Monthly Archives: August 2014

August 31, 2014 · 18:13

New Russia – what Putin really wants

So the name ‘New Russia’ is back in the news as NovoCzar Vladimir the KGB agent gets ‘interviewed’ by a lake in Russia. In said interview Putin called again for Kyiv to negotiate with the terrorists and mercenaries he has facilitated in Ukraine.

This ‘New Russia’ idea is an old one dating from Czarist days (appropriate for the NovoCzar Vladimir don’t you think?). You can read about the ‘New Russia’ here, be sure to scroll down in the ‘History’ section to see the 1921 Soviet poster that proclaims “Donbass is the heart of Russia” which says a lot.

So shortly after Czar Vladimir called the area ‘New Russia’ a Kremlin spokesman back pedaled to ‘clarify’ what the Soviet Premier, oh, sorry, the Russian president said.

Meanwhile, the EU has appointed a new foreign policy chief from Italy (yes, Italy) who was originally opposed by many of the eastern EU nations because she may be soft on Russia.

Please pray for Ukraine.

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Filed under culture, Eastern Europe, shifts, Ukraine

August 30, 2014 · 20:17

Kissinger on the world situation.

Henry Kissinger on the state of the world order today, where he states:

“History offers no respite to countries that set aside their sense of identity in favor of a seemingly less arduous course.”

Read the WSJ article here.

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Filed under culture, Eastern Europe, shifts

August 28, 2014 · 13:32

caught in the middle, #prayForUkraine

I can only imagine what Ukrainians are feeling right now. At the top of the list must be fear and close behind it, frustration.

In the last few days the Russians have intensified their involvement significantly. The West makes statements of outrage and sets up sanctions. But none of this phases Putin, he just denies involvement.

Putin is certain that no one will do anything of substance. The War weary populations of NATO countries will not tolerate their ‘boots on the ground’ and their elected officials wouldn’t even suggest it.

To put their troops in the path of Russian forces is way to risky. They ask themselves: Is Ukraine worth the risk? Their answer? No.

Meanwhile, 2000+ are dead, hundreds of thousands are refugees and the cities of the Donbas begin to resemble Vukovar in 1992.

Winter is coming and Ukrainians will pay 40% more for gas to heat their homes, if Russia doesn’t cut the gas off completely. I keep waiting for the news of terrorist attacks in other parts of Ukraine.

So Ukrainians are caught between Czar Vladimir and a West with no real plan and less willingness.

Please pray for Ukraine.

Here are links to some of the latest news:

Economist

Washington Post with NATO sat pics

Washington Post on today’s news from the front.

USA Today reports UN Security Council will meet this afternoon in special season.

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Filed under Eastern Europe, Ukraine

August 27, 2014 · 15:44

to all of Mr. Driscoll’s critics who are piling on

UPDATED

A story:

Some bloggers, Tweeters and other guys brought a preacher to Jesus and said “Jesus look what this guy has done! He did this and that and the other thing!! He deserves punishment! He doesn’t belong in the ministry!!”

“Yeah?” Jesus said, picking up his phone and taking off his sunglasses. “Let he that is without sin send the next Tweet or post on his blog.”

Jesus took a sip of his iced tea and began texting on his smartphone. Phones around the crowd began pinging and popping. With each ping and ding and ring a blogger or tweeter would look down at his phone, read the message and turn and leave the coffee shop. One guy stormed off angrily and almost knocked down an old lady. Soon, just the preacher stood there all alone.

“Where are your accusers?” Jesus asked.

The preacher started to say something but thought better and kept quiet.

“Go and sin no more.”

 

Yes, we need to learn and you might READ my thoughts HERE, but we need to let God be his judge and let his leaders have a chance to work with him. Did anybody send him J.R.’s book?. If you haven’t read Fail, you should! MY REVIEW

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August 25, 2014 · 08:32

learning from the Driscoll saga *updated*

*updated* Yesterday, embattled Seattle mega-church pastor Mark Driscoll “stepped down” for a minimum 6 weeks. CT has a thorough summary here, be sure to watch the video at the end. Then pray for that local church, for him his family, and for the Church.

This saga – far from over- could be, if studied carefully, an incredible teaching tool for young pastors. Most look to guys like Driscoll as models for the way they do ministry. Seeing the incredible “success” of Mars Hill, they say “I can learn from this example.” Maybe.

There is no doubt that we can learn from the success of others. But we better be sure to learn from their failure too.

Driscoll is getting the counsel of a group of wise people. I wish that would include guys like J. R. Briggs who have walked through failure and been “real” about it. See my post on his book Fail back in July. At the very least someone should send Mr. Driscoll a copy.

Let us learn from this that our priorities need to include biblical accountability steeped in loving counsel which often means listening to hard voices that don’t tell us what we want to hear.

Without such, we too will increase our failure.

We should all be saddened by Driscoll’s saga. Any thoughts of “he’s getting what he deserved” should be rebuked as not from a God of grace and mercy.

Learn from this saga* that we don’t repeat it.

(the original post was titled “Driscoll sage continues” – what sort of autocorrect Freudian thing was that?)

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Filed under being a disciple, culture, disciple making, shifts, spiritual questions/musings/wonderings

August 24, 2014 · 08:15

Uh oh, e-readers beware

Some interesting research comparing books to e-readers creates big questions for education. Read the Post article here.

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Filed under culture, experience, seeking understanding, shifts