Apprentice 2 Jesus

Politics

  • Random Weekend Thoughts

    We had a fast and furious trip to Duluth to see our son in the musical “Pippin.” As I drive I have a lot of thoughts tumble through, none of which I can remember for very long. To develop them is a lot of fun… but maybe for another time… and privately. Some thoughts along… Read more

  • Learning to weep with those weep

    I  will never have the whole Middle East thing figured out. (That will disappoint many conservative friends… and that’s just the way it is.) My heart breaks with the news I hear, the posts I read from missionaries, the posts I read from the churches in those areas. Rather than identify with those suffering, we… Read more

  • The Political Jesus

    When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, it was a time the crowd decided to boldly make a play for his leadership. They laid out palms, as symbols of Jewish nationalism. They cried out for their King to save them… from the Roman oppression. Jesus wants our praise and celebration. “But too often we only… Read more

  • Let us be willing to die for something different

    I want to know the feeling of “dying” for something different. By that I mean having a desperation for something that is just more. A place where I get beyond the internet fascinations of whatever is being discussed in the moment… and the tirades… to the possible. Not the possible of what can be done… Read more

  • Use this day as a wonderful “news-free” day

    All the news today will be about the incompetent government we have… but we already knew that! So, it’s a great opportunity for a news junkie like me to keep completely away from all news sources which will all parrot the same information. It’s a great day for prayer, because GOD doesn’t shut down his… Read more

  • The Book of Esther, Egypt, and Syria

    When Haman was able to convince Xerxes to annihilate the Jews, the end of Chapter 3 says this: “The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.” Another translation read: the city was in an uproar. There was confusion. Looking at the text notes of the NET Bible, I… Read more

  • Living in the City — Silly Government Costs

    One government issue that always gets to me is when state legislatures spend far more time on fringe issues rather than do things like, oh, pass budgets. And then… the things they pass budgets FOR… oy! Living in Minneapolis, with the I-35 bridge collapse a few years ago, I really focus on government providing for… Read more

  • The Tax Man Approacheth

    A classic Dave Barry thought: Q: Are we ever going to have a federal tax system that regular people can understand? A: Our top political leaders have all voiced strong support for this idea. Q: So you’re saying it will never happen? A: Right. Read more

  • Solving the Political Impasse

    My family has figured out how to settle the impasse politicians have these days when it comes to… well… ANYTHING. So, to pass a budget, we recommend following the rules of the Catholic conclave (modified). If they can elect a POPE in three ballots, surely some modified rules can get a budget passed in Congress.… Read more

  • A Whole Lotta Nuthin’

    All the talk of “sequestration” and drastic cuts continue. We are on the verge of catastrophe, I’m sure. Or, maybe not. In this article, there are both extremes. To one side:  California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters cautioned that “over 170 million jobs” were at risk. (That would mean negative employment, considering there aren’t even that… Read more