Iraqi Invasion Redux

Two years later many Americans, including this one, are questioning their earlier support of the invasion of Iraq. For me the struggle has not been one of second guessing the "evidence". It's easy to do so in light of the many errors, even perhaps misrepresentations, regarding what the situation in Iraq was. But as I read Michael Novak's recent letter on the "First Things" blog I'm reminded of how little evidence was really required to support our efforts based on traditional "just war" theories. (It's worth reading Novak's original Vatican lecture referenced in the letter to learn more about the "just war" theory).

No, I'm still convinced that the threat of biological/chemical attack aided and abetted by Saddam was quite real. Having worked for a biotech company and learned in some detail the mechanisms of such an attack, I am regrettably still convinced this is a real possibility. It just won't be supported by the same players.

And this gets closer to the heart of my questions surrounding the invasion: Does even a "just war" ever accomplish anything in the long run? Surely it is not sufficient, but is it necessary?

I've never been a pacifist, and I'm not one now. At least not yet. But if "just war" is necessary but not sufficent to bring about peach, we surely lack the remaining ingredients in the world today. Of course I don't expect to find the "solution." To my friends who would point out that answer is surely Jesus Christ, I would respond:

Yes. You are absolutely correct, and we are to abide in Him so he may abide in us which makes us a key part of the answer. Yet this brings me right back to where I started: How am I to play my part in the answer? Did Jesus fight a "just war"? Did he not teach that our battle was not against the Roman Empire which, like Saddam Hussein, held together its infamour Pax Romana through brutality and oppression? Isn't the battle against the powers of darkness who fuel the Cult of Personalities so prominent among the political powers then as they are today?

For now my questioning is leading me to read Miroslav Volf's Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation. I'm only 1/3 of the way into it but I can see why Brian McLaren gave it such high marks. Volf, a Croatian theologian now teaching at Fuller Seminary, has experienced first hand the horrors exclusion in the name of piety (such as the Serbian Orthodox ethnic cleansing in the Balkans).

One the things I'd like to do this coming year is read more studiously, or at least to capture notes from my reading. I love to read, and I read a lot, but sometimes I wonder if I'm not reading too much. Perhaps by taking the time to capture things as I go, I'll moderate the pace and retain more of what I do read. We'll see.

Guatemala Part 2

My primary activity was helping to build a block house for a widow, Thomasa, and her family (six children and two parents). You can see the home they have been living in the background on the left and the nearly completed replacement on the right.


Here is a group shot of the building team on the left and Thomasa and three of her children inside their old home weaving, their primary means of income, on the right.



One of the most amazing things was to see how hard the family worked. The girls, who think were about 10 and 12 carried wheel-barrow load after load of sand. Here is Thomasa's mother carrying one of many loads of blocks to the job site.

Highlights from Guatemala

Jesse reminded me that I haven't posted anything on my trip last month to Guatemala...so here it goes part one of multi-part post (this is also a good chance to test out posting pictures).

I went as part of a 10 person team. Six of us were from the Ann Arbor Vineyard and four from First Presbyterian of Brighton. Our mission was to support the work of Teri Litrell who is a full-time missionary in Vasquez, Guatemala (and the aunt of John Starkweather, a member of the A2 Vineyard).

Teri has established a clinic in Vasquez where she trains local Mayan women to be nurses and serves as a general advocate for the people. Here she is with some of her students (and Esther Brunson from Ann Arbor).

We stayed with the family of Sefarino and Maria, who took Teri in some 12 years ago after she first came to Vasquez. Through the years, the support Teri has received has enabled her to build "Sefi" and Maria a nice building complex with room for the loom, a clinic, a classroom/chapel and several guest rooms as well as space for the extended family (pictured below).

I was honored to be able to deliver the Sunday sermon the day after we arrived. It was a humbling experience. The people were very warm and friendly, but by the time my words were translated into Spanish, by Teri, and then Quiche (prounced kee-chay), by Pastor Obispo, it was very difficult to get into any kind of rhythm. It also tripled the time, so my nice 20 minute sermon dragged on past an hour. On top of this, the kids ran around freely and the adults, who primarily spoke Quiche, chatted during the english and spanish parts. This all took some getting used to, but all in all it was a very valuable experience.

Jesus skeptics on the run - Los Angeles Times

Here is a nice editorial discussing Anne Rice's new book and the shift in scholarship away from Jesus-Seminar style skepticism to acceptance of the Gospels as plausibly true.

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For my web design savvy friends, this site lists dozens of beautifully designed sites which utilize CSS. Check it out!.

Dick Staub: Movies - Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire

Since I don't have time to investigate Harry Potter myself (and thankfully Robert, only 5, is still a little too young for it...though he is eating up the Chronicles of Narnia), I'm always interested in a reasoned debate on the propriety of it. Dick Staub is usually pretty good at accomplishing that. (Follow the title link to read Dick Staub's views.)

A Message from God: Effective Immediately

Got this from Dick Staub's culture watch... (BTW...I'll post some reflections from my trip to Guatemala next week after I catch my breath).

From: God

To: You

Effective Immediately,

Please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines.

1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your
problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now; I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling
stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do My job.

5. TALK TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But
there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include
Me in the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest Friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me--I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the
view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger
task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate
than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My
to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should
always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I
still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by Me for one reason only--to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget....