June 2019 As many of you know, both cats and I have had nine lives. Back in my days at UC Berkeley, radicalized by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Realpolitik the general public seldom hears about, I was enthralled by Karl Marx’s early philosophical manuscripts. They were utopian, insightful, and very
May 2019 As many of you know, both cats and I have had nine lives. Back in my days at UC Berkeley, radicalized by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Realpolitik the general public seldom hears about, I was enthralled by Karl Marx’s early philosophical manuscripts. They were utopian, insightful, and very
April 2019 “Be Careful What You Pray For.” —The Wisdom of God Few things are more grievous than discovering something you’ve worked on for God ended up advancing Satan’s work instead, at least in the short run. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “God causes all things to work together for good” (Romans 8:28), but
March 2019 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth. —Revelation 5:10 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas
February 2019 Western society, identified by the icons of capitalism, democracy, and the fading social momentum of historic Judeo-Christian values, is fighting for its public life. True Christianity remains guarded in the hearts of God’s people, but public Christianity is under siege and equivocating in its response. It has yet to resolve the question, “Whose
January 2019 A “good report” is not so much news that makes us feel good about something; it is a report that is accurate, true, framed in proper context, and helps us respond properly. Like all of you, I emotionally like good reports more than “bad reports,” but over the years I have tried to
December 2018 I have closed off a very busy year of travel with my first visit to Israel, which seems hardly possible with so many trips all over the world. That said, the timing of going there now seemed present for me. Like those of you who may have never gone, I was profoundly curious,
November 2018 Our upcoming elections are obviously very important for the momentum and direction of our nation. While speculations vary as to the outcome of the Republicans maintaining control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, I expect a relative dead heat in both cases; neither party will make major gains, and they
October 2018 In a period of crisis and uncertainty, it is a really bad time to be confused about the basis upon which sound decisions are made. In a crisis, a clear head is largely the only ticket out. Indeed, most social crises are caused by large numbers of people—especially leaders—being “lost” relative to the
September 2018 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. —Proverbs 29:18 The recent televised events surrounding John McCain’s memorial service were profoundly moving. They featured the last three Presidents of the United States, a host of famous political leaders of state, and truly profound sharing
August 2018 When the first set of wars began in Iraq, we were repeatedly told that we would all be pressed into “shock and awe” as we beheld the US air assaults on our television sets. Indeed, it was an amazing display of “smart bombs,” big bombs, and penetration bombs. Since those bygone days (and
July 2018 What could be worse for the Democratic Party than President Trump appointing four Supreme Court Justices? I know: The majority of African American clergy declaring an anti-racist war on abortion. Well, it looks like it has started. The Church of God in Christ, a global African American church with over 6.5 million members,
June 2018 He created them male and female, and blessed them and named them Mankind at the time they were created. -Genesis 5:2 Historically and globally, sexuality has been far more of a cultural and personal issue than a political issue. Not so today. Issues related to sexuality and the core nature of males and
May 2018 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look
April 2018 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God… But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot
March 2018 Does it ever stop? I mean, the absurdities and brutalities of life that so daily flow and seemingly never abate? This most recent, tragic slaughter of school children will likely be trumped (no pun intended) next week by some other act of absurdity, quickly followed by more equally absurd “remedies” offered by those
