Tag: charles dickens

  • Leave the Ignoble Behind

    It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

    ~ Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

    Pretty up-to-the-minute for something written in 1859, right?

    Each generation believes it has created it’s own extremes. In fact, it’s an age-old trap that has just been carried forward. The sin of our forefathers still destroys us.

    The litmus tests of extremists are in full effect today and are just as unproductive as ever. Their bi-product is never progress, only pain.

    • You’re either an evangelical conservative or a mainline liberal, chose a side.
    • You’re pro-LGBT or your anti-LGBT, which is it?
    • You’re either pro-union or anti-union, take your pick.
    • You’re a tea party love or a hater.

    As if the middle ground were the enemy. As if being reasonable and understanding all sides of issues were not possible. As if compromise and working things out were akin to selling your soul to the other side.

    In truth, Jesus asks us to reject the ignoble extremes to live in the noble tense middle.

    A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
    John 13:34

  • Let’s not talk about 2009 too much, ok?

    Let's never speak of 2009 again

    It’s not been an easy year. There have been some highlights… but a lot of lowlights. I can’t think of a period of time with more tears than 2009. I know I’m looking forward to a fresh start in 2010. Anyone with me?

  • What’s Good About the Recession?

    Our culture is inundated with the negative news of the recession. News outlets struggle to find fresh ways to accurately describe the words “the economy sucks” each hour of the day.

    The church has followed right along with the negative news. A lot of blogs have cited a report that church participation is on a steep decline. Of course, people won’t admit that there is a tie between the recession and people leaving the church. Perhaps churches should have responded to help sooner? That’s another rant for another day.

    Here are three good things the recession has done for my family:

    – A huge emphasis to live in the black. As I’ve documented before, we are working hard to get out of debt and build a little savings.

    – A huge emphasis on what is important. Tough times lead people back to their roots and we are no different. A major focus for us has been on “cheap family fun.” We’ve kept the value of family time but re-tooled it to focus on the time and not the activity. There are lots of other areas where we are making values-based decisions as opposed to having little rhyme or reason as to why we do things.

    – A huge emphasis on sustainability. Scaling things back and focusing just a tad more on thrift allows us to live within a sustainable budget. While we can’t predict the future (no one can) we can manage our house in a way that would allow us to sustain in thin times and thrive in good times.

    I think these three things… live in the black, focus on your values, and practice sustainability are three things that every family, church, business, and institution should be learning during this recession. Without a doubt, these are tough times. But there is great good to come from it if we’ll learn hard lessons and apply them in the future!

    Those who are hit hardest by this economy should resolve a “never again” attitude. We all made fun of our grandparents for saving everything and compulsive frugality. Who is laughing now?