What are We Fighting? Post 7.
This is the seventh and final post in a series considering the root causes of hunger. The Millennium Development Goals serve as a helpful framework. Millennium Development Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Because everyone lives on a...
Whose side are you on?
A while back I expressed concern about the way in which some of the biblical identity texts could be divisive. I made particular reference to Paul’s letter to the Galatians that on the one hand so beautifully declares that “There...
Sustainability Part 1: Design
I was at a coffee shop with my brother, Krister, a few weeks ago sitting next to the window and drinking out of some more-or-less sustainable “for here” cups when we got talking about energy usage and good lighting. A...
In Praise of Extravagance
An alfombra made of pine needles and flowers I know, I know. It’s my job to point out all the ways we Americans have too much, spend too much, drive too much, eat too much, cram too much into our days, and...
Lipi’s Chickens
This Easter season, as we give thanks for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a chance to be born anew, let us recommit ourselves to God’s call for us to love and serve our neighbors both near and far. One...
Introduction to a sustainability series
This is an introduction to a new series that I’m going to be writing. The focus will be on sustainability, specifically as it has to do with business, industry and its link to hunger and poverty. Why sustainability? The old...
What are we fighting? Post 6.
This is the sixth post in a series considering the root causes of hunger. The Millennium Development Goals serve as a helpful framework. Millennium Development Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability How carefully we manage our natural resources and environment has...
Strangers in a new land
What does living for a year outside your own culture–eating, sleeping, working, and playing in another language–teach you about your own cultural assumptions? Last Saturday I found out, as three participants in the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program met me...
Identity Again
I would like to pick up where I left off in last week’s post. I concluded with the following musings: I do wonder how much a shift in group identity could begin to address some of our reticence to do good...
“Be still and know that I am God”
Today, my daughter will be welcomed into the kingdom of God at her baptism. She will set out on her own faith journey and one day discern her vocation. What will she be? What will she do? At almost five...