Author: Jon Gauger

In all the world, it is doubtful that any single spot recollects more agony per acre than Israel's Yad Vashem–the Holocaust museum in downtown Jerusalem. Within its cement walkways, there is more sadness per square inch than any place I have ever visited. In addition to what you might expect–photos, letters, artifacts–there was something I had NOT expected: video testimonials.  Large monitors by the dozens recounted the personal agonies of holocaust survivors.   Behind glass display cases, I saw things I wish I had not: a collection of shoes taken from people entering death camps….faces of men who would be shot…

As I write this, I am sitting in a hospital where my wife is recovering from surgery.  A mere curtain separates me from a conversation between the lady in bed #2 and those trying to give her the care she needs.  “Do you have any children?” the team asks. “Two grown sons.”   “Do they live in the area?” the team inquires further. “I don't know” is the woman's reply.   “You don't know where they live?” “No.”   “When was the last time you saw them?” “About a year ago.”   “Did you have a falling out?” “Our family's…

It is a strange moment. As I write this, my wife and I are on our way to meet a new family member.  Our grandson. He has been alive for eight hours.  But we have not met him.  Do not know him.  We’re desperate to see him, grab him, love him.  But it hasn’t happened yet. Strange.  His fingerprints bear my DNA…there is something of ME in him…somewhere.   Yet I really don't know him.  Lord willing, we will look back years from now and talk—together–about “when he was a teeny tiny baby.”  There will be shared experiences and funny sayings…

When it comes to Facebook, I'm a latecomer.  While most ten year olds can run rings around my Facebook skills, I'm convinced my disconnect to this point has given me a perspective that seasoned Facebookers lost a long time ago. For one thing, I want to know why so much of the Facebook world amounts to so little.  Why is it acceptable to post to the public a message that only applies to one or two out of the earth's  7.5  billion people? And why is so much of the content —dare I say a convincing majority—void of any real…

Years ago, an older brother in the faith took me aside and discipled me in something called lifestyle evangelism.   The concept is something of a reaction to older forms of evangelism.  Like preaching on a street corner.  Or shoving a gospel tract into somebody’s hands.  Incidentally, I’m not suggesting that either of those is wrong—or even bad.  But the idea behind lifestyle evangelism is that we—quote—“earn the right to be heard” by virtue of the life that we live.  And there’s something to that.  When it comes to sharing Christ with my neighbors, I’ve worked hard at first being a…

With flu season approaching, lots of folks are thinking about getting immunized. I just got the flu shot myself. It's only too bad that you and I couldn't also get immunized from busy-ness.  You say, “What do you mean by that?”   In my observation, busy-ness has moved beyond the status of a cultural norm to become part of who we are. Think for a minute how the conversation went the last time you asked a friend “How are things going?”    Chances are she or he said, “I'm busy.  Really busy”   And I don't doubt that a lot of us are. …

Scowls are in. Smiles are out. Have you noticed? Take a look at most any current Christian artist album cover or website with a photo. Chances are he or she isn’t smiling. As we have in so many other ways, the Christian subculture has mimicked secular culture.  Not many bother to ask why do the recording artists on secular albums scowl?  Sure, there’s a certain “coolness” factor.  It’s hip to look unhappy—go figure.  But there are other reasons as well.  Secular artists scowl because they have little to smile about.  It’s a culture of hopelessness and materialism that never satisfies. …

Time out for a confession.  I think iPads are incredibly cool.  So cool that I really want one.  Probably want one a little too much for Christ-like comfort.  But so far, I haven't bought one.  And I wish I could tell you it was for deeply spiritual reasons.   However, that would be a lie. I think iPads are incredibly functional—truly practical—graphically gorgeous.  But I don't own one.  And the high price tag isn't the real reason.  The truth is, though I'm definitely a techno fan, I haven't yet bought an iPad because I'm weary.  I'm weary of reaching out and…

For several years now, I've wondered about them—those bumpy little pads or tiles that cities across America have installed at nearly every intersection. .  Doesn't take a genius to figure that those bumpy tiles—usually a pinkish clay color–are being installed to help the visually impaired.  And it makes sense.  Walking more than three miles a day, my experience is that cars sometimes come dangerously close to sidewalk intersections. So I welcome this assistance for the visually impaired. Yet…the cynic in me asks, “Why all of a sudden have municipalities taken up this task?  Why the feverish pace?  Did city fathers…

For the past few months, my wife and I have made regular visits to an old man who is slowly dying.  He has a brilliant mind, has ministered to countless people.  Yet his deterioration is rapid and irreversible.  Some would say, “That’s to be expected.”  But the idealist in me asks, “Why?”  Why did it have to be this way?  And of course, the answer takes me back to the Garden of Eden. In my sanctified imagination, I envision a conversation with Adam and Eve. I see Adam, once a chiseled, muscular outdoorsman with big hands and barrel chest—now shriveled…