Mixing politics and religion is like mixing ice cream and manure; it doesn’t affect the manure much, but it really messes up the ice cream. –Tony Campolo (1935-2024)    For the first several years of my ministry, I was a pastor in the ELCA. We were required to go to annual district/synod conventions. One […]
3214) Politics Anyone? Read More »
    The primary builder of modern Dubai, Sheik Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1990), was asked about the future of his country, and he replied, “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes… my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover…
3206) The Camels are on the Horizon Read More »
Desmond Tutu on Forgiveness:    To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. It is also a process that does not exclude hatred and anger. These emotions are all part of being human. You should never hate yourself for hating others who do terrible things: the depth
3186) Extreme Forgiveness (2/2) Read More »
Pictured above: Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) and Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) ———————————–    The nation of South Africa is 90% black and 10% white. Until 1993, the white minority ruled, establishing a strict, racist society. Blacks were second class citizens, denied basic human rights, and kept in poverty. Any dissent was brutally crushed. Kidnapping, torture, and
3185) Extreme Forgiveness (1/2) Read More »
 By Annie Holmquist, October 24, 2025, at “Annie’s Attic.” To read more from Annie, go to: https://annieholmquist.substack.com/ *****************************    The other day, an amusing image showed up on social media featuring CBS television personality Gayle King sitting on an airplane next to Fox News television personality Jesse Watters. King posted the selfie on her Instagram
Image above: Full-page ad encouraging membership in the White Citizens’ Council, from The Selma Times-Journal, June 9,1963. ****************************** Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, in Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, 1989, pages 110-111. ———————————–    An old pastor was serving in a small Southern town in the throes of the 1950’s school desegregation
3016) “I Am Ashamed of You” Read More »
   The Lord of the Rings is one of the best-selling books ever written, with over 150 million copies sold. It originally appeared as a massive one volume work, and since then has also been published as a trilogy. It began as a sequel to the 1937 children’s book The Hobbit, but developed into
This Memorial Day weekend we pause to remember the many soldiers who died to defend our nation and preserve our freedom. Â The letter below wonderfully expresses much of what this day is about: Â gratitude for sacrifices made in the past, appreciation for what we have in this nation, and the willingness to sacrifice even life
2891) One Soldier’s Testimony Read More »
Today Donald Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States. When he takes the oath, he will place his hand on the same two Bibles that he used eight years ago, when he was inaugurated as our nation’s 45th president. He will use the Bible his mother gave
2765) Inauguration Day Wisdom Read More »
Image above:Â King Tut; once a powerful ruler, worshiped as a deity for a few years; now, not so powerful. ************************** Â Â Â (…continued)Â The story of Napoleon is one of the most incredible in all of history. Â In just a few years he rose from being a minor officer in the army to being
2643) Christ the King (part two) Read More »
