The Forgotten Factor
Luke 10:27* Without question, laws, regulations, and better education and training for police are needed to combat systemic racism. The same is true in terms of schools in educating disadvantaged kids and addressing chronic poverty. What about the escalating vitriol in politics and the ever-widening gulf between progressives and conservatives, at the expense of the majority of Americans who simply want problems dealt with in a fair and equitable way? Even if new laws could bridge the divide, they might never be passed. Then add to this the pessimistic view that even if laws, education, and a...
Read MoreReal Community in a Time of Social Upheaval
“…and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.…” (Revelation 5:9 ESV) In these challenging times, I think most of us would like to be in community with others—except my wife, who is very happy to be at home doing her art and talking on the phone with family and friends. By community I’m referring, of course, to Creekside, our friends of faith, and to gatherings with people of our same culture and world view. These are good and needed, but participation in these is easy and reinforces our feel-good emotions. Community where everyone agrees...
Read MoreThe Plight of the Palestinians
What does Palestine have to do with us here at Creekside, 6,753 miles away? Besides, with so many problems in the world—North Korea, trade with China, Syria, refugee issues—why be concerned with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? For two reasons. First, as Christians we should be concerned about injustice anywhere in the world. Second, in my experience speaking to people from the Middle East especially, this unresolved issue is a huge stumbling block to world peace. In January, I spent two weeks in Israel with a group of 25, led by Pastor Keith Carpenter of Kent Covenant. What a life-changing...
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