In mid 1975, Saloth Sar (later renamed by himself, Pol Pot) became the leader of Cambodia. Pol Pot was the head of the Khmer Rouge, a socialist rebel group who had taken control of Cambodia. He set out to “cleanse” Cambodia and enforce a strict agrarian socialism (empty the cities and make everyone work in […]
People Helping People Read More »
I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. I think gratitude – thankfulness, appreciation, value – has a very underrated foundational role in virtue and vice. Legalism, the kind of self-righteous Christianity that is all about control, guilt, power, pride and perfection, really has beneath it a sick and hollowed out sense of gratitude. Grace
I’m in Zurich right now on a church history trip through Kilns College. Tomorrow we head to Geneva, the next day Pisa, then Florence and then a few days in Rome before flying back. There’s nothing like actually standing in places to learn the nuances of history – a lesson I first remember learning when
2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 2 reads, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” It’s a letter from Paul to the Corinthian people where he states with confidence that the people themselves – changed lives – are the fruit of his ministry and the letter of commendation for
My four year old, Sara, hopped in bed with us this morning. I love early morning cuddles and I love saying to my girls, “I love you.” Sara, however, usually pushes back my I love you’s by saying, “You ALWAYS say that to me.” This morning, I thought I would try a different route with
The most “like” there is Read More »
I’ve been thinking tonight about the difference between holy tension (tension over injustice and unrighteousness) and idealistic tension (tension over the gap between my expectations and reality.) Both cause stress. Both aim at a better reality. Both extend beyond our realm of control and become subject of prayer. One, however, seeks to align us with
I responded to a friend on the recent comments by commentator Glenn Beck on Social Justice. Below is my text: Glenn Beck has a narrow definition of Social Justice. For him, it is political and liberal. All of his examples make this clear. Thus, his argument, from a philosophical perspective, goes like this: 1. Social
A Response to Glenn Beck on Social Justice Read More »
I’ve been in one of my pensive moods most of this week. “Pensive mood” is shorthand for contemplating the deep things of life and the human condition. This morning in the second part of the Vine and the Branches series I tried to explain LOVE. Nothing makes you feel weaker and more incomplete than holding up
Grace is a Greased Pig Read More »
I’m not a big New Year’s Resolutions kind of guy. My approach to life is kind of a “you have no idea what will happen next week” sort of thing. You run hard at what God puts in front of you and you realize that plans, desires, opportunities, difficulties, money and time can all change. That’s
New Year’s Resolutions Read More »
