Theologian Martin E. Marty once said, “We do not want cheap grace, a casual people, or a forgotten victim. [..] As a Christian I am told that God is a gracious Other, but I also need and need to be a gracious brother. Gracelessness helps produce totalitarianisms as much as cheap grace might. If there…Read more Moltmann and wrestling with God
Hope
Politics of hope for Myanmar
Few days ago my friends in Myanmar woke up to terrible and shocking, though sadly not surprising, news. The military, called the Tatmadaw, and its commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing have staged a coup. They have arrested the country's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party and…Read more Politics of hope for Myanmar
In the church this side of the barricades
In January expect a real winter in Latvia. Icy sidewalks, snow piles, slush, messy driving... this time of the year I walk the streets of Riga watching every step and practicing good balance. January with its cold temperatures is also a month that brings memories from 1991. Every year Latvia commemorates January 20 and The…Read more In the church this side of the barricades
2019… what do I see
It is time for New Year's resolutions and I will confess... I usually don't make them. I am not good at keeping promises to myself because most of my time and energy is spent trying to keep promises to others and that is difficult enough. But if I was to have my way, I would…Read more 2019… what do I see
Most difficult peace with ourselves
My claim to fame - meeting and talking with Brian "Head" Welch from Korn. I was never a huge fan. I could not relate to their darkness and anger and even less to the destructive lifestyle, but few years ago I heard Head perform his solo album "Save me from myself". Talk about a story…Read more Most difficult peace with ourselves
What I learned from pilgrimage of trust in Rīga
Hope is on my mind. Hope is different from simple optimism or positive thinking because hope is living both in the reality of "now and here" and in "not yet and not there yet". It all depends on the ultimate truth and purpose of life you believe in. Few weeks ago the capital of Latvia…Read more What I learned from pilgrimage of trust in Rīga
Have a brave and creative year 2017…
Rīga, Latvia... December 31, 2016 has turned out to be grey and misty. The sun has been hiding for weeks now and the snow is avoiding us, too. I guess there will be no New Year's Eve sledding or snow ball fights. I just re-read my first post of this past year and the predictions…Read more Have a brave and creative year 2017…
I am so sorry, Aleppo
This is about Syria and it is not about Syria; this is about politics and it is not about politics; this is about global challenges and it is not about global challenges; this is about the world's reaction but it is not about the world. This is about my own feelings in regards to what…Read more I am so sorry, Aleppo
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes…
I miss her. Today, October 8, is her birthday and I miss going to her home, having a nice home cooked meal, watching some silly TV programs, talking about anything and everything, watching her laugh so easily... so many ordinary things that she made special. My mom passed away a few years ago. Today she…Read more Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes…
Shape of my heart
September 21 is the International Day of Peace. So, what? The world does not seem very peaceful; many relationships strained or broken; armed conflicts and rumors of wars in too many places; resources and environment being fought over; refugees in millions; fundamentalists clashing with libertarians; anxiety and fear in the headlines; elections becoming so divisive…Read more Shape of my heart
peaceroads 