The Pendulum Predicts a Bumpy Ride – Part I

Comparing the authors' predictions in light of current conditions

 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18 (NIV) In a recent post, I summarized the message of Roy H. Williams and Michael Drew’s book Pendulum: How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future. You really should read the post and get […]

Update: The Wisdom of King Solomon

Learn from the wisest king in history

Men:  We have to talk about sex. If there’s one area where this generation is stuck, this is it. The Water Was Dirty Before You Got In Now, before you conclude that I’m pointing my finger at you, please realize that the Boomer cohort gave us the sexual revolution and rampant divorce, and the Gen X cohort […]

Why the next six years could be sporty

Whether you call it the Pendulum or The Fourth Turning, it looks like rough sledding

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere   The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst   Are full of passionate intensity.”  – W. B. Yeats from The Second Coming I recently read and re-read Roy H. […]

Re-post: Rediscovering Hope Through the Power of Forgiveness

Gentry and Hadley Eddings forgave the man who caused the deaths of their sons

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Jesus  in Mark 11:25 (NIV) I had the privilege recently of interviewing my friend, Gentry Eddings, Worship Pastor of Forest Hill Church’s Ballantyne Campus, and soon Campus Pastor for that […]

When Your Only Tool Is a Hammer…

The devaluation of useful words through overuse

“When your only tool is a hammer, all the world looks like a nail.” – Ancient Proverb A note from your host: I considered writing this as an open-letter to my fictional  twentysomething nephew. My reasoning was that my intentions might be more apparent if I was expressing these thoughts in a relational context — […]

Re-post: Two Kinds of People

Are you engine or cargo?

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.  – Colossians 3:17 (The Message) It’s time for another visit to the poetry corner.  The following was in regular use in my old Boy Scout troop.   It was there I […]

More Thoughts on Security

Cultivate an unshakeable frame

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” -Kipling In my previous post, I explained that security is a dynamic property. By that I meant that although one can receive security from his parents and his upbringing,  one must not simply seek security for its […]

Yes, You Need Security, But…

Is it better to be safe or sorry?

“Life is pain, anyone who says differently is selling something.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride Over the past several weeks we’ve been elaborating on the emotional and psychological needs articulated by Robert Ardrey in his book The Territorial Imperative. Those needs are Identity, Stimulation, and Security. In the various posts on these subjects we’ve […]

Re-post: All Our Eggs in One Basket

Is the church in decline?

“The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” -Mark Twain Perhaps you’ve heard or read a news item on the findings of a new report on religion in America published by the Pew Research Center. The link to America’s Changing Religious Landscape appears here. The main point reported is that the number of Americans […]

Re-post: Is Everything Awesome?

How to handle criticism and still look good

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) I enjoyed The Lego Movie so much I watched it twice. The protagonist Emmet’s favorite song in his orderly world is “Everything Is Awesome,” even as he fails to see the creeping tyranny of President/Lord Business. Millennials […]