Monthly Archives: December 2016

I had a most interesting talk with a former politician.  His view on consensus was interesting.  Basically the idea was that you start with your vision, put that forward, extract those who aren’t helpful to the fulfilment of that vision, and then you have consensus.

Of course, Obama’s and Trudeau’s election wins were related to another kind of consensus.  The idea was to poll the people, pulling from them their ideas and visions.  Then you put those all together and see if you can come up with a consensus.

The truth of the matter is probably found in context.  A fragmented group needs a vision.  A homogeneous group needs conversation. 

The recent election in the United States seems to indicate that there is a fragmented group that needed a vision.  Consensus through conversation was not about to be found.

My own inclination is towards conversation.  I think we work best when we feel together, when we agree without coercion.  But, perhaps there are times where a benevolent dictator is the best option.

OK, these are starting thoughts for an editorial in the next few months. 

Any further thoughts or feedback??

I was sitting in a Sunday class studying the Bible.

In my usual fashion, I opened my mouth and something fell out . . .

“One of my greatest nightmares is reading the Bible.”

I’ve thought a lot about that in the last few days.  Funny how we can sometimes even teach ourselves.

I find the Bible convicts me.  As God opens the pages to me, I see how little I really am concerned for others – their needs, feelings, and even wants. I find that lists and narratives tell me when I am doing wrong.  That has a nightmare quality to me.

I find the Bible condemns society.  I see how others have taken a light approach to God and how they have been disappointed when God takes a light approach to them.  Anger is a part of God’s nature.

I find the Bible sets some of my presuppositions on edge.  I thought I had life and people and God all figured out.  Until I read the Bible.  And when I read it again, I had to rethink things.  Sometimes I think I should stop reading – having to change my opinions is a real nightmare!

And so, I read my Bible every day.  Somehow when I walk through to the other side of the nightmare, a new day is dawning.

In my younger days Sunday dinner was a special time.  Time to get together with a few friends.  Time to chat and reminisce (and solve all the world’s problem).  Time to remember that naps are great following a Sunday meal!

Yesterday we had soup and buns.  That’s all.  Just enough to satisfy the hunger pangs.

Meanwhile, a few people drifted in and out.  The conversation meandered and the laughter was palpable.

And friendships were cemented.

Not a bad thing at all!

Soup and buns, here we come!

I’m reading through a book called “Ephesians” by Paul of Tarsus.  OK, it’s really just a letter to some people in Ephesus!

In the first chapter their is a call that is made in prayer.

A call for wisdom, insight, knowledge and hope.  As well, that people would not negate God’s power (an easy thing to do when we can do all sorts of things by ourselves). 

So, for those reading today:  may you have wisdom for your day, insight into the machinations of life, knowledge that grounds your thoughts in reality, and hope that finds root in Jesus Christ.  May you also remember how great God is to fulfil all this. 

Put that all together, and as my cashier at the store says, “Have a good one!”