The other day I read an article by a Christian theologian, Kevin Hargaden, who lives in Ireland, saying that he would never consider moving to America, largely because of the gun violence.
You've painted a disturbingly accurate picture of the contrasts and extremes of life in America...particularly the way American culture is self-consumed. Even apart from the Christian nationalist movement there is a general entitlement presumption among American Christians (and evangelicals in particular) with regard to comfort, rights, and power. Having lived most of my adult life in Islamic settings abroad, the tiny Christian communities there have no such presumptive illusions. Instead, they cling to each other while they embrace their Blessed Hope. We have much to learn from them...
Thanks Ken. I think you hit upon an important point. Only American evangelicals think they are supposed to be in charge. That's not how Christians think in the rest of the world.
This is a delightful read. I am NZ born and raised but have been living in the USA for 25 years. You're right about America, as with the comments below, living in America is not for everyone. One could say the same for NZ or Australia and so on. Right now, the last few years heck I'd even go as far as saying since 911 with everything going on this is the most amazing time to live here. Right now its feels like America is on the verge of "fragile peace and certain war" You've got the left trying its best to make everything woke and the right trying to pull the hand brake on that attempt. That sentiment breaches all aspects of American life: spiritually, politically, socially, economically and so on. I hear the more conservative folks saying "America is going to hell in a handbasket" There's plenty of eg's to support that statement.
BUT the heartbeat of America, the American's that won my reluctant heart in '98, the people who are raising their families, working hard, patriotic, doing everything they can to live the American dream to me they are something special. There's sadly some real ugly things that go down in America (I live in a town next door to Sandy Hook so that ugliness got personal for us). We also had friends on the second plane that went into the twin towers. Those experiences and countless others that exemplify evil in this corner of the world taught this little Kiwi how to stand against evil, stand on my faith, and most importantly how to hold on tight to Jesus when nothing makes sense.
America would be lucky to have you Mike, and anyone else who wants to give America a go. There's no promise of a utopia but it will be the best adventure of your life.
I’m an immigrant. I love America plain and simple. I’m also well travelled and have interacted with and befriended many people across the world.
What makes America great is our freedoms. What’s not great is that both sides of the aisle have an agenda and it’s ruining peoples lives. In one sense America is great because you can pursue your dreams but now we’re plagued with a mental health crisis that’s costing lives. Our society became hedonistic and now the middle class is disappearing fast. In one sense, you can work hard to make a living and pull yourself up, on the other the game is rigged for a handful of people.
The first time I traveled to Israel was scary because I found myself in the same dynamic you are describing. All the headlines had me worried that I’d find myself walking down a street with warring factions on each side, caught in a attack, or worse. When my daughter spent a semester in London and traveled the UK there were things in the headlines that set my Dad senses off.
I remember watching a show on Discovery about the ten deadliest animals in the world and most of them were in Australia. I thought “I’m never going there!”
But here’s the thing. My experience in Israel was nothing like I anticipated. The beauty and richness I found there were truly life altering. My daughter had the same experience studying and traveling abroad. I bet if I flew to Australia, I wouldn’t be attacked by the “Ten Deadliest Animals on Earth” when I stepped off the plane.
You are not wrong about the some of the issues we have here in the states. Murica gon Murica. But I’m betting your experience here would be shaped much more by the people you mentioned than the headlines in the news. I personally believe if you were to set up shop here in the states, the US would be better for it. We need voices like yours. Who knows, you might even find yourself enjoying a nice cup of….
Cory, there's always a difference between reporting and reality. That said, I do visit the country 1-2 times per year, have been all over it, and there are significant issues! But yeah, maybe one day, Mike Bird Industries will set up home in the US of A. Love me some Chik-Fil-A.
You've painted a disturbingly accurate picture of the contrasts and extremes of life in America...particularly the way American culture is self-consumed. Even apart from the Christian nationalist movement there is a general entitlement presumption among American Christians (and evangelicals in particular) with regard to comfort, rights, and power. Having lived most of my adult life in Islamic settings abroad, the tiny Christian communities there have no such presumptive illusions. Instead, they cling to each other while they embrace their Blessed Hope. We have much to learn from them...
Thanks Ken. I think you hit upon an important point. Only American evangelicals think they are supposed to be in charge. That's not how Christians think in the rest of the world.
This is a delightful read. I am NZ born and raised but have been living in the USA for 25 years. You're right about America, as with the comments below, living in America is not for everyone. One could say the same for NZ or Australia and so on. Right now, the last few years heck I'd even go as far as saying since 911 with everything going on this is the most amazing time to live here. Right now its feels like America is on the verge of "fragile peace and certain war" You've got the left trying its best to make everything woke and the right trying to pull the hand brake on that attempt. That sentiment breaches all aspects of American life: spiritually, politically, socially, economically and so on. I hear the more conservative folks saying "America is going to hell in a handbasket" There's plenty of eg's to support that statement.
BUT the heartbeat of America, the American's that won my reluctant heart in '98, the people who are raising their families, working hard, patriotic, doing everything they can to live the American dream to me they are something special. There's sadly some real ugly things that go down in America (I live in a town next door to Sandy Hook so that ugliness got personal for us). We also had friends on the second plane that went into the twin towers. Those experiences and countless others that exemplify evil in this corner of the world taught this little Kiwi how to stand against evil, stand on my faith, and most importantly how to hold on tight to Jesus when nothing makes sense.
America would be lucky to have you Mike, and anyone else who wants to give America a go. There's no promise of a utopia but it will be the best adventure of your life.
Sarah, I agree, I like America, there's great people, so much to praise and admire, but also some weird and scary bits.
Interesting, it is also 50/50 on (b) and (c)
I’m an immigrant. I love America plain and simple. I’m also well travelled and have interacted with and befriended many people across the world.
What makes America great is our freedoms. What’s not great is that both sides of the aisle have an agenda and it’s ruining peoples lives. In one sense America is great because you can pursue your dreams but now we’re plagued with a mental health crisis that’s costing lives. Our society became hedonistic and now the middle class is disappearing fast. In one sense, you can work hard to make a living and pull yourself up, on the other the game is rigged for a handful of people.
The first time I traveled to Israel was scary because I found myself in the same dynamic you are describing. All the headlines had me worried that I’d find myself walking down a street with warring factions on each side, caught in a attack, or worse. When my daughter spent a semester in London and traveled the UK there were things in the headlines that set my Dad senses off.
I remember watching a show on Discovery about the ten deadliest animals in the world and most of them were in Australia. I thought “I’m never going there!”
But here’s the thing. My experience in Israel was nothing like I anticipated. The beauty and richness I found there were truly life altering. My daughter had the same experience studying and traveling abroad. I bet if I flew to Australia, I wouldn’t be attacked by the “Ten Deadliest Animals on Earth” when I stepped off the plane.
You are not wrong about the some of the issues we have here in the states. Murica gon Murica. But I’m betting your experience here would be shaped much more by the people you mentioned than the headlines in the news. I personally believe if you were to set up shop here in the states, the US would be better for it. We need voices like yours. Who knows, you might even find yourself enjoying a nice cup of….
Cory, there's always a difference between reporting and reality. That said, I do visit the country 1-2 times per year, have been all over it, and there are significant issues! But yeah, maybe one day, Mike Bird Industries will set up home in the US of A. Love me some Chik-Fil-A.
Agreed.
CFA is reason enough!