Behavioral
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A World Without Gatekeepers
In less than 8 hours last week, I saw three news stories that highlight a significant change in culture that will require a change in how we consume and share news. The day started off in a media panic. The VP’s wife is going to work for an anti-gay school! By early afternoon free copies…
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Does God Really Want You To Grow?
Why do we always assume that God wants us to “grow” spiritually? We don’t always grow physically. We have periods of growth, or seasons of growth. Every parent knows that their children experience spurts of growth. Growth is good and healthy, but there are times when we pause, and at some point stop, growing. If…
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Never forget … but what about those that never knew?
We use the phrases “Never forget” and “We will always remember” but there is a generation that only knows what we tell them we experienced. In 12-18 months, the first U.S. soldier will be deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan that wasn’t alive on September 11, 2001. They only know what they see in documentaries and…
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Pita Bread and Blasphemy
It was well rehearsed and performed with passion. Talented young voices singing in perfect harmony. The ballad rose dramatically in energy and intensity. “The goodness inside you will be your guide to the God in others. We are God. God is us.” Thousands cheered. Some shouted, “Amen!” and stood to their feet, moved by melody…
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You Feed Them
Our first response should never be, “How can government fix this?” We are called to respond to one of the most shocking commands ever given. In the face of overwhelming need, and recognizing our inadequate resources, how will we respond to this command? “You feed them.”
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I’m Blessed, Not Guilty
The “thankful” posts I’m seeing on social media started me thinking. I have, without question, many things to be thankful for. Unfortunately, there is a sport swelling in our culture where contestants redefine some of those gifts as “privileges” and I refuse to play that game. All the blessings in my life are gifts from…
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Long Awaited, Unexpected
They had waited so long for the Messiah, but they did not expect a child. Mary and Joseph did not expect a pregnancy. The shepherds did not expect a sky full of angels. Herod did not expect the Magi. The wedding guests did not expect the best wine at the end of the reception. The…
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Immigration … Maybe They’re Both Wrong
Support for immigrants cost him his party’s nomination for President. Instead, Lincoln went on to become President in 1860 instead of William Seward, who became the Secretary of State in Lincoln’s administration. Later, Republicans opposed illiterate immigrants; Democrats opposed importing “pauper labor” to do the menial jobs. That was the 1896 election between William Jennings…
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Je suis Charlie?
“Choose your allies carefully: it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever be held morally, legally, or historically accountable for the actions of your enemies.” Some New Tactical Reflections by L. Neil Smith During an editorial meeting with cartoonists and satirists at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo, two hooded men walked in with automatics and started shooting.…
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Trash Talking In Front of a Minister
If it wasn’t for trash talking in front of a seminary student during a rugby scrum this weekend might be very boring. Jim was a senior at the Presbyterian College of Theology in Montreal. It was 1890 and one of Jim’s friends blurted out a “profanity” during a rugby game. He quickly apologized giving the…
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