Insights on the Journey

This is a national holiday in the U.S., and one that has been celebrated for more than 120 years. That’s why we have an abbreviated issue of Smart Ministry this week. But we wanted to reflect briefly on the meaning of Labor Day. Traditionally, Labor Day is a day off in tribute to, and recognition [...]

In early 2003, President George W. Bush invaded Iraq. He was widely criticized for having a “cowboy mentality” and being too quick to act. In 2011, Libyan rebels have begun an attempt to remove Moammar Gadhaffi from office. Even while they asked for help from the West as their numbers were killed, President Barack Obama did not act. He is being widely criticized for “dithering” and being too slow to act.

The new 2011 edition of the New International Version (NIV) was released this week, and public feedback came from a surprising source. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) congratulated the translation committee for making the new version more gender-inclusive, but asked them to make the next version species-inclusive. “The group is asking translators [...]

In their haste to make their feelings known on the subject of hell, some things are being said that seem inappropriate when we consider New Testament teaching on how we are to treat our brothers and sisters.

For the vast majority of my life, I wasn’t a morning person. I suspect that if I took enough time off, my body would probably still return to its long-time circadian rhythm of a 2 a.m. – 10 a.m. sleep cycle. Like many, I’m simply not a morning person.

I was invited by Yahoo! News to write a commentary, and I was delighted to do so. The terms of our arrangement were that the article would be exclusive to Yahoo! and their properties, but for those who are interested you can find it at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110323/pl_ac/8124072_handing_leadership_of_action_in_lybia_to_eu_force_good_for_us

I’m concerned that we have become so polarized that we’ve lost sight of the fact that nearly everything has nuances. I’ve spoken of grace, and immediately been attacked in strong terms as being soft on sin.  (Anybody remember Jesus and the woman caught in adultery?) I’ve spoken of loving our neighbors, and immediately been attacked [...]

There has been a great deal written lately about problems between the Islamic and Christian worlds.  And indeed there has been quite a lot to write about.  But Jesus called us to an attitude of hope, and in the past week there have been a couple of events that I think are positive signs. Abu [...]

There can be little doubt that religious extremism is on the rise around the world and in all religions.  And while atheists seethe when you describe their beliefs as a religion, it is certainly a set of beliefs about spiritual/supernatural things whose adherents use those beliefs to make significant life decisions.  The U.S. 7th Circuit [...]

Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead this afternoon in his Centennial apartment, in what the Arapahoe Country Sheriff’s Office is calling an “apparent suicide.” The investigation is still under way, but Sheriff Grayson Robinson confirmed that it appears this 23 year old man decided life was no longer worth living. What is [...]