It looks like either through Supreme Court fiat or through state legislatures and/or propositions, “same-sex marriage” will likely be the law of the land soon. Christians and moral conservatives have spent immense time, energy, and money trying to keep this from happening, apparently to no effect. There are deep divides in culture over this issue... Continue Reading →
Venus through my window…
"Venus through my window…" That phrase runs through my mind as the eastern sky gains pale blue status and Venus shines star-bright through the waving pine boughs I see out my library window. A crescent, waning moon like a gilded treasure hangs center on the invisible ecliptic. These heavenly lights give an inner joy that... Continue Reading →
Starbucks Response to Open Letter
In the interest of full disclosure I'm posting the email response I received from Starbucks Corporate. This was their response to the text of my Open Letter which I emailed to them, as well as having posted here. Cheers, Mike ------------------------------------------------- Dear Mike, Thank you for contacting Starbucks. At Starbucks, we deeply respect the views... Continue Reading →
An Open Letter to Howard Schultz
March 25, 2013 Dear Mr. Schultz: We love Starbucks and have been fans and patrons for decades. We’ve collected Starbucks coffee cups from Hawaii to the British Isles. I spend most Friday mornings in our local store enjoying lattes, Americanos, or, last Friday, a delicious peppermint mocha, usually bringing home beans for the week (this... Continue Reading →
The Village Idiot- and Me
I grew up considering myself pretty cool, or at least a close approximation of it. I was graced with an apt mind, a pleasant enough personality and good success in school and sports. I was tall, slender, blonde (at least in my youth) and semi- handsome. I either felt cool, or knew enough of cool... Continue Reading →
Cold War Courage
Facing the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War in January 1961, President Kennedy stated the following at his inauguration: Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival... Continue Reading →
Fighting Words and the Bane of “civil discourse”
I was reading an article at the Christianity Today web site recently on self identified “gay” students in, and alumni of, Christian colleges; the article includes elements that have become fairly typical of what’s called “civil discourse” between orthodoxy and theological heresy. I was wondering what the apostles and the early Church would make of... Continue Reading →
Inside Out- On the Insider Movement
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 ESV So the Lord spoke to... Continue Reading →
Reflections in the Fire
“It was a pleasure to burn” That perfect opening to Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 ran through my mind as I watched the last twenty years of my life consumed by lapping red and yellow flames. My friend Alan had agreed to help me burn up business and financial records I needed to discard and a... Continue Reading →
Applied Heart 