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Random Thoughts

Lent and Prayer

Lent began about two weeks ago. It’s a hectic time in our lives as we (hopefully) finalize the sale of our home, pack everything up, and get settled in our new place. All of the usual stress — plus a bit more — has made if difficult to focus on the meaning of this season.

But one simple thing has helped. The good folks at 24-7 Prayer have created daily videos for the season of Lent. Each one is about 4-minutes long and focuses on the theme of “Jesus, walk with us.” It’s a comforting message for me right now, …

Random Thoughts,

Words, Perceptions, and Old College Notes

Working in cross-cultural situations has taught me a lot about perceptions. Things that my white middle-class background consider “normal” are usually not the norm in other settings. That’s why I often read books about cross-cultural understanding and diversity.

D’Aun and I have been packing as we prepare to move, and I came across my old notes from college. One page caught my eye: introductory remarks by Professor Robert Gundry on the Gospel of John.

My notes from his lecture show that cultural perceptions even influences how we see Scripture, and that good cross-cultural communication exists in the Bible. I’m certainly …

Random Thoughts,

Angelus Silesius Poem

Here is a beautiful little poem I came across during a devotional:

Love goes into God’s presence,
while at the gate
Reason and Knowledge
must remain
and for an audience wait.

As you might guess, it was written just as the Enlightenment was being unleashed across the Christian world. The author, Angelus Silesius, lived in the 17th Century and was a bizarre guy. Then again, somebody described as a “German Catholic mystic poet” is not going to be ordinary!

Whatever it’s roots or source, it strikes me as a simple way to remind ourselves of the importance of love. …

Random Thoughts,

Gates of Hell Revisited

A few years ago I posted an insight about the poor and the rich. It really wasn’t a well written or particularly well developed insight; just a few notes I had pulled together and felt were worth sharing. It resonated with a lot of people back then, and since even more tend to read my blog now (thanks!) it seemed worthwhile to post it again. So here, in an unedited form, are a few notes I made several years ago:

Richard Foster wrote that the rich live at the gates of hell. I’m not sure which book it was in, …

Apocryphal, Random Thoughts,

My 2012 Predictions

A friend recently asked me what was going to happen in 2012. I looked at him curiously … why would he think I’d have a clue? He persisted, “Make some predictions. I’m curious what you are thinking.”

Well … hmmm …

I never did answer him and instead promised a junkyard wisdom post about the question. So, at the risk of looking like a total idiot a year from now, here are ten predictions for 2012.

1. The economy is going to slowly improve. Liberals will decry even fatter Wall Street bonuses as they brag about a recovery under an …

Random Thoughts,

Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Oh, the brilliance of Charles Schulz. May the Charlie Brown Christmas Special be aired forever. Merry Christmas to all!

http://youtu.be/DKk9rv2hUfA

…

Random Thoughts,

David Cameron Celebrates The King James Bible

It’s the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, and last summer I had the opportunity to see some of the earliest versions on display in Oxford. Apparently UK Prime Minister David Cameron was invited to speak about the importance of this historical translation, and I found his comments stunning. You could see an American President making this speech (maybe), but it is unusually bold from an English politician. I love it!

Prime Minister David Cameron:

It’s great to be here and to have this opportunity to come together today to mark the end of this very special 400th anniversary …

Book Reviews, Random Thoughts,

The Sword of the Lord, by Joseph Hocking

I’ve been told that this blog post — which is really a book review — is going to tick some people off. I honestly hope not. But if so, so be it ….

The Sword of the Lord is a romantic tale of adventure written by Joseph Hocking over 100-years ago. I bought my copy at Chaucer Head Bookshop in Stratford-upon-Avon. The inside cover has a label that indicates it was a prize awarded to “Mary” at the “Children’s Sixth Protestant Demonstration” in 1910. I liked the style of the book binding and the curious story of a young girl …