Last week’s post, “Understanding Pro-Life and Biden,” had a fine discussion. Some thought I suggested voting for Biden—not at all. The purpose of the post was to help us understand the critical need to understand those with different views on issues that the Bible does not directly address as required…But understanding goes in two directions and…This week I ask those who favor Biden, or disapprove of Trump because they are not the same, to strive to understand why Christians can vote for Trump. Turn about is fair play. Once more, I ask you to understand, not to agree.
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image from sott.net
Understanding Pro Life and Biden
Last week we explored the division between Christians on political issues, many of which center on abortion. In the interest of dampening the divide, maybe we need to understand the reasoning of those with a different opinion. Understanding doesn’t always mean agreement, but that we “get” both what others believe and why they believe it. This statement, signed by thousands of evangelicals, some well known leaders and some you’ve not heard of, explain their position on abortion and being pro-life and voting for Biden. I don’t ask you to agree with this, but prayerfully ask to understand their hearts. Maybe we can begin to…
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Today's Great Heresy
Facebook teaches theology, something I never expected. I’ve discovered it delves deep into what it means to follow Jesus. Lest you misinterpret this, please read it as sarcasm. Here’s one theology post, “You can not be a Christian and support Biden because he...” About the time I began to incorporate this into my theology, I came across another, “A Christian can not support Trump because he...” My mind began to…
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Keep Them as You Win Them
Take a look at the cross above, and which first comes to mind? The truth that Jesus’ death on the cross paid the debt for our sin and we can know him? The truth that we each must take up OUR cross daily, even at the risk of our life? Let me suggest that as we tell people about Jesus, we need to cover both. I learned that the hard way.
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image from wildlife.ca.gov
A Tale of Two Trout
Rock Creek, a bit above Bishop CA, has built a fine reputation for fall fishing, with an appreciated bonus of the aspen turning their holy gold. But every rule has an exception, and September 2018 served that role. In a good 1/2 mile of fishing, quite a bit when going into and out of all the holes, not a single trout had any interest in anything I presented. Then came the first, the gentle nibble of a trout trying to discover if this was a meal, but not ready to commit himself. Just a taste. But I felt the tug and set the hook by raising the rod tip, and pulled out…
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The 750 from the first Iron Butt Ride.
70 Isn’t 28
Every so often, “Unconventional” features a fresh post from a 2018 ride at the age of 70--an Iron Butt that covered 1,080 miles in just over 16 hours, from Temecula to Dillon MT, all on the fairly straight, sometimes barren and sometimes scenic I-15. My Honda ST1300 was without music and the interstate quite uncrowded, providing time to think and pray and ponder. Leaving at 4 AM and traveling 450 miles, the bike entered Cedar City UT at 10:30. Good time, but already some tiredness arrived. So a longer pit stop provided an early lunch and rest. During the last two hours of the ride, I wanted nothing more than…
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Cancel Culture--Church Style
Our politically charged society has a new term: cancel culture. The tipping point of the concept came from differing slants on Confederate war monuments. Some say they glorify treason and should be removed from public display; others say that’s our history and we shouldn’t try to cancel our culture. Let’s not get into the political, because we face a deeper issue of cancel culture in the church—where many cancel core beliefs about following Jesus. Not necessarily intentionally or knowingly, but many times we…
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Oak Creek 2020
Restoration
For several decades, Dad and I fished a lot of Sierra streams, and Oak Creek just north of Independence may top the list of favorites. The water flow remained consistent for spring to fall angling, and while they had developed campsites, you could camp anywhere on the stream—just be neat. I still remember landing my first big trout there as a mid-teen: 16” and a fat 1 ½ lbs. Then troubles afflicted Oak. Whirling disease hit in 1984, stopping all stocking of rainbow trout, but some good browns remained, and the trailhead continued to give good results. Then a 2007 fire incinerated all the trees and brush from the trailhead nearly to…
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