politics
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Before You Blame Israel, I Have Some Questions…
I recently breakfasted with a Christian friend—an articulate, intelligent gentleman who, for reasons he withheld, informed me that Israel was genocidal in Gaza and the chief aggressor in latest Middle East conflict. He was a former longtime parishioner under my pastoral ministry, but his comments, which were not open to discussion, I found extremely troubling.…
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EXTRA: That Really Stupid Iran Deal and what God Says About It
‘All right, Sparky, here’s the deal…’ Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz over ceasefire violations. Message received. ‘We won—we’re on a mission from God more than ever and NOTHING will prevent our ultimate victory! Allahu Akbar!’ And what’s their openly oft-stated goal? The downfall of western civilization, the annihilation of Israel, the extinction of the…
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The Perfect 3-Point Sermon
“If we lived in a state where virtue was profitable, common sense would make us saintly. But since we see that abhorrence, anger, pride and stupidity commonly profit far beyond charity, modesty, justice and thought, perhaps we must stand fast a little—even at the risk of being heroes.” —Sir Thomas More, from the play, A…
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Beyond the Reach of Darkness
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tower high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him…
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A World of Geldings
“You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more ‘drive,’ or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or ‘creativity.’ [But] In a sort of ghastly simplicity, we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at…
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The Unelected
Democracy makes people rulers, ideologies are their battlefields and votes are their swords—until a real King happens along… “As Christians we know that here we have no continuing city—that crowns roll in the dust and every earthly kingdom must sometime flounder, whereas we acknowledge a King men did not crown and cannot dethrone, as we are citizens of…
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In Case of Turbulence
“Jesus was surrounded by [religious] men who made criticism their constant occupation while missing their opportunity to help the hurting, the hungry and the oppressed.” —Douglas R. McClean Jr. In a turbulent world we can complain or we can serve; the first is about my offended sensibilities; the second, compassion for others—like Jesus in His turbulent world. Complain, and none benefit;…
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Things Are Not As They Seem
Since you’re reading this, it means you’re on the internet, which means you’re up-to-date on the latest headlines. Our senses are assaulted as fear and uncertainty rage from post to tweet. We roar but we’re quite helpless to control the bedlam. But wait… “Things are not as they seem. Evil, though widespread, is not winning. Faithfulness, though costly, is not futile. Affliction, though…
Jay McCarl 