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more about stonington

Posted on May 24, 2006 | Filed Under personal life

Stony (or Stony Bear as he is affectionately called) continues to bring us much joy. Today he successfully mastered two new tricks: 1) catching a tennis ball in the air when thrown to him, and 2) shaking hands (paw to hand!). He is enrolled in obedience classes and is doing well with walking by my side and sitting when I stop moving, and with the “sit” and “down” commands. He is a smart dog, a beautiful dog, and a most affectionate dog. Of course, I am an entirely unbiased observer!

the immigration dilemma

Posted on May 24, 2006 | Filed Under justice

I have to admit to mixed feelings about the debate over immigration policies.

On the one hand, the biblical message of welcome for the foreigner, of ready hospitality offered to one’s neighbor, any neighbor, “neighbor” by the broadest definition of the word, is clear and strong. God’s bias toward kindness and generosity and non-discrimination is unmistakable.

On the other hand, I believe in following the law. I try to “do the right thing,” to “do it by the rules.” It is difficult for me to rouse sympathy for those who intentionally violate the law and then expect to be excused.

On the other …

benediction

Posted on May 18, 2006 | Filed Under general

Heard a great benediction this morning at the Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta, Georgia, delivered by William Willimon:

People of God, the Holy Spirit is with you … Watch out!

so what do i think of the da vinci code?

Posted on May 9, 2006 | Filed Under arts and culture, spirituality

Not much.

Which means both that I don’t think much of it, and that I don’t think much about it. I have neither seen the movie nor read the book, though I’ve read reviews and talked with folks who have. I do not feel the same sense of threat that some Christians and Christian organizations seem to. I feel no need to make a reply to the assertions of The Da Vinci Code. I believe without reservation that truth will outlast any passing fancy or cultural buzz.

I did not see The Passion of the Christ for the same reasons. In that …

one small step for the earth

Posted on May 6, 2006 | Filed Under the natural world

Get your TerraPass!

I discovered a link to this website while reading an article about global warming. TerraPass is a program that provides a way to offset the global warming impact of your vehicle’s CO2 emissions by investing in clean energy projects that reduce industrial carbon emissions. They call it cleaning up after your car.

I bought my TerraPass. Visit the TerraPass website and clean up after your car!

(And read a May 3 article by Andrew Revkin of the New York Times: Federal Study Finds Accord on Warming.)

we must not look the other way

Posted on May 3, 2006 | Filed Under justice, torture

Amnesty International has just filed a report citing the ongoing use of interrogation tactics by the government of the United States that would be labeled “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” under any reasonable definition.

“Although the US government continues to assert its condemnation of torture and ill-treatment, these statements contradict what is happening in practice,” said Curt Goering, Senior Deputy Executive Director Of Amnesty International USA. “The US government is not only failing to take steps to eradicate torture it is actually creating a climate in which torture and other ill-treatment can flourish — including by trying to narrow the …