Above All Love

As some may know, one of my favorite saints is Saint Francis of Assisi. Whilst I don't agree on all his teachings I have always admired this wealthy man turned poor Saint.  In a time animals were mere food or inconvenience he loved animals.  In a time of a huge gap between the rich and poor he loved and identified with the poor. In a time of religious corruption he was a reformer before the Reformation.  In a time where love had waxed cold he loved.  In a time of war and crusades he stood for peace at great expense to himself. His time is not unlike today in fact.  His example is relevant to us.  The Canticle of the Sun ​ (Translation by Matthew Arnold) ​O most high, almighty, good Lord God, to thee belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing! To thee alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce thy Name. ​Praised be my Lord God with all his creatures, and specially our brother the sun, who brings us the day and who brings ...

Link to sign the declaration: Church at the Crossroads

Describe your take on the Charlie Kirk murder: I have held off judgement as whatever happens he was human and I refuse to speak ill of any dead. I agreed with him on some things and strongly disagreed on other things. I will let God be his judge, not me.  None the less I always have questions: Was it weird Netanyahu said it wasn't him?  Why this one killing got so much attention when it is daily, even hourly in the USA?  What's in the files?  Why wasn't the flags even at half mast for the senators murdered only months before for example?  Thoughts about the service I admittedlly only saw bits of:  Horst Wessel effect? Pyrotechnic show? Political rally?  Were some people just acting?  Mega church concert? Is revival, as some claim it is, not more than some nice songs and words?  Isn't revival conviction, repentance and fruits showing, social reformation?  Can God not also use it for good even if some of these speakers, as some may claim, ...

It is International Day of Peace today. It is hard to be optimistic or positive given how much is going on in the world. Nonetheless let us dare to dream of a better, more peaceful world, where quiet and peacable peoples may thrive. Many of us are exhausted and overwhelmed, but the struggle and pilgrimage towards peace continues in various pockets of society across the world. May the lights still shine. As a Christian I look to the Prince of Peace as the author and finisher of my faith. There is great darkness in the world, but a much greater light.  Adin Ballou , an American Christian pacifist and abolitionist wrote a book called  Christian Non-Resistance, in all its important bearings, illustrated and defended (1846), which was widely read and admired by Leo Tolstoy. There is a short poetic part in the book that says: ​"The earth, so long a slaughter-field, Shall yet an eden bloom; The spear shall be a harvest-tool, The trumpet's voice be dumb." Another version is...

Today I started an art class. The class has an art therapy style about it. It has been a while since I did something just for me. Not for work, nor for family (although they will likely benefit all being well). It is nice to do something new. I sometimes regret doing Social Sciences and Theology instead of art at university. Nonetheless I suppose those other deep topics are useful in other ways. It is also nice to do art for therapy and pleasure as a pose to academic pursuit. Hopefully I will be able to share some art or at least more about art in a future post. Watch this space... 

Dear fellow Christians, ​This is an open letter about the terrible conflict in Israel and Palestine.  The killing is so hard to watch, and it just breaks our hearts. As followers of Jesus, we have to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus say about all of this?" ​Jesus Wasn't an Israeli or a Palestinian ​Some people involved in this conflict try to claim Jesus for "their side." They might say He was Palestinian because He lived in that area. Or they might say He was Israeli because He was Jewish. ​But these modern political groups didn't even exist when Jesus was on Earth. Jesus was a Jewish man who lived 2,000 years ago. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which was in the region of Judea. However, he grew up and spent most of his life in the town of Nazareth, which was in the region of Galilee. Because of this, he is often referred to as "Jesus of Nazareth" or "the Galilean." At that time, the Romans were in charge of the l...

Acts 8:1-5 Despite being persecuted and in suffering, the church continues the work of sharing the gospel. They gave their best and didn't give up. Don't assume that in suffering, God is not on the job. We follow a crucified Lord. However, some Christians seem to think that depression and disillusionment are signs of sin. This is clearly untrue. (cf Psalm 22:1 and the words from the cross). His light shines brightest in the valley. Managing uncertainty forces us to rely on God. He is our refuge and our strength. As we walk with Him, He will strengthen us even as we go through the valleys and storms of life. Jesus can see around every corner, and he has got our backs. Worries will come. But, turn your worries into prayers and petitions. Place it all in God's hands. Sometimes, it is OK to say things are not OK. But, the Lord's work continues.