Author Archive
Kent Annan
Kony 2012 and the Golden Rule: How Do ‘We’ Tell ‘Their’ Story?
Monday, May 7th, 2012
How should we tell stories about people we’re trying to help?
Individuals, churches, missionaries, and nonprofit groups should ask this regularly. The answer is inextricably bound to the very justice we’re trying to promote. The question now has a perfect case study.
Joseph Kony recently became an Internet star through Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 campaign. Among the millions of people who watched the video, no debate broke out about the evil of Kony, who as a warlord in central Africa maimed many and made children into killers. Worldwide consensus may be near impossible, but the cruelty inflicted by one of the world’s most wanted men can do that. The common goodwill the “Kony 2012″ video unleashed was encouraging. People want the best outcome for those in that region.
Lent: My Hypocrisy, To Dust?
Sunday, April 1st, 2012
“From dust you were formed, to dust you shall return.” Those are the Ash Wednesday words. Ashes were rubbed in a cross on my forehead. Maybe on yours too.
I gave up soda for Lent. The weeks leading up were busy. Ash Wednesday was here; I hadn’t given much thought to this part of it. How petty to give up drinking bubbled sugar that, according to medical studies, will speed my return to dust.
And then I broke even that. A friend asked me if I wanted a Dr. Pepper. I wasn’t staying aware. Cold, crisp Dr. Pepper has undue power over me. It was a hot afternoon. A few minutes later my daughter asked from the back of the van if I just “broke Lent.” She’s six. I’m an idiot. A moment to talk about idiocy and grace.
Can I Let Go of What I Really Want…(VIDEO)
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
…so I can find what I really need?
I want a Burger King Bacon Double Cheeseburger. I want U2′s “Achtung Baby” blasting my ear drums. I want to drive as fast as I want with no pot holes, windows down, turning where I please.
I want to rent two new releases, grab some chips and salsa and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s to fritter the night away. I want to pick up the phone and talk with my sister or brother.
I want lightning speed internet…
Two Years Later: A Prayer for Haiti
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Loving God,
We come to you, first, in silence. We mourn those who died two years ago in the earthquake. And we mourn with those who continue to mourn
The Better Beard at Christmas: Santa or John the Baptist?
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
I’ve never donned a beard or red suit for Christmas. So far that’s my personal line.
But something happens when you have kids. Categories of cool, kitsch, hip, or tacky no longer matter much. It’s a short distance from this to mowing the lawn wearing black dress tube socks with sandals and a Santa hat (I live in Florida; this is possible). But mostly the shift is a good, liberating change.
Why? Because you’re freed from caring what others think of you, and even a bit from what you think of you, into concentrating more on how you can love others. In this case, particularly one’s children.
Joy’s Shadow As New School Year Begins
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
My daughter attended her first day of kindergarten today. A poignant milestone dressed up in an exceptionally cute plaid jumper.
My wife and I thought we were pretty cool with it. Our daughter had attended preschool, after all, so this wasn’t a major logistical change. She was excited as we dropped her off, said goodbye with a smile over her shoulder, then back to drawing in her new notebook.
We still thought we were cool with it after we signed up for PTA at the courtyard table. We ran into the local rabbi. My wife is pastor at a Lutheran church in town and they cross paths regularly. The rabbi’s third child was starting kindergarten. He’s an old hand at this.
