David Brooks excellent article about this week's quake in Haiti is a must read. Whether you agree with his diagnosis or not, he shines a light on a problem that absolutely must be addressed: There is no formulaic relationship between $$ aid and economic development/autonomy. Haiti is the ongoing recipient of immense investments. By some estimates, they have the highest per capita ration of NGO's (nongovernmental organizations, like World Vision) in the world. In spite of this, Haiti … [Read more...]
A case for marriage…
January 12, 2010 By 70 Comments
I'd like to spend a few words building the case for marriage, because this institution, like all institutions (it seems) is increasingly regarded with both suspicion and cynicism by younger generations. For this reason an increasing number (of both Christ followers and the general populace) are forsaking marriage, choosing instead to simply live together. I understand the cynicism, but disagree with conclusion. The cynicism makes sense because people are looking for something more … [Read more...]
The Roman Road: More than you thought?
January 9, 2010 By 3 Comments
Growing up in the church, I learned that one of the best ways to share the gospel succintly would be take hearers (eager or not, no matter) through what came to be called the "Roman Road". In essence, this declaration of the good news find in Christ was, to use a cooking term, a 'reduction'. The idea was to boil away the unecassary ingerdients in order to leave the more powerful essence. The essence includes about four truths: 1) you are a sinner, 2) the wages of sin is death, 3) God … [Read more...]
The Roman Road: More than you thought?
January 9, 2010 By 3 Comments
Growing up in the church, I learned that one of the best ways to share the gospel succintly would be take hearers (eager or not, no matter) through what came to be called the "Roman Road". In essence, this declaration of the good news find in Christ was, to use a cooking term, a 'reduction'. The idea was to boil away the unecassary ingerdients in order to leave the more powerful essence. The essence includes about four truths: 1) you are a sinner, 2) the wages of sin is death, 3) God … [Read more...]
10 for 10
January 5, 2010 By 7 Comments
Resolutions, hopes, musings, prayers? I really don't know what these are. But there are ten of them for the new year, offered in no particular order: 1. Exercise - I'm bummed that I'm starting the new year with a couple of injuries that are making my exercise routine more challenging. I remember reading the biography of an Italian climber once who, when interviewed at the age of 87 said, "I still try to do something challenging for my body every day." That's my mantra at the beginning … [Read more...]
10 for 10
January 5, 2010 By 7 Comments
Resolutions, hopes, musings, prayers? I really don't know what these are. But there are ten of them for the new year, offered in no particular order: 1. Exercise - I'm bummed that I'm starting the new year with a couple of injuries that are making my exercise routine more challenging. I remember reading the biography of an Italian climber once who, when interviewed at the age of 87 said, "I still try to do something challenging for my body every day." That's my mantra at the beginning … [Read more...]
Going backwards in the New Year
January 2, 2010 By 9 Comments
Years ago a read a little book called, "The Torch of the Testimony", and after traveling as a tourist during this past trip in Europe, I'm committed to re-reading it in 2010. It's a church history book filled with biases and lacking footnotes and documentation, so from a scholarly perspective, the material would be a waste of time. The thesis of the book, however, is both true and sorely needed in our day. Kennedy asserts that, throughout the history of the church, there have always been … [Read more...]
Going backwards in the New Year
January 2, 2010 By 9 Comments
Years ago a read a little book called, "The Torch of the Testimony", and after traveling as a tourist during this past trip in Europe, I'm committed to re-reading it in 2010. It's a church history book filled with biases and lacking footnotes and documentation, so from a scholarly perspective, the material would be a waste of time. The thesis of the book, however, is both true and sorely needed in our day. Kennedy asserts that, throughout the history of the church, there have always been … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas….
December 21, 2009 By 15 Comments
Merry Christmas from Austria... I'll be on holiday until New Year's Eve. In the meantime, here's a gift I've shared with my family as a way of saying: God has blessed me beyond all I could ask, hope, imagine. May you know Christ's life as your hope, peace, and joy throughout the new year. See you in 2010 … [Read more...]
Rest and Wounds
December 16, 2009 By 16 Comments
After falling last Thursday on the ski slope in Austria, I could barely move. My fall was a mere 150 meters of skiing above the gondola, which I needed to enter in order to get down the mountain, for only the top half is presently up and running. It was getting dark, and every turn made my insides feel as if they were being pulled apart, so much so that I briefly considered sitting on the snow and waiting for help to come. As the nature of my injury became clear, I did what I'm prone to with … [Read more...]
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