At the heart of the abortion debate and the Hobby Lobby contraception debate lies the follow concept: body ownership. Other factors weigh into the discussion, but the question of "What right have you to tell me what to do with my body?" pops up with great frequency. Since all adults once filled elementary schools as children, we could reasonably pose a clarifying question: "Has it always been your body?" An article on CNN.com from 2012 answers that question unequivocally: the child owns her body. I've read it several times, and thought about how I am raising my own children. I've wondered … [Read more...] about Who Owns My Children’s Bodies?
What Has Near to Do With Far?
"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. They higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation." Augustine I'm an international missions guy. In my years of ministry, the international side of things has always occupied my heart and mind. Teaching methods and theological perspectives always run through a cross cultural filter. Traveling and speaking in the U.S. usually requires me to discuss what I've accomplished while overseas. My involvement in a specific … [Read more...] about What Has Near to Do With Far?
They Really Don’t Know Us
"....The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known him. " 1 John 3:1 In the late 90's, somewhere in post-communist eastern Europe, a flood swept through urban areas, destroying homes and submerging government buildings. An IMB worker in the area met with community leaders, conveying prayers, condolences, and a large amount of financial support from Baptist disaster relief organizations. Stunningly, local authorities initially rejected the money, shoving it aside with a wave of suspicion that rivaled the still-receding floodwaters. "Money? Why? What for? … [Read more...] about They Really Don’t Know Us
Judging Another Man’s Coffee
The State of Texas has done it again. Highly credible internet sources (duh!) report that Texas resident Andrew Chifari ordered the most expensive Starbucks drink in history, a $54.75 monstrosity containing 60 shots of espresso, chocolate syrup, protein powder, and apparently gold leaf. That's right: the state that gave the nation Ross Perot, Gary Busey, and the Cadillac Ranch managed to produce someone with both the imagination and the cardiac fortitude to create and consume a 128-ounce caffeinated beverage, all on a free-drink coupon. The teeming masses of our grateful and quite … [Read more...] about Judging Another Man’s Coffee