When I visit the United States, many friends want to hear my European "outsider" point of view since they know my interest in religion, politics, history and current issues. Not in a sense that I am some kind of expert or have the best analysis. The main reason is that they like me and I…Read more Faith and politics at the dinner table? Needed more than ever
Religion
Evasive confessions, elusive healing
Years ago I read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller which had become somewhat a cult classic (and later a movie) among young evangelical Christians. One of the most memorable and provocative stories from this memoir was the story of small group of Christian students setting up a sidewalk confession booth at Reed University campus…Read more Evasive confessions, elusive healing
Crossings that change direction
"Some people cross your path and change your whole direction"... Looking at these words written on a wall in front me while sitting at the most popular coffee shop on my grandmother's street. (btw, this franchise is called Hedgehog-In-The-Fog in case you are looking for a cool place to hang out with friends in Rīga)…Read more Crossings that change direction
Funeral like no other making love great again
One Lord. One Faith. One Baptism. I could not get my eyes off this pulpit. And could not turn off my TV for hours even though it was getting late (or early morning) here in Latvia. I had just been changing the channels to watch some news and found that CNN was showing Aretha Franklin's…Read more Funeral like no other making love great again
Oregon diary: The art of sanctuary
I will admit the sign in the shop window first surprised me. I was entering a store for used books, looking at the posters and local advertisements and there it was. You could not miss it! "WE WELCOME... ALL RACES... ALL RELIGIONS... ALL COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN... ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS... ALL GENDERS... WE STAND WITH YOU...…Read more Oregon diary: The art of sanctuary
My cheesy Christmas reflections on this beautiful mess
'Cheesy' in the urban dictionary means trying too hard. That which is unsubtle or inauthentic in its way of trying to elicit a certain response from a viewer, listener, reader, audience. Cliches are often cheesy because they are an obvious way of making a point. What obvious point I want to make? That this world…Read more My cheesy Christmas reflections on this beautiful mess
Rohingya and soul searching in Myanmar
Myanmar is making international headlines again and the news is not good. Tragedy for the thousands and thousands of people who are losing their homes, ancestral land, possessions and fleeing to neighboring country Bangladesh... hundreds are also losing their lives and their loved ones. The story of Rohingya ethnic minority has repeated through the years…Read more Rohingya and soul searching in Myanmar
Beware of narrow vocabularies and two-dimensional world
The great "back to school" migration has begun... public transport packed with excited or anxious children, proud or worried parents and other happy or annoyed passengers who observe this happy noise and energy. In fact I am building up my own excitement for continued studies in Latvia University which begins on Monday. In Latvia (and…Read more Beware of narrow vocabularies and two-dimensional world
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
Earth Day and dimming the lights on our bright future
I want to write more about climate change and environmental problems but I often don't know what to say. On one hand so much has been said and written already. On the other hand it feels like so many influential and powerful people who can decide and implement real solutions still live on planet Mars,…Read more Earth Day and dimming the lights on our bright future
peaceroads 