March 10, 2017 Updates

Trying to be more "discerning" in what I am clicking on, but there is just so much good stuff out there.

The Center for Public Justice remains a really good place for thoughtful analysis and discussion. This piece on "emphasizing commonality or celebrating diversity," for example:

https://www.cpjustice.org/public/page/content/pjr_dcc_flourishing_in_a_pluralist_world


Russell Mooreand the Southern Baptists

 http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/russell-moores-job-on-the-line/

On the role of Christian colleges in the time of Trump

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2017/03/christian-colleges-meet-trumps-america/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=BRSS&utm_campaign=Evangelical&utm_content=248

...which was originally posted here:

https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2017/02/14/christian-colleges-can-foster-political-diversity-essay

The new alarmism

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/10/the-new-alarmism-how-some-christians-are-stoking-fear-rather-than-hope/?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.cb6ae31229a4

Transgender concerns

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-the-transgender-debate-is-about-redefining-reality

https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2017/02/28/the-two-things-we-must-say-about-the-transgender-debate/ 

The Pope on begging

Some good lines in this article.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/opinion/the-pope-on-panhandling-give-without-worry.html

Then he posed a greater challenge. He said the way of giving is as important as the gift. You should not simply drop a bill into a cup and walk away. You must stop, look the person in the eyes, and touch his or her hands.

The reason is to preserve dignity, to see another person not as a pathology or a social condition, but as a human, with a life whose value is equal to your own. This message runs through Francis’ preaching and writings, which always seem to turn on the practical and personal, often citing the people he met and served as a parish priest in Argentina.

John Perkins interview with CT

www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/march-web-only/john-perkins-i-wish-i-had-done-more-to-help-poor-white-peop.html

2/19/17 Update

Trump and Truth

A lengthy but well-thought out piece from a mostly libertarian leaning (I think) friend. Lots of quotes to chew on here.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b-RMrhYS2kCuj_VImXgBcPcsV1PTB1-vInTXXPKwUkM/edit


Education/Mentoring Sites

Thanks to Karen Andrews for some excellent referrals.

http://rochesterareavolunteeradministrators.webs.com/


But I Didn't Mean to Be Racist

Excellent commentary here, especially for when we can be oblivious to the real impact of our words and deeds.

"To be honest, it doesn’t really matter whether you think you are racist. What matters is whether your words or actions caused harm."

https://www.fathommag.com/stories/but-i-didnt-mean-to-be-racist?utm_content=buffer2b72c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


More on Compassion, Poverty and Homelessness

www.bruderhof.com/en/voices-blog/following-jesus/sidewalk-samaritan-learning-compassion

http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/february/when-coffee-isnt-enough-reflecting-on-relationships-gospel-.html

"The fallacy in this is that we assume the other person likes what we like. What Heather needed most was someone to listen to her and to hear her story. She needed someone to acknowledge her and offer her hope that the future, despite what appears at present, can be bright. On the practical level, she needed money for a down payment. But how often are we so eager to do a good deed in a way that doesn’t infringe on our daily life that we do more harm than good?"

Most importantly, 
"... the gospel is only truly given when we stop long enough to see the person in front of us.

Who is he/she?

What is his/her story?

What does he/she long for?

Where does he/she hurt?

And of course, what is God calling me to do?

Evangelicals Getting More Involved in Their Communities

This one resonates with me. In many local responses to issues like affordable housing, public schools, etc., I see too few evangelicals represented in activities that have powerful effects on our communities, even though I know they are "out there" working at ways to alleviate hunger, bring compassion and care, etc. Their lack of involvement in many of these efforts just seems to reinforce the incorrect stereotype that all "conservative Christians" are not living out the love of Christ.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2017/march/8-reasons-churches-partner-secular-community-groups.html?paging=off