Burying the lede

A “lede” is the first line of an article or new story.  It’s meant to grab your attention and to communicate the most important part of the story. To “Bury the lede” is a phrase used in journalism when someone has written a news story where the truly important fact is way at the end [...]

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It’s the end of the world of the as we know it

In January I saw an article in the Wichita Eagle about a woman who was thoroughly convinced that the rapture and the end of the world would be on May 21, 2011.  At 6pm to be exact.  Well, this Saturday is the fateful day and, as one would expect, the story has been picked up [...]

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Winter Jam 2011

Last night we took the youth group to big Christian rock concert in Wichita called Winter Jam.  After a very long day I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about the event. It was really quite a spectacle to behold.  The day started by camping out in line for about 3 hours, and [...]

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Non-violent resistance

Is nonviolence a realistic solution to big problems in the world? On Sunday the lectionary text was Matthew 5:38-48.  This is the section where Jesus talks about turning the other cheek, going the second mile, and turning the other cheek.  For many, this is text is written off because they hear Jesus saying that we [...]

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Please explain this to me

Ok, so this isn’t exactly a really deep thinking post but here’s just been something that I really need to get off of my chest. What is up with this song? The title is “Stuck like glue” by the band Sugarland, and for some reason it has me confused and intrigued.  To be clear, it’s [...]

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Time flies: a justification

I know that I’m not really old enough to be complaining about being too old.  That being said, I am beginning to notice various changes in my life, mostly revolving around issues related to hair (especially nasal) that I find new and disturbing. As with most people who are getting older, time feels like it [...]

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CO’s and Mental Health

I ran across this story on NPR’s “All Things Considered” the other day.  It’s worth a read/listen. Seeing the transformation of the Mental Health system in this country, pushed by the Conscientious Objectors of WWII, it’s hard to say that we haven’t made this country better, without using violence. WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Health Horrors

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Now that’s an interesting question….

Did the massive increase in the theology known as the prosperity Gospel help cause the economic collapse? That was the question on the NPR show “Here and Now” yesterday.  The basic premise is that the prosperity Gospel teaches that you should go ahead and buy the fancy things (i.e. car, house, cell phones, clothes, etc…) [...]

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Cutting Edge Mennos

Believe it or not but Mennonites are….wait for it….actually….get ready……leading the way and boldly innovative. For a bunch of people who have historically simply kept to themselves and haven’t really worried about engaging the hot topics of the day, when it comes to health care, Mennonites are actually leading by example.  I’ve recently come across [...]

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How to fight a war

Currently there is a one to one ratio of U.S. soldiers to private contractors in active war zones.  That’s right, half of our military in Iraq and Afghanistan is now made up of mercenaries working for private contractors.  250,000 U.S. Soldiers, 250,000 hired guns. One of the biggest contractors working in Afghanistan and Iraq is [...]

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