Category developing virtue
Seeking “Justice For All” by Ministering to Outsiders
I delivered the sermon to both Sunday services at Christ Community Church in Tucson, Arizona earlier this month. Approximately 1700 heard the message. In a section describing Biblical reasons for showing respect to both the unborn and to pro-choice advocates, I said essentially this: Think about it. I can defend the unborn with such anger […]
On Scribbles and False Beliefs: Are They Beautiful?
In my Christmas letter, I made the point that we should value a person’s false beliefs in much the same way I appreciate the scribbled art my kids offer to me. I am not saying that false ideas are beautiful or intrinsically valuable when abstracted from their owner. Surely not. The woman’s claim that her […]
When You Fall Off Your High Horse, Don’t Get Off the Horse Altogether
Yesterday I shouted at my daughter in such a way that I am ashamed to admit it. I had certainly fallen off my high horse of feeling like a good parent (again). But I also felt like getting off the horse of “good parenting” altogether, both hating myself for getting it wrong and thinking I’ll […]
My "Don’t Be Like Me" Story(s) – Lest We Get Cocky
It’s important to note when you read my Christmas letter, A Tale of Two Gifts, that Adam is not alone in making the mistake he made. I’ve made very similar mistakes, if not precisely the same mistake. My October 2003 letter, She Had Concerns, But I Wasn’t Listening, tells one such story, and then relates […]
What Adam Was Doing Right
When you read the story of JFA’s volunteer “Adam” in my Christmas letter, you may be tempted to heap scorn on him for missing an important opportunity to minister to a woman in need. That’s the opposite of the right response, in my view. I think Adam was doing exactly the right thing, at least […]
ISIS: A Reflection
I’ve been doing some thinking recently about the ISIS crisis, and specifically the plight of Christians watching their children being beheaded. I’m expecting many pro-life groups will want to comment and “put this in perspective” and start talking numbers. “A few kids being killed in Iraq is bad, but abortion is badder,” is essentially the […]
Crippled by Fear? Rise and Do Feet Work.
JFA’s October 2014 Impact Report In JFA’s October 2014 Impact Report (Crippled by Fear? Rise and Do Feet Work), JFA volunteers Angela, Molly, and Afrika describe how JFA’s training program turned their fears into productive conversations with pro-choice advocates. Read the Impact Report first, then read below for additional helpful thoughts on fear and the […]
"Esau’s Soup" by Daniel Joseph
Note: I’m privileged to post this recent spoken word performance by Daniel Joseph along with the text (below). Used by permission. This is the performance I mentioned earlier this month. – Steve Wagner (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, […]
Favorites: The Mud
In May of 2010, Lizzie, a student at Focus Leadership Institute, made a remarkable decision. While her friends decided to play Frisbee in the shadow of the Justice For All Exhibit, she decided to jump in the mud. This newsletter tells the story. May 2010: The Mud (Will You Wait or Jump In?) (Note: This post […]
The Heart of Common Ground
Jordan Newhouse beautifully captures the heart of common ground in this poem.
Human Beings Matter More 