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
Respect
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
Answering before listening is both stupid and rude
This nugget of wisdom comes from the book of Proverbs (18:13). In the same chapter you will find that "Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth." I can be both. Stupid and rude. And few other adjectives if you ask people who know me the best. My…Read more Answering before listening is both stupid and rude
Season of Advent reminds us why universal declaration of human rights still matters
Universal declaration of human rights? United nations? International cooperation? International order? Preventing wars? Striving for peace? Respecting human dignity? It is almost 70 years since this declaration was proclaimed and yet it is hard to shake the impression that many people/nations/leaders could care less... I look up at the calendar on my kitchen wall and…Read more Season of Advent reminds us why universal declaration of human rights still matters
Lustration and flushing out the Soviet poison for good
I belong to two generations. Gen X - Nirvana, grunge, MTV, The Cure, flannel shirts, cynicism... but also a generation between two worlds and two truths. Born in the USSR, I became an adult in free and independent Latvia. The feature photo was taken at a former Soviet military facility in western Latvia which used…Read more Lustration and flushing out the Soviet poison for good
Dear Latvia, I love you
This is my dear grandmother Margaret who is only 5 years younger than the Republic of Latvia. Born in 1923, she has seen and experienced many things, lost much but also gained much. She teaches me how not to take things for granted. She also teaches me about courage, sacrifice, creativity, gratitude and hope. Today…Read more Dear Latvia, I love you
Genie out of the bottle…
The summer in Latvia is beautiful but it is difficult to take my mind off the UK news. On June 23 Latvians celebrated the most popular holiday called Ligo when people enjoy the shortest nights of the year. Being in the nature with lots of good food, singing, dancing but mostly good time with friends…Read more Genie out of the bottle…
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