"Money is a singular thing ... equally important to those who have it and those who do not." - John K. Galbraith, Economist

Why did God destroy Sodom?

A pastor from a major city serves faithfully for over forty years, plants a church that becomes a respected institution with several thousand members, raises up scores of leaders who would go on to shape ministry in the city for decades, and retires the pastorate to serve as president of a Bible College.

Most leaders would read this profile and aspire to something like it. It contains the elements of a great story: longevity, fruitfulness, influence, and legacy. The only thing missing is the details.

Ah, the details. That's where the devil lurks, isn't it?

Justice is so easy even a five-year-old can do it.

It took me a long time to figure that out. Even though I’ve spent the better part of a lifetime committed to the idea of justice, determined to live for justice, I really couldn’t define it until last year. My latest journey toward better understanding why Jesus loves justice began roughly last March when I was asked to sit on a social justice panel at the 2006 Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI), and the moderator told the panelists he would begin by asking us to define it.

"Cross the street," I thought. "This could get ugly."

Have you ever felt like your best evangelism efforts resulted in wasted time and energy? I have. During my undergraduate days at New York University (Class of ’95), I served on InterVarsity’s executive leadership team for three and a half years in the capacities of outreach coordinator, small-group leader, vice-president and president. Early in that period, we experienced those feelings time and again, and we weren’t alone.

I was there.

Tonight, we gather to remember a defining moment that transformed our nation and our world. It brought tragedy and unthinkable evil, but in defiance, there arose a distinctly American response.

Without fear of hiding, in the midst of adversity and attack, we witnessed a revival of the American spirit, the spirit of freedom and strength. And that spirit arose in you.

No matter who you were or where you were from, you came to our rescue.
Marked by grace, you offered hope that we would recover.

In American culture, young people are prized.

They win Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy awards; compete for Olympic Gold; fight wars; earn millions; and define COOL. This after centuries where they achieved national independence; abolished slavery; pioneered new territories; secured civil rights; and innovated new modes of communications, transportation, civic engagement, and much more.

Where are the Christians?

The New York City Department of Education will spend $12,200,000,000 ($12.2 billion) to educate 1,100,000 students (1.1 million) in its public schools beginning this month - an average of $11,220 per student. For those of us who scrimp by on modest means, our minds struggle to grasp the effect of all those zeroes. Let's put them in perspective.

12.2 billion: Larger than the economies of dozens of nations. More revenue than the net worth of all but the nine wealthiest Americans.

It's all about relationships. So said fifty youth workers from around the country who convened at the National Leadership Forum in New York City last month to explore why evangelical Christianity is increasingly irrelevant to urban youth culture.

Teens don't just think we're out of touch and condescending (although those are very real issues). They don't just find us corny or passé, with music, movies, and literature that lack production value (more real issues). More fundamentally, they've concluded that we simply don't care, at least not enough to meet them on their terms.

"What happens to a dream deferred?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?"
- Langston Hughes

I had a dream this past July.

A major evangelical ministry invited me to a conference at a four star hotel, all expenses paid. The setting: a luxury resort high atop a rocky cliff overlooking silky sand beaches, pacific coast sunsets, fine dining, and accommodations that make inner city missionaries blush.

A sixteen year old boy ogles internet porn on his bedroom PC. His fourteen year old sister listens to Jessica Simpson's "Sweetest Sin" while text messaging gossip about her fantasy with green eyes. Their twelve year old brother lost his virginity last week.

And mom and dad are still irate about Janet Jackson's sunburst nipple ring.

It's time for a little perspective.

They call him Lou-Box because he liked to box as a kid. He learned to fight because he had to.

His dad was an addict and alcoholic, volatile and often violent.

Luis tried in vain to avoid the rage, but one afternoon at the age of twelve he could hide no longer. The memories of dad's knife; mom's terrified cries for help; dad's fist in her face - it was all too overwhelming. Desperate, Luis summoned the courage to charge, swinging wildly. Lou-Box connected repeatedly, and Papí finally left.

Dear Judah,

Someone decided long ago to set aside a special day in June to celebrate dads. I'm not sure why they thought I needed to be honored for loving you. Being your dad is the greatest privilege in the world.

You're nearly 3 1/2 now. It seems like yesterday that I cradled you in my arms after lulling you to sleep on my chest. I still try to cuddle you, but you're not as easily convinced anymore. Besides, how big you've gotten! 50 lbs. of solid mass makes you quite the chest compressor.

"Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." - Abraham Lincoln

"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber." - Romans 13:11