Thoughts from other people that made me think… Tim
“The struggle is real,” is not theology. It is many things–even positive things–but it does not change what is actually true. Empathy and experience become our enemy when they form a funnel or filter through which any truth must fit. Of course this all assumes we Christians really do care about the truth.
“Say Among the Nations” (Psalm 96:10)
Amidst the anxiety and angst of the political season as well as the distress that fills the world with terror, violence, and economic pain, we affirm the sovereignty of God, the stability of the earth, and the certainty that God will set things right when God comes to judge the earth.
Hospitality and Proclamation: A Lesson from My Middle Eastern Friends
Our Arab brother and leader would roll down his window and simply inquire of the man we felt led to ask. He said, “I have Americans. Would you like coffee?” Eight times he inquired and eight times an invitation was immediately accepted. Middle Eastern Arabs have hospitality in their DNA. Every household is ready at any time to welcome guests. So 12 Americans and an Arab missionary would have Arabic coffee, olives, pita bread, and spices and talk for hours.
In that time, we learned of each other’s cultures, our love of family and our fears and hopes. It was the linking of widely diverse cultures that are unified in hopes and fears. God even allowed us to gently and lovingly speak of our love for Isa (Arabic for Jesus). We planted seeds that the Arab missionaries will now water and someday, harvest. The dream is a house church of Muslim background believers in Jesus in all 124 villages.
Obama chides Rutgers students for pressuring Condoleezza Rice to back out of commencement speech
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I disagree with many of the policies of Dr. Rice and the previous administration. But the notion that this community or this country would be better served by not hearing a former secretary of state or not hearing what she had to say — I believe that’s misguided,” Obama said. “I don’t think that’s how democracy works best, when we’re not even willing to listen to each other.”
He added:If you disagree with somebody, bring them in and ask them tough questions. Hold their feet to the fire, make them defend their positions. … Don’t be scared to take somebody on. Don’t feel like you got to shut your ears off because you’re too fragile and somebody might offend your sensibilities. Go at them if they’re not making any sense.
Tim Duncan is a true champion and NBA’s ultimate franchise player for his Spurs-first approach
That’s what made him so refreshingly unique. In a world where the AAU culture encourages players to think of themselves as a brand and where NBA superstars wield enough power to get coaches fired and teammates traded, Duncan was the quintessential franchise player.
He sacrificed money, minutes and shots to keep the Spurs a legitimate contender for two decades. That’s a real superstar.
If this was indeed Duncan’s last game — and several friends of his I spoke with believe Duncan will retire this summer — he leaves on his terms. Kobe Bryant embraced his over-the-top farewell tour while Duncan departed quietly.
The symphony was performing a pops concert called “Broadway’s Golden Age,” according to its schedule. A spokeswoman said the players were about 30 seconds from the last measures of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” the encore to the concert when Little collapsed and was carried backstage by her fellow bassists. She never regained consciousness.