I must admit I have the advantage of age in writing this piece. In my younger years I was not slow to speak or slow to anger. I also have the advantage of friends that I have made and been able to observe. One of my friends, Dani, is married to a man that is the quintessential “strong and silent” type. Dani says of him that he only speaks about 6 words a day and 3 of them are “I love you” and so she stays. This is hyperbole but based on a great degree of truth. Allen doesn’t say a lot, he listens more carefully than may be apparent and when he begins to share a few words it pays to listen. Not doing so misses the opportunity of garnering some pearls of wisdom. In many ways Allen reflects in his character the words of James 1:19-20:

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God”

James is right of course. When Continue reading …

Last week I commented on President Obama’s use of Psalm 46 at the memorial at ground zero. But sitting presidents aren’t the only ones who want to use scripture and theology. Wanna Be presidents do as well. So this week we look at two different quotes by Rick Perry, the GOP saint or a cross between a knuckle-dragging ape and the prince of darkness depending on who you ask. Perry has caused a bit of a stir when he proffered a of C.S. Lewis’ “Lord-Liar-Lunatic” argument when he said:

Many want to recognize Jesus as a good teacher, but nothing more. But why call him ‘good’ if he has lied about his claims of deity?”

Well, this got all the blogs atwitter (pardon the pun). Would Perry alienate Continue reading …

When Presidential Politicians Quote Scripture

Two politicians made news this week when they quoted scripture. President Obama quoted Psalm 46 and got the interwebz all a buzz and then Wanna Be President Rick Perry tried his hand at theology with similar results.

Here’s a youtube of Obama quoting Psalms:

As these things go, it was a good reading. It was Continue reading …

When I have an opportunity I enjoy watching John Stossel’s Show on FOX (weekly) or FOX Business (daily). John Stossel is a Libertarian and although I disagree with him on many things I find his style engaging, his questions well thought out and sometimes provocative. In a show this past weekend, that I believe was a rerun, he was interviewing various experts on questions like, should the government be involved in marriage? Should drugs be legalized? Should individuals be allowed to sell their organs for a profit? Along the way surrogate pregnancy was mentioned and David Boaz, Executive Vice President of the CATO Institute (a public policy think tank) pointed out that although the surrogate mother’s expenses were reimbursed, they weren’t really allowed to make money on their services. The discussion went further into adoption and the question was raised as to whether parents should be allowed to sell their children. David Boaz responded with the claim that one could not sell their children because a child isn’t property and a parent can’t own them. We might call this the myth of human rights. Continue reading …

From time to time I have the privilege of doing pre-marital counseling with a couple as they prepare for the next big step in their lives. We talk about quite a few things including communication. Definitions are very important. Men and women often have different definitions for the same words. For example, when I was young Joy might ask me if I wanted to go shopping. Without understanding the difference in definitions, relational breakdown was not far off. For me shopping meant getting in the car, driving to the mall, buying her blouse, whatever size and color she had in mind. I would park in front of J.C Penny, second entrance, three spaces back. In an out in 20 minutes! I said, “Sure.”

What Joy meant was, Continue reading …