Defense of Marriage Actions

Obviously the title of today’s post plays off yesterday’s news that the Justice Department will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act.  But my thoughts are not about politics, playing to the base, justice or the human hubris that supposes the definition of truth and reality is solely ours to make.

I have been in the marriage business for a long time.  Thirty-three years of my own marriage and eighteen years of helping couples prepare for marriage and officiating at weddings.  Becky and I would never claim that our marriage is perfect – it isn’t – nor have all the marriages I have helped begin been perfect; some of have not survived, though, thanks to the grace of God, most of them have. Continue reading →

The Gospel and Cost-Benefit Analysis

I hope you have heard me say, as I do from time to time, that I have the best job in the world. I mean it. I pray that I never forget it.

One of the many joys of the job is the privilege of serving as a sounding board for new ideas and curious questions and as the recipient of your best thoughts, puzzled musings and sometimes serendipitous discoveries. Thank you.

Just this past week one of you was kind enough to send me the link to a New York Times article that probably fits in the last category of serendipitous discoveries. With gratitude to my correspondent, I forward it to you: As U.S. Agencies Put More Value on a Life, Businesses Fret. Continue reading →

Guatemala: Why We Go

The Away Team sets off for Guatemala tomorrow morning at 4:00. The trip begins with a bus ride to Newark International Airport, and if all goes well eleven or so hours later we will be greeting friends old and new at the airport in Guatemala City – Jorge, Adriana, Roberto, Ita, Israel; perhaps Pastor Tomas and his daughter Paola. As we make our way up the mountain to San Luca Toliman and Lake Atitlan, we will anticipate other reunions – staff and workers at the Spring of Hope Mission.

Our Guatemala Mission, whether you are a member of the Home Team or the Away Team – is all about people.  But we will know the names of very few of them and probably will never see the majority of them ever again.  So, why do we go? Continue reading →