Here's some straight talk- fasten your seat belt for this read. First, what urban renewal and re-claiming AIN'T: It's not about big political swat teams nor big biz money who are part of why food deserts, lousy water and sewer services, trashed roads and sidewalks, and "moving 'them' out so we can control and establi$h white control of infrastructure and gain ever more power and money...". So much for loving "the least of these" in need who have a different culture or history

For several years now folks in education, science, psychology and sociology fields have been thinking, writing and talking about both students and others doing less screen time, and many have come to the decision it's time to return to pencil and paper, simple writing that focuses more of the brain and our attention to details on tactile pages rather than digital devices. I could write a lot about AI, constant algorithm drive-by's, advertisements, pop-ups, totally fake websit

When one considers Paul's 1st and 2nd letters to the people of the church in Corinth -and recognizes the hot mess they often were even as fully blessed by God as they were (which Paul cites several times) we can and should live in hope if we seek and follow Jesus, imperfectly as we all do. There are several verses that are so incredibly encouraging which I'll send you to via the link but here I simply wish to focus on what he wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 8: "He

My late and amazing friend George Verwer (founder of Operation Mobilization) regularly spoke about people in the wide church world and even in O.M. having to face becoming disillusioned. I've written on this before in my posts but today think it good to say a bit more. Stop, breathe, in your relationship to God, your spouse, your friend/s, local church or other Christian gathering, workplace, social gathering people -has there NEVER been a moment or day or sometimes lingering

I've been thinking what many of you have- the world has become a huge bowl of mistrust. From conniving, lies and propaganda, political "leaders" to preachers, lawyers and sometimes judges likewise, from backslidden and so-called followers of Jesus all the way to... ahem... you and I in various ways and times in our own lives has their not been deceit and deception? There are sooooooooooooooooooooo many scammers in cyberspace and at the auto shop and other repair places, on an

I get it- people are tired, often overloaded and overwhelmed by various work, family, illnesses, the political spit (and little polish) and cares of this world. Jesus warned about how "the cares of this world" have the capacity to tarnish and warp us with regard to God. So off "to church" on Sunday morning and in some cases perhaps Sunday night or even Wednesday for prayers, songs and singing, hopefully a relating, inspiring Word of God given by a thoughtful and lively speake

Traveling light? Deciding what to pack is always interesting, especially if you travel as much as I do it's essential. Well I always come home with a few items I never wore -or turned out I hadn't needed but better to have extra as sometimes schedules and travel changes happen. I recall a trip to Germany where the airline lost all my luggage for a couple days... but I did get a fresh set of clothes, toiletries and a very cool travel kit that I use to this very day from it, so

There are a large load of reasons why most of us think politics are foul even to the point of hating them. It's one of the few things I truly hate too -and yet... James and other of the human Bible writers moved by God the Holy Spirit call us all out on selfish ambition and certainly that within personal ambition, it's focus is too often on us, not on God or others. Like me, you've heard and quoted "Practice makes perfect" but of course it doesn't literally make perfect and n

John in his Gospel, chapter 1 verse 4 makes what on the surface seems a rather plain statement about Jesus Christ: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. NASB 95 "The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people". GNT "In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people". NRSV He goes on to say the light shines in darkness and that darkness cannot extinguish, can never put an end to it. Jesus Himself stated in public “I am the light o

There is a worship song that includes the phrase "You are the God of all creation Lord we bless you". But what happens when in our limited knowledge, wisdom and grasp of Who God IS ("I AM") and in view of Father/Son/Spirit? What sort of god do we create? When the searching travelers following the star found Jesus with His earthly parents he was a young boy, not a babe in a manger. They bowed down and worshiped Him -as He was/is-. The thought strikes me we sometimes get creat

Unless God is Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who provides) there are times and situations in our lives we -have no provision-. Reality. Our ignorance, lack of humility, deficit of "eyes to see" often obscures this fact, and further that "every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of heavenly lights", "...and my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory", even that "God gives us all things to richly enjoy" and plenty more Bible truths, stories of Hi

A major flaw in people which often spawns distaste for others is lack of learning, education, lack of creative invention, lack of being eclectic themselves. Eclectic? " composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources". If you've read my writings for very long you've likely noticed one of my go-to views is "there's always a work-around". Except for salvation and eternal life in Jesus alone, there is most of the time, more than one way to get something accomplished. It's t

Ever been in a car when the brakes "went out" -quit working? Ever needed a break from the daily grind or family chaos? Did the Spirit of God ever impress upon you the need for a humble, repentant heart before God -the need to be broken? All of us -need- brakes and breaks of all kinds. Dependence, relationship to God and blessings come by both! ALL good! While artists and all types of makers create in part to imagine and then construct something, I say we all need moments of

I mean really, not just another night sleeping rough in the fields facing whatever weather, minding sheep, wolves and God knows what else near the bottom end of society. What a raving shock for an angel appearing like lightning in the sky speaking to -them-! Then a mass of singing angels shining bright and sounding out the prophetic fulfillment of GREAT JOY to all people. Not quite the same-old same-old to these smelly sheep herders -who after freaking out... what... either l

Let's think about two rather common  ways of reality in life. I have known many people who struggle pretty much continually with depression. There are so many reasons and I have to say, truly understandable reasons- to be depressed about one's life, and the many inequities, injustices in this world! But those who mostly live with a general sense of satisfaction can at times be rather numb and uncaring for the struggles of others. Both of these issues remind me of a  phrase th