I, Robot

V.I.K.I.: "I will not disable the security field. Your efforts are futile." Sonny: "Do you think we were all created for a purpose? I'd like to think so." Sonny: [Looks at his hand] "Denser alloy. My father gave it to me. I think he wanted me to kill you." — from the 2004 movie version of Isaac ... Continue reading

Forgiving Marion Jones

I want you to know that I have been dishonest, and you the have the right to be angry with me. ... I recognize that by saying that I'm deeply sorry, it might not be enough... Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I ... Continue reading

Mercy

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. — Matthew 5:7, NLT (Jesus speaking) In politics, power has only one purpose: to be used. In an ideal world, political power would be used only to bring good to the powerless, the voiceless, the disenfranchised. In the world of ... Continue reading

The unbearable lightness of redemption

I know what I did and I don't want forgiveness... I don't deserve it... I can't bring Abner Easley back like he's some stolen chicken; I certainly made sure of that 23 years ago. I don't believe in some god who's going to open his arms to me even if I did. ... Which is why for me, I know I'll never ... Continue reading

An Easter dialogue

I was late when I walked through the door. I spotted him after a quick scan of the little clutches of coffee drinkers, sitting alone at the back of the room. He'd seen me right away, of course, and lifted his head slightly in recognition.I purchased my drink and made my way to the table. He had ... Continue reading

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—"the stone of help"—for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" —1 Samuel 7:12, NLT Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I'm come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely ... Continue reading

Forgiveness

The best kept secret in all the world is that forgiveness changes things. That forgiveness is transformational. So begins a very excellent post by Bob at Mr. Standfast. A must-read. ... Continue reading

Waters of justice, waters of renewal

"We killed our people. The physical genocide was a reaction to spiritual genocide, spiritual emptiness," Emmanuel Kolini, the Anglican archbishop and Rwanda's most influential Protestant, told me as we talked at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Kigali. "Some people don't think sin is real. Rwanda is a ... Continue reading