Culture – Apprentice 2 Jesus

We must break our idolatry

The contrast of the culture

I couldn’t get over the contrast on the page of The New York Times when I went to their page today. The first thing that caught me was the breaking news story of the tornadoes that killed 23 people in Mississippi overnight. We woke up to pouring rain, so I was wondering how much weContinue reading “The contrast of the culture”

We are human… don’t become less

Some good thoughts in an age where “AI” writes papers, articles, journal articles, tells you the milk is low in the fridge and you’re not moving enough: If, say, you’re a college student preparing for life in an A.I. world, you need to ask yourself: Which classes will give me the skills that machines willContinue reading “We are human… don’t become less”

Emotion and rage

“Unmanaged rage is not helpful for anyone and can do more harm than good for the person who harbors it.” — Catherine Meeks, The Night is Long But Light Comes in the Morning

Elections — the small windows of victory

Alabama still has the nation’s longest constitution. The change will be that now it will be minus racist language. There are small victories. On Election Day, the state ballot measure passed to change the wording in the nation’s longest state constitution to remove racist language. The state constitution has been in place since 1901. ToContinue reading “Elections — the small windows of victory”

Idols that need destroying

“Awakening to love can happen only as we let go of our obsession with power and domination.” — bell hooks You have to knock over a few idols along the way. The gods of this age are controlling. They have a chokehold in all that we do in every institution existing in our culture. WhenContinue reading “Idols that need destroying”

Lost time

I came down with COVID this week. It was a good run. I made it to this point, so I’m thankful. At some point in my first couple of days of battling some nasty symptoms, I began to lament time I was “losing.” Appointments to be rescheduled. I even thought, “Goodness! I had two weeksContinue reading “Lost time”

Extreme views and the fall of democracy

Christian nationalism is a hot topic. Extreme ideologies to both sides are a worry to me. Each extreme works to tell people what IS right, which is THEIR way. But Christian nationalism is of concern because it rips out the bedrock bellied to love our neighbor. This edition of the Holy Post podcast truly deservesContinue reading “Extreme views and the fall of democracy”

A study in contrasts

I am beginning a deeper dive into 1 Timothy and doing an overview of the letter. It brings out a certain contrast I see in our current context. Kingdom living: There is bad behavior around you. Contrast that with good behavior. Christian Nationalism: There is bad behavior… therefore we must ELIMINATE THE THREAT!

Violence and fear is our DNA

I was listening to a podcast discussing Christian Nationalism. It reminded me that for decades now all political campaigns on a more national level have mostly run on fear. “Elect us (our agenda/ideology), or this nation will collapse (or some other disaster will ensue).”