Category Archives: awakening

Transparency and Trust

July 25th, 2016 |

Dear Secretary Clinton,
Transparency often opens doors of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Hiding from truth only increases suspicion form others and soul-diminishing inner conflict.

Nixon lost his presidency because of his paranoia and refusal to clean house and acknowledge the nefarious actions of his administration. Chuck Colson went to prison for his role – and what he did would be seen as minor infractions compared to today’s corruption.

Madam Secretary, you would be amazed at how relieved your followers would be if you fully accept your responsibility for poor decisions at Benghazi and carelessness in your communication, along with potential and real conflicts of interest with your Foundation.

Your enemies may not change, but supporters and undecideds might forgive and go forward. For policy reasons, you do not have my vote, but I am willing to extend grace and respect if the stonewalling will stop and real policy debates can begin in the campaign.

I pray for you and your husband that desire for power will give way to humility and service.

I cannot and will not judge your heart, but I tearfully plead for accountability and integrity – for your soul and the soul of our nation.

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Think Deeply – Act Decisively. A New Era of Conversation Begins

June 17th, 2014 |

Welcome to my new website!
As the “Messenger to the Thoughtful” it is my delight to offer insights that will prompt serious thought and positive action. For eleven years I have been writing here and it is time for a fresh look and expanded influence.

In the coming season I will offer weekly essays on a variety of topics, from international events to personal spiritual growth, historical reflections to incisive commentary on immediate events.

If you enjoy thinking deeply, welcome to the conversation! We may differ and I look forward to your commendations and criticisms. If you want words that merely reinforce your current ideas or provide fodder for anger, please find another place to offer your attention.

We will explore several domains of the human experience here on this website. Human beings are spiritual creatures. Our conscious (and sometimes unconscious) understanding of God, the universe, personal purpose and “life after life” shapes all other concerns. I will unashamedly address spiritual and theological issues. I do so as a devout Christian in the Pentecostal tradition, an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, and part of a global Christian family numbering in the billions. I love my faith and “tribe” but see Christ working in and through all who adore the Triune God and believe the efficacy of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

We will explore human wholeness, learning together what inner health is all about and the many great resources available for personal and social maturity. Included here are healthy relationships – with family and friends, colleagues and neighbors and among nations.

We will explore human vocations – the callings bestowed by God that shape what we offer the world. From spiritual gifts to professional prowess, every person has something to contribute for the life of the world.

We will look at the world of economics and work, locally and globally. Every person is a steward of divine resources, endowed by the Creator with gifts, skills, opportunities and relationships to serve others.

We will explore cultural, political and social realities, always going “back to the future” in our analysis. We want to learn from history without insipid nostalgia that clouds our vision or impedes our progress. With want to live in hope, creating a preferred future that empowers others and leaves a flourishing reality for future generations.

We will enjoy exploring local, national and global events, politics and trends and look for ways forward that are enriching for all. We will be principled, but not partisan. We will be passionate without being mean-spirited. We can be patriotic without being exclusive or superior.

Please join the conversation. Check out our partners for great insights and resources. Lend your thoughts to this new community of the thoughtful. Share this site with your friends. Above all, love god and neighbor and think deeply…then act decisively from timeless principles and in service to others.

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One Moment Changes the World

February 24th, 2014 |

One moment can change the world. Billions of human decisions are made every day across the globe. On the surface, most are innocuous or mundane, from changing a diaper to going to work. Sometimes they are history-altering, such as protests in the Ukraine or stock market crashes or rallies.

Sometimes unforeseen changes begins with a simple decision. St. Francis begins to rebuild an church one brick at a time…and a movement still vibrating begins. John Wycliffe begins translating the Bible into English and now billions can read the Scriptures in their own tongues. Bartolomeo de las Casas protests slavery and the long road to Emancipation begins. William Wilberforce stays in politics and fights for the end of slavery and scores of other causes for 50 years.

The challenges of the USA compel action, but voices of change are quickly drowned out in a sea of agitprop polemics. The current levels of hypocrisy and self-deception, short-term thinking and political manipulation are unprecedented in our history. It is not only the elites that are to blame. Millions of people are consciously or unconsciously capitulating to a fatalism of inaction. The gulf between professed principles and actual practices in widening daily. Consider:

  • “Everyone” loves the concept of a balanced budget. But no one will even begin with small cuts in over bloated salaries.
  • Immigration should be guided by law, but anyone supporting a modicum of regulation is a racist or xenophobe.
  • Millions are looking for work, but unwilling to labor in fields or service jobs.
  • Leaders decry the influence of lobbyists, then join their ranks as they depart “public service.”
  • Amoral anarchy is lamented as millions quietly engage in vicarious games and entertainment venues.
  • Tobacco is social evil number one…but billions of tax dollars flow from its consumption and we are making a worse mistake with “medical” marijuana. 
  • We advocate a healthy lifestyle, then pass out condoms to middle-school kids and offer “4th meal” fried food at midnight (to all the consumers of “medical marijuana.”)
Lamenting these and other evils, from abortion to divorce, redefinitions of marriage and family, educational outcomes and government intrusions into religion is easy – changing minds, hearts and wills in not.
Cries for spiritual awakening are the best start…and may they grow in intensity and sincerity.
Calls for activism and voting are helpful.
Maybe there is one more step…or millions of steps…that can propel lasting change. Perhaps each of us can have one moment that changes the world.
Our one moment arrives unexpectedly. It is veiled in other apparently “normal” decisions. Our moment dawns as we decide each day to love God supremely, love our neighbors unselfishly through our work and demonstrate in deed and declaration the veracity of the first principles that make for a flourishing life and society. If millions of “ordinary” people embark on a devoted and disciplined pathway of reverence for God, respect for all people, rigorous self-examination and right practices in their private and public life, the world will change. 
Some may emerge as leaders, even historic figures. Others will be agents of change one relationship at a time. Instead of continual lamentation, let’s ceaselessly labor for the common good. Instead of captivity to edutainment, let’s learn the proven pathways that yield prosperity for future generations. Instead of immediate pleasure, let’s infuse principles that allow the next generation to flourish.
One moment changes the world – it is our decision today.
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