I was outside relaxing with friends on September 8, when we heard the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. The four of us—including a British church denomination leader, a Royal fine artist, and a previous chief operating officer of the Royal Albert Hall—spent some time reflecting on her extraordinary life. It was particularlyContinue reading “Lessons from the Life of a Queen”
Category Archives: News
A Timely Look at Trust in the News
An important exhibition opens at the British Library in London this week. It’s an exhibition taking a timely look at the news and the role it plays in our society – and I’m looking forward to visiting it. It opens as ‘the news’ has never been more contentious and, sadly, the public’s trust in journalistsContinue reading “A Timely Look at Trust in the News”
The Dawn of Uncivilzation
(I recommend reading this perspective in more than one setting. I fear that the author might be tragically right. Your reflections are welcome but study it a day or two before submitting. Thank You.) In the fall of 1992, I was a junior at Middlebury College, and I took a seminar on American foreign policy.Continue reading “The Dawn of Uncivilzation”
Russian Priests Call for End to Ukraine Tragedy
More than 280 priests and deacons of the Russian Orthodox Church are calling for reconciliation and an immediate end to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, stressing that “the Last Judgement awaits all.” “We mourn the ordeal to which our brothers and sisters in Ukraine were undeservedly subjected,” the Russian Orthodox clerics wrote in an openContinue reading “Russian Priests Call for End to Ukraine Tragedy”
The World Changed This Morning
This morning, Russia began invading Ukraine. There have been reports of airstrikes in Kiev, the capital, and more than a dozen other cities. The 190,000 Russian troops that had been stationed around the Ukrainian border are now streaming over it. Ukraine has declared martial law. The invasion, Putin explained just before it began, was not reallyContinue reading “The World Changed This Morning”
What You Can Learn from a Bomb Maker
It felt great to be part of something bigger than myself. Especially when I didn’t have a great sense of who I was. Staying busy kept me from having to ponder that question too deeply, and besides, I was doing so much all the time–surely some of it had to be good? Perhaps that memoryContinue reading “What You Can Learn from a Bomb Maker”
The Atrocities Continue in Myanmar
A Christian charity is calling on the international community to take urgent action after reports of at least 35 civilians being burnt alive in Myanmar on Christmas Eve. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the atrocity was carried out by the Tatmadaw – the Myanmar army – in Kayah State. The victims include elderly people andContinue reading “The Atrocities Continue in Myanmar”
Biblical Archaeology’s Top Ten Discoveries for 2021
10. Herod the Great’s green thumb King Herod—best known in the Bible for ordering the deaths of any infants who might be Jesus’ age—turns out to have had a gardening hobby. Soil samples from excavations at his Jericho palace, taken almost a half century ago, were recently analyzed, and the pollen particles revealed sophisticated horticulture.Continue reading “Biblical Archaeology’s Top Ten Discoveries for 2021”
Understanding What Is Happening In Myanmar
According to my contacts in Yangon, COVID-19 is rife. The confirmed death toll has risen sharply to hundreds per day. Few are vaccinated. Almost a third of public hospitals are or have been closed. Relatives, friends, and aid providers risk being shot or detained as they queue to try to get oxygen cylinders to theContinue reading “Understanding What Is Happening In Myanmar”
Pastor Tackles Gunman During Worship Service
This pastor Sunday (Nov 7), Nashville Light Mission Pentecostal Church’s pastor Ezekiel Ndikumana tackled a man who took the stage, pulled out a gun, and started pointing it at congregants during the pastor’s altar call. The gunman, who has been identified as 26-year-old Dezire Baganda, currently faces up to 15 charges of felony assault and will likely be givenContinue reading “Pastor Tackles Gunman During Worship Service”
Intentional Faith 