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In my post secondary days of education I took culture courses.  These included things like ethics, morals, isolationism and assimilation.

I chose for my own life to be a part of the culture around me.

That has been a task that has not been easy.  My own conscience has more than once been assaulted by the possible compromises I was asked to own.  Sometimes a realignment of my own convictions meant my own small sense of truth was invaded by a greater truth.  And every once in a while I just had to stand up and buck the winds of change.

I prefer to engage our culture with hope.  I am willing to enrage the culture.

But most of all, I want to stand the  breezes of culture always with Jesus in view.  Wipe away fog, shield myself from the pelting of dust, even wear glasses to protect my eyes.  However I can see Jesus, that’s what’s important.

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!