception is re-imagined in LEGOS – time lapse photos from the International Space Station –the Museum of Endangered Sounds –Jim Henson Co. to adapt Frog and Toad –80s awkward family photos – and Celebrity Googly Eyes. Take a look at these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 8, 2012
Mrs. Doubtfire imagined as a horror film -- the best of Fred Armisan on Portlandia -- Regina Spektor visits Colbert -- stream the Bonnaroo Music Festival all weekend -- the history of video games -- living paintings from DC artist -- chaos theory and Muppets -- Bill Murray's hologram plays the banjo on David Letterman -- and friend-of-Sojourners Jason Harrod records a new version of "This Land is Your Land." See these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 7, 2012
Andy Samberg's PSA on cannibalism -- behind the scenes look at The Hobbit -- The Atlantic's Puppy Cam and scientific survey -- and Japan's Wan Wan Dog Circus. See these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 6, 2012
New world records in holding breath and paper lantern launching -- Michelle Obama on growing Barack-oli -- Andy Samberg's new television venture -- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. See these in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 5, 2012
An award winning new short starring Kevin Spacey -- the most extroverted city in the U.S. -- Wilco releases free e-book -- The Daily Show's coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee -- Jason Schwartzman and Jimmy Fallon's ode to a pepper. See these and more in today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 4, 2012
Novelists set down the typewriter and pick up the paintbrush -- cross stitching electrical circuts -- beautiful photos of colored ink underwater -- Improv Everywhere strikes again with a car alarm stunt -- Pulitzer-prize winning author Dave Eggers talks new novel. See these and more in Today's Links of Awesomeness...
Afternoon Links of Awesomeness: June 1, 2012
A batch of the best new audio and visual stimulation. Roman Mars' podcast explores the craft of Trappist beer — nature-loving artist trades the electronic equipment for some earthy sounds — Andrew Bird's hit "Eyeoneye" gets the stop-motion video treatment -- the iconic walls of Sydney's Opera House are the backdrop for a new artful video projection — a Super Mario Brothers themed aquarium — summer rock vibes, and more. See today's Links of Awesomeness...