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Sit down with me as we think through some tough topics in a reflective way and examine some of the difficult issues that can trouble followers of Christ. My hope is that you’ll always come away with more to think about… RBC Ministries
Archive for the 'Social Issues' Category
(Posts Archive)
- Jerusalem Journal |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Jan 19 2010
On arriving in the Middle East my cab driver said that he used to be on “the left.” But said he had come to the conclusion that Arab and Jewish people would never be able to live together.
Later an Israeli friend said, regarding peace, “The United States has been the savior of the world.” Made [...] - A Christmas Discussion During Hanukkah |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Dec 12 2009
Last night Jewish people began lighting candles around the world in their annual celebration of Hanukkah.
This morning an article in the Dallas Morning News says that two pastors of the Episcopal denomination are expected to draw hundreds, at 10 dollars a ticket, to their discussion of whether Christ is the only way to God.
One of [...] - Care and Convictions |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Oct 15 2009
Our “Good Conversation” has surfaced a couple of points that I think are very important.
None of us want our moral advocacy, political involvement, or lack of political involvement to indicate a lack of concern for others. In fact, we probably would all like to believe that we support political action or inaction based on what [...] - Blasphemy Day |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Oct 01 2009
An online CNN article yesterday recognized the first organized “Blasphemy Day.” Marked by the slogan “Nothing is Sacred,” and part of a “Campaign for Free Expression, the day was set to coincide with the 5th anniversary of a Danish’ newspaper’s publication of cartoons that so offended followers of Islam.
The sponsoring group claims 100,000 international members [...] - This is Not Normal! |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Sep 23 2009
NPR’s All Thing’s Considered host Madeleine Brand recently did an interview with Forest Whitaker, the executive producer of a 5 part video documentary called “Brick City.” The series tells the story of Mayor Cory Booker’s attempt to restore safety and security to the streets of Newark, New Jersey.
Part of the interview includes an emotional [...] - Work and Rest |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Sep 07 2009
Labor Day weekend marks the symbolic end of summer, back to school, back yard barbecues, and the beginning of the college and professional football season.
This year some of us might also get a chance to catch a few holes of the rain-delayed end of the PGA Deutsche Bank Championship Golf tournament, or see if 17-year-old [...] - The Money Drug |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Aug 07 2009
A recent online NPR article summarizes some provocative research on the emotional and physical impact of money.
According to a report by David Kestenbaum titled Study: Your Brain Thinks Money is a Drug, researchers report their surprise in discovering that, “Counting money — just handling the bills — can make things less painful.”
The article went on [...] - Paperless Spirituality? |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Aug 05 2009
Sony Corporation came out this week with the announcement of two new E-readers that it hopes will mount a formidable challenge to Amazon’s Kindle (paperless book). According to an Information Week article, the handheld electronic readers will be able to store about 350 books with a two week battery life.
The announcement leads me to [...] - Clunker Rebates |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Aug 03 2009
There’s something about the “cash for clunkers” economic stimulus that I find inspiring. Not interested right now in debating the issue of the policy’s wisdom. Am just intrigued with the idea that buyers are able to get a 3,500 to 4,500 dollar cash rebate for a gas hog … while helping car companies lower their [...]
- Beer Summits and the Bible |
Posted by Mart De Haan on Jul 31 2009
As I’ve read the news reports on the President’s meeting with police Sergeant James Crowley and Harvard Scholar Henry Louis Gates, I’ve been interested in the different responses.
The highly charged racial implications around the event that prompted the arrest of Professor Gates, together with the public debate that followed, showed how quickly each of us [...]
