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It’s Not a Gun Culture
In the past few weeks, just from the “world of sports,” I have observed something again and again. When something tragic happens, like a mass shooting, we get reflective over being a “gun culture.” I don’t think we’re a “gun culture.” I think we’re a culture of violence. The gun owners who give the snide remarks about banning bricks or…
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A sense of awe
One of my favorite movies is “Apollo 13”. As I watch I see people’s awe at amazing things like landing on the moon. It seems we do not have that sense any more. We seem ho-hum about so many things. Does anything give us a sense of “awe” anymore?
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Language Shifts Indicate Cultural Shifts
David Brooks has a column today reflecting on language shifts over the last 50 years. His observations are interesting. Usage of humility words like “modesty” and “humbleness” dropped by 52 percent. Usage of compassion words like “kindness” and “helpfulness” dropped by 56 percent. Meanwhile, usage of words associated with the ability to deliver, like “discipline” and “dependability” rose over…
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Being Prepared to Lose
I was asked yesterday about the church and influencing society and culture. When will the church be the “go to” place for a culture to come? When a society is failing and they are looking for answers, when will the church be the place they turn? Having just finished the series on Daniel and knowing the influence of Daniel and…
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Empires
12 Now there are some Jews, ones you appointed to administer the province of Babylon—specifically, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored your command. They don’t serve your gods, and they don’t worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Dan. 3:12, CEB) What happens when belief clashes with culture? When the idols of the culture are so prevalent and your lack of…
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A Pro-Life Ethic in a Sexually Charged Culture
This story really caught my attention for several reasons. 1. It’s in Iowa. I thought this might be something from New York or California or Florida. But this case happened in Iowa. 2. The court’s decision was 7-0. No dissenting votes. The boss could actually fire his employee because she was too attractive. But beyond that, I thought about the…
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Nothing Good Happens at 2 a.m.
There was a radio show that ran in the Twin Cities called “Garage Logic.” I think it still runs in a smaller time slot, but the station has been taken over by sports talk and “Garage Logic” has been severely scaled back. The premise of the show was just common sense. One of their favorite sayings was that “Nothing good…
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The True Impact of the Gospel
I am preaching on Acts 19 this morning. It is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. In this text I find hope for the Church. It is not a matter of political power. Rome was in power and no one could elect anyone, at least as emperor. But 12 people impact a city and a region. Lives were radically…
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Our World at Boiling Point
From Aurora, CO to Milwaukee, WI to College Station, TX to Louisiana today, there is always evidence that we are a world coming apart. It’s always been that way. It’s the world, after all. As believers, is it possible to have a different type of conversation? Is it possible to engage in some sort of civil discourse that can tackle…
Tag: Culture
