During a retreat recently led by a colleague, this question came so clearly to me: “Do you have any idea what I think of you?” It had been some time since I had thought about whether God loved me or what He thought of me. Not that I didn’t deeply need the affirmation. We all… Read More Any idea what I think of you?
Life on the margins has its own power, but it also has its own special pain. After all, it is easier to live in the center where power is, where you feel you can have an impact on events and people that the margin doesn’t provide. But throughout history many of the key social, political… Read More Living on the margins away from the centers of power
I am hesitant to write on political matters, whether about my birth nation of the United States or my adopted land of India. But there are times when I find it hard to remain silent. In the last couple of days, the US President uttered these words to four congresswomen, ‘Go back to where you… Read More ‘Go back to where you came from’? Very sad words from President Trump
Ever been in a gathering (or one on one) when someone starts sharing pain from their story, whether personal or group related? Or has that person ever been you? What usually happens? Well, quite often one or more people listening will feel compelled to share their own story of pain, however dissimilar, hoping somehow that… Read More Why do we have to ‘identify’ when someone is sharing their pain?
In the art of blogging, (which I’m still learning!), the pros say that having a provocative headline question can gain readers. Did it work? Does this headline cause you to feel a degree of pushback, especially if you are from the USA? Some may immediately disagree, wanting to say how friendly and polite the nation… Read More Is the United States a Cruel Nation?
Being in-between destinations, not part really of either one, has a special pain to it. Another word for it is transition, and transitions can be of durations as short as a day to ones lasting many years. Living in the in-between space is living in the margins, hoping that somehow there is hope ahead and… Read More The Pain of In-betweenness
The news this week from Christchurch, New Zealand was heartbreaking. Fifty Muslim men, women and children gunned down by a 29 year old during prayers. Some on Facebook and other social media have pointed out the other killings this week in places like Nigeria of Christians by Muslims, but why is this needed? Why can’t… Read More Do you feel connected in heart to Muslims?
Does your outward life match what is within? Or is the mask firmly in place, only to be taken off in extremely safe and lonely places? Outward declarations of intent to be something are really not worth much, if they are not matched by an inner reality that corresponds at least to the desire if… Read More Does your outward life match what is inside?
In three days a new year will start. Time for fresh grace, fresh opportunities. Leaving behind the regrets of 2018, taking stock of life anew. This coming year is a milestone one for me: turning 60 years old, celebrating 30 years of marriage, and 40 years in the mission I serve with. Arriving at 60… Read More How would you like to receive a blessing from a 101 year old Genocide survivor?
On a walk in a Portland neighborhood with my sister and brother recently, a rather scary scene greeted us. It was a skeleton reaching out from the earth skywards, a grimace on its skull. Then I remembered it was the day before Halloween. (and yes, I am the kind of person who takes photos of… Read More The Power of the Past to Haunt Us
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