Struggle for simplicity

There are moments in my life where I find a comfort in the thought of a simplistic lifestyle. I feel a pulling toward  a calmer and more relaxed state thinking of all the the areas where I can begin to simplify and reduce the noise.

Then, there is a pull in the other direction. It comes from a fear that others might not appreciate the same level of simplicity and would only get discouraged.

 In the tug of war, the complexity of relationships has been stronger than the pursuit of simplicity.

Leadership influence

In sports everyone plays a position, but there are times when each position must react to the game and influence the play by playing a different position than what they are listed as on the roster.

No matter what your position is, influence is key.

Self-discipline and motivation require hope

The level of self-discipline is determined by motivation. The level of motivation is determined by consequences - good or bad - except in cases where hope is not found.

Increase the level of hope and you increase the motivation and self-discipline.

If there is absolutely no hope at all, failure is inevitable.

Dehumanizing

It is tempting to dehumanize others who are different in the way they live, think, or believe. It's tempting to make ourselves the standard for humanity and also to accuse others of dehumanizing others.

In comparison to Christ, we all dehumanize ourselves. It's through him we have the ability to re-humanize ourselves and others.

Discouraged?

Receiving encouragement first requires the courage to make yourself vulnerable to others. It's risky, but the reward is great.

Who is My Enemy?

People have different criteria for defining what makes a book good. One of the the things that helps me to identify a good book is when it shakes the foundations on which I stand. Lee Camp does just that in his latest book Who Is My Enemy?: Questions American Christians Must Face about Islam--and Themselves.

In a not-so-subtle way, Camp reminded me and introduced me to a number of historical events that have shaped my views on pacifism and the "just war tradition." At the same time he draws parallels to historical events throughout Islam and shows how the Muslim faith and the Christian faith are more similar than we want to admit.

Camp embraces the struggle a Christian should bear when it comes to war and death by asking questions that provoke a Christian to reconsider how we make room for Jesus and his message in our lives.

His arguments are difficult to outflank - at least they are for me.