I just finished reading Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin. This book is different from the hundreds that have been written about homosexuality and Christianity. And Marin is up front in telling you that if you’re looking for definitive answers, you’ll be disappointed. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that no matter where you stand and what you believe about same-sex issues you’ll disagree with something that Marin says. But the point of this book is not to influence your beliefs or behaviors in the manner that most books on the subject strive to do. What Marin is attempting is plainly stated in the subtitle—he wants to elevate the conversation between the GLBT community and the Evangelical community. He does this by helping you understand the mindset of others—whether or not you agree with them. And, if you approach his book with an open mind (whatever you believe), he can help you with that understanding.

Of course, there will be those who don’t want to elevate the conversation. On both sides there are those who prefer culture wars. Anything less than that feels like a compromise to some people. But if you have people you love who are gay or you are gay, you know that something beyond warfare is desperately needed. Don’t be afraid to pick up this book. You’ll disagree at some points, but Marin doesn’t beat you over the head. In fact, his words are kind and his book is a model of civil dialogue.

Today I received my December issue of Sojourners. When I read Jim Wallis' editorial, The Urgency of Civility, I knew I had to share it with you.

I feel very strongly that our leaders have failed us on the issue of health insurance reform. We have a problem. But instead of watching intelligent people getting in the same room and sitting around the same table searching for solutions, we have watched our legislators treat one another as political enemies. Any leader knows that more can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit. But we cannot find a healthy response to the problem because our two major political parties seem to think that it is unthinkable to actually compromise with one another for the good of the people.

But it is not just our politicical leaders. The pundits have enthusiastically chimed in to vilify those with whom they disagree. And it has trickled all the way down to us. Most people I speak to are preoccupied with the politics of it, rather than trying to discover what would be best for every American.

I've hesitated to talk about this because I don't want to come off so negative about our leaders. Too late. So, don't listen to me, but read Wallis' commentary. I love the subtitle -- "Respecting the image of God in one another." For those of us who call ourselves Christians, that seems like a perfect starting point.

“If every person who attended church in this country made just one fair trade purchase, one million families would be lifted out of poverty for one whole year.”

I heard it on the “Trade as One” web site. This video tells you a little bit about “Trade as One” and gives a simple explanation of what fair trade is and why it is so important.

I’m pumped for Christmas. I’ve already placed a wreath on my office door, I've got a Christmas coffee mug on my desk and Christmas music playing while I work. And to top it off I received an email today that really got me excited. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries now offers an NCM Gift Card.

Here’s how it works: You purchase an NCM Gift Card. You give the gift card to someone.

They learn about NCM causes at ncm.org. They donate to a cause using their NCM Gift Card.

The NCM Gift Card can be redeemed toward over 100 projects and causes, ranging from water wells, to supporting unsponsored children, to HIV/AIDS ministries, and more. Through such gifts, NCM partners with congregations worldwide to provide education, prayer, economic partnership, and training for communities in their times of need. Through this we can extend Christ’s love in word and action to those in need.

You can go to ncm.org/giftcard to purchase an NCM Gift Card and give the gift of hope.

Forgiveness is risky business—particularly when we are engaging in that peculiarly Christian practice of forgiving and loving our enemies.  Most of us really don’t want to see our enemies forgiven. We’re afraid that if we forgive, we are somehow minimizing the evil of their deeds. So when someone chooses to forgive an enemy they are often vilified by their friends.

I don’t know if Lisa Gibson will be vilified, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be misunderstood. But it seems to me that she has had the courage to take the Sermon on the Mount seriously. That’s a dangerous thing to do.

Read her story.

Check out the article and video.

By the way, they are really comfortable. I wear mine most of the time.