Tag: Justice
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Privilege
As a white, straight, middle-class, college-educated, male, Christian, southern-U.S. citizen it’s taken me a while to grasp the place of cultural privilege I’ve been afforded. I never did anything to earn or deserve the opportunities I’ve had, simply because of the life I was born into. Nor have others, more…
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Bravery
Bravery’s hard. Bravery requires risk and vulnerability. Bravery requires facing the likelihood of danger. Bravery requires stepping out of the shadows, and into the light. Bravery requires facing the possibility of failure and defeat. Bravery requires the courage to be real, to be exposed.
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Heroes
As I reflect on my heroes, I see themes emerge: leadership, humility, dissatisfaction with the status quo, authenticity, fearlessness in the face of opposition, service and sacrifice, courage, commitment to change, depth of character, belief that a better world is possible, perseverance, overcoming hardship and resistance, and a deep passion…
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God “Bless?” America
Is it possible we understand the word “blessed” correctly, but expect the wrong outcome? After all, we live in the wealthiest, most prosperous nation on earth. But, what’s all of our wealth and welfare doing for us?
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God meant things to be so much easier…
Is it possible that we’ve created a way of living that’s unhealthy, unsustainable, and undermining the kind of life we actually long for? Is it possible that our values and lifestyles – the values and lifestyles of normal, church-going, law-abiding citizens – are actually completely out-of-whack? Is it possible that…
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“Rights” vs. “Righteousness”
Inevitably… predictably… another mass shooting has inflamed the gun “rights” debate. Again, politicians and pundits are debating the “rights” of gun-owners, guaranteed by the U.S. constitution, versus the “rights” of the innocent victims of gun-violence.
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Charlottesville – Symptoms of a Deeper Disease
As yesterday’s events, in Charlottesville, VA, were unfolding – white supremacist rallies and counter rallies, leading to violence and death – I happened to be finishing T.H. White’s novel, The Once and Future King. The Once and Future King is White’s retelling of the Arthurian legend of King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot,…
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The Sin of Being Passive
I can easily be accused of being passive. I don’t move quickly. I take my time making decisions. I tend to be quiet – taking in more than I express. I don’t get very excited very often. I prefer peace and calm. I don’t show much variation of facial expression. I…
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