Careful Thinking: Years ago I had a chance to interview John Stott. It didn’t go well. He was gracious, and his answers were profound, but I could tell he didn’t think much of my questions. Later that day I heard him say, “generalities are the refuge of a weak mind.” I couldn’t help but think he was remembering the interview. Ouch. But upon review, I realized he was right. I’ve thought about his comments a lot lately. I doubt “Uncle John” would be surprised by today’s discourse. I am certain he would be disappointed.
Hammerhead Sharks: In middle school I wrote a report on hammerhead sharks. About all I remember is that they’re one of nature’s true cannibals, even occasionally eating their young. I thought about them this week after watching the Cancel Culture start to consume itself. You’d be disappointed in me if I told you how much joy I found in that, so I will keep those thoughts to myself and direct you instead to this WSJ editorial by New York’s Archbishop, Timothy Dolan. It’s entitled, Even the Bible is Full of Flawed Characters, and it’s available here.
July! I’m not sure if I like this because it’s funny or because it’s prophetic.
Our Hope to be Holy: I started this update by citing Hebrews 12. Lest you think I think we can raise our game on our own, let me cite C.S. Lewis. In Mere Christianity he notes that the Christian life is not about “reading what Jesus said and then trying to carry it out” in our own strength. Instead, “The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself. He is beginning, so to speak, to ‘inject’ His kind of life and thought, His Zoe [life], into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin.” Away with tin. Bring the life!
A Simple Request: I’m still waiting for Congress to pass a law preventing global and national crises from overlapping.
Quotes Worth Requoting: The New Testament proclaims that at some unforeseeable time in the future, God will bring down the final curtain on history, and there will come a Day on which all our days and all the judgments upon us and all our judgments upon each other will themselves be judged. The judge will be Christ. Frederick Buechner:
Clueless: And here is a report to make you feel old, clueless or confused. Forbes recently reported that Esports revenues are about to break $1 billion and that audiences are already greater than American football and rugby combined. It’s 40% annual growth suggest it may soon become “the most financially lucrative market on the planet.” If you want to read the article, click here. If you have no idea what I am writing about and need a definition of esports, click here.
Closing Prayer: O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind, and soul. You know me through and through. In and through you, everything that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion.
Why, then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of you? Why do I keep relating to you as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded? Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make you the only One? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to you?
“Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let me die to the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn in you and see through the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thoughts can become a hymn of praise to you.
I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom. Amen. Henri Nouwen