I have always struggled with motion-sickness. When I am on a car or a plane or a boat, my whole world seems to be spinning and I am always on the edge of nausea. I find myself longing to put my feet on solid ground. Some of us feel this way in relationship to our current culture. The solid Judeo-Christian values of our culture have eroded. Marriage … [Read more...]
The Importance of the City
I grew up in a small town and enjoyed swimming and fishing in the summer, hunting in the fall and playing pond hockey in the winters. I talk to many people who long for simpler times in rural America. Having said all that, I am increasingly convinced of the importance of cities. And after 23 years in Grand Rapids, I have appreciated the strategic … [Read more...]
Entering the Kingdom
C.S. Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia to communicate the powerful truths of the gospel. Narnia, like earth, was filled with beauty, brokenness, evil and redemption. Lewis wrote the series in 1940 during the outbreak of WWII. The people of London were anxious and fearful. The four Pevensie children were sent away from their parents because of … [Read more...]
Always Advancing
General George S. Patton was a legendary figure in World War II. But he was not necessarily well-liked by President Franklin Roosevelt or General Dwight Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. Patton was supremely arrogant. He had a brash and audacious manner – always looking for the limelight. His language was atrocious. … [Read more...]
Christian Patriotism
I have a cousin who was born in Japan to American parents. As a result, he has dual citizenship. Christians share a similar designation. We are citizens of the particular country where we were born or where we now reside. But we are also citizens of God’s kingdom. On this 4th of July weekend filled with excitement and national pride, let’s consider … [Read more...]