Friendship without Borders

My mother had heart surgery on December 23.  I have been mostly staying at my parent’s house while she recovers; so I haven’t posted anything in the last week.
My friend Charles sent this story about a group called Sojourners who visit persons detained under very bleak circumstances while appeals for asylum are being investigated.  The [...]

A Lesson from Hanukkah

The history behind Hanukkah starts with a ruler who wanted to unify people by abolishing religious distinctions.  He was not entirely opposed to all religious observance, he just wanted to abolish religions he considered primitive and superstitious, such as Judaism.  Antiochus was convinced that Hellenism, the Greek way of life was superior to all others; [...]

No Compromise? (part 2)

Our political climate is intolerant of compromise.  Two people who tried to bring people together are finding out how hard it is to do.
Richard Cizik tried to lead evangelical Christians to compassionate action on a broader range of problems than abortion and traditional marriage.  For example, he believed that if Christians believe in creation, they [...]

Is Compromise Possible?

I am stuck between two generations. Many people of my father’s generation cannot comprehend why anyone would approve of homosexual relationships–and many of my kids’ generation cannot fathom why anyone could possible be opposed to two people loving each other just because they happen to be of the same sex.
The Film “Trembling Before G-D” is [...]

Full Moon Over the Fertile Crescent

Klint sent this picture from Iraq.  The moon was the closest to earth that it has been in several years last week.  We made sure our grandson got a good look at it.  He has been a fan of the moon since he was one year old.

Erich Honecker

Hmm–this is a post I started and never got around to finishing . . .  These are some things I collected just a couple months ago, when we were still gloating over the collapse of socialism.
Until 1990, East Germany was locked in the grip of communist rule. When [...]

Third Sunday in Advent

Here are a couple of selections from Sundays Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year [...]

Give Your Possessions to the Poor and Drink the Best Wine First

Those two sayings sum up the life of following Jesus.  Jesus told a young rich man who wanted to follow him, to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor.  Why did he say that?
First, because the poor needed it.  The rich man wanted to sign up to assist Jesus in his [...]

Four Thumbs Up

Well, I spent my annual cinema budget last night.  My wife and I invited our pastor (the Vagabond Professor) and his wife to see “The Boy in Striped Pajamas” with us.  The movie was very well done and very moving.  I don’t know if you can say a movie about a concentration camp and the [...]

The Boy in Striped Pajamas

Loren, from the German Stammtish, where I go to practice my smiling and nodding skills, recommends the film “The Boy in Striped Pajamas.”
It is about an 8-year-old boy Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer who befriends a Jewish boy he meets across the fence that keeps Shmu’el inside a concentration camp.  It has been [...]

Scottish Hospitality

Margaret, the Berkely Scott hersel, published a story illustrating the Doric speech of NE Scotland.  Here is a brief excerpt:

Aifter we hid oor fish n’chips, Sybil said she wid affy like a bath. Weel, fit she actually said, wis, “Gee you guys, after all I’ve been through today, I’d really love to soak in a [...]

Advent Reading

November 30 was the first Sunday in Advent.  I meant to post an Advent reading, but I was out of town and away from a computer.  Here is a selection from next Sunday’s reading, from the prophet Isaiah:
Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with [...]