Rediscovering Values

Our Field of Dreams in Bristol, Connecticut

Jim Wallis | Posted 10.05.2011

Read More: Son Luke, Right Fielder, Stories, Jim Wallis, Ditches, Washington, Bleachers, Bristol Connecticut, Connecticut, Delaware Pennsylvania, Field Fence, Mexican, Twin Towers, Poor, District of Columbia, Hope, Potholes, Field of Dreams, Scorebook, Young Boys, Green Grass, Fences, Baseball Player, Parents, Vacation, Baseball Team, Story, Baseball Diamond, New York City, Egalitarian, Rediscovering Values, Baseball, State Champions, Family Member, Baseball Tournament, Little League Baseball, Little League, D.C., Religion News

Political fights in Washington are done for the moment. We're on vacation now. We got to Bristol. My children are full of excitement. And it is time to play ball!

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Will Politicians Listen to Pastors?

Jim Wallis | Posted 09.13.2011

Read More: Sinners and Saints, Sojourners, Neighbor, Children, Media, Civil Rights Activists, Campaign, Perspective, National Politics, Deficit Reduction, Pastors, Economic, Civil Rights, Church Members, Vineyard Church of Columbus, Hope, Constituents, Serving, Donors, Summer, Electoral Gains, Christian Leaders, Faith, Congregations, Christians, Love Your Neighbor, Politicians, Politics, Sinner, Budget Debate, Constituent, Congress, Poll Ratings, Civil Rights Activist, Political Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Budget Impasse, Pollsters, Sojourner, Principle, Bible, Poor Families, Israel, Political Leader, Christian, Women's Voices, Politics News

Our country is in the midst of a clash between two competing moral visions, between those who believe in the common good, and those who believe individual good is the only good. It's time our leaders in Washington listen to someone other then themselves.

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My Other Calling? Coaching Jack and Luke

Jim Wallis | Posted 08.31.2011

Read More: Son Luke, Energy, Baseball Team, Politics, Major League Baseball, Men, Community, Struggle, Profession, Mary, Rediscovering Values, Baseball, Friendship, Young Men, Television, Dad, Sojourner, Principle, Water, Summer, Accomplishment, Father, Little League Baseball, Little League, Religion News

I know baseball well enough to teach and coach the kids, but the skills have never been my strength as a coach. Rather, I bring the qualities from the rest of my life as a speaker, preacher, and pastor to my Little League team.

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The War Must Not Go On!

Jim Wallis | Posted 08.23.2011

Read More: Capitol Hill, White House, Sojourners, Opportunity, Children, War in Afghanistan, Economy, Employment, Obama, Iraq, Economic, Presidential Candidate, Movement, Republican, Troops in Afghanistan, American Soldier, Intelligence, Unemployment, Members of Congress, Bumper Stickers, Christ, Walter Jones, Religious Leader, Shift, Promise, John McCain, Mental Health, Mental Health Problems, Veterans, Religious, Mitt Romney, Community, Congress, Presidential Candidates, Threats of Terrorism, Bipartisan, Political Leaders, Religious Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Suicide, Military, Afghanistan, Politics News

The president has announced that after an initial drawdown in Afghanistan, the remaining troops will be withdrawn "at a steady pace" going into 2014. But that's not good enough. President Obama had an opportunity to pivot his policy on the war and he didn't take it.

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The Highest Calling: Being a Dad

Jim Wallis | Posted 08.20.2011

To have this relationship with these two boys is literally the best thing I will ever have. And to always be with them, and for them, in this world, is the highest calling I will ever know.

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Wanted: 1,000 Pastors For the Poor

Jim Wallis | Posted 08.16.2011

Read More: Political Ideology, Leadership, Sojourners, Wealthy, Stories, Jim Wallis, Prophetic, Children, Taxes, Washington, War, Federal Budget, American, Prophet, Pastors, America, Public Policies, Government, Theology, Christian Tradition, Wealth, Values, Tax Cuts, Housing, College Degrees, College Degree, Public Policy, Leaders, Politics, Imperative, Mothers, Tradition, Biblical, Npr, Congress, Partnerships, Families, Political Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Compassion, Nutrition Programs, Private Partnership, Economic Times, Myth, Women, Those With Disabilities, Churches, Hunger, Faith-Based, Medical Care, Poverty, Religion News

There is a policy myth is that churches and charities alone could take care of the problems of poverty -- especially if we slashed taxes. But this really has more to do with libertarian political ideology than good theology.

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The Top 3 Signs This War Will End

Jim Wallis | Posted 08.02.2011

Read More: President, Sojourners, President Obama, Jim Wallis, War in Afghanistan, Police, Prophet Isaiah, Democrat, Rediscovering Values, Economic, Hopeful Signs, Republicans and Democrats, Republican, Military Operation, Fiscal Responsibility, Intelligence, Hope, Members of Congress, Pruning Hooks, Jim McGovern, Walter Jones, Military Operations, Afghanistan, Republicans, Security, Drawdown, Partisan, World News

Congress is fed up with the war in Afghanistan, and its members' turn against the war mirrors the quickly changing public opinion.

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Afghanistan: No More Excuses

Jim Wallis | Posted 07.12.2011

Read More: President, Gallup Poll, Stories, Children, War in Afghanistan, Washington, Politics, Afghan, Terrorist, United States, American Troops, Bipartisan, Rediscovering Values, Democrats, Osama Bin Laden, Republican, Military Operation, Billions and Billions, Quarterly Progress Reports, Members of Congress, Jim McGovern, Billions of Dollars, Military, Afghanistan, National Conversation, Accountability, Bipartisan Effort, Congressional Pressure, Religion News

After 10 long years, the national conversation on the war in Afghanistan has changed significantly. And now, the hunt for Osama bin Laden, used for years to justify the war, is over.

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Jon Stewart and the Sheer Hypocrisy of Fox News on Teachers

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Public Schools, Collective Bargaining, Video, Sojourners, Husbands, Three Sisters, Jim Wallis, Middle Class, Private Sector Counterparts, Email, Vices, Opinion, Profession, Budget Deficit, Schools, Preachers, Public School Teachers, Economic, Comedy Central, Conservative, Parent, Hope, Billions of Dollars, Tax Cuts, Taxpayer Money, Parent Teacher Conferences, Public School Teacher, Economic Crisis, Money, Education, Men, Employee, The Daily Show, Rich Fox, Corporate America, Rediscovering Values, Corporations, Application, Jon Stewart, Part Time Jobs, Indecision, Public Sector Employees, Military, Fox News, Teacher of the Year, Eve, Conservatives, Wall Street Pay, Christian, Media News

I like teachers. But what I am learning from conservatives these days, especially the hosts and commentators for Fox News is that public school teachers are greedy.

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Can an Orange Bracelet Turn Hearts in Washington?

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Political Spectrum, President, Sojourners, President Obama, Jim Wallis, Email Updates, Children, Budget Priorities, Campaign, Washington Post, Nutrition Assistance, Facebook, Business, Republicans and Democrats, Republican, Troops in Afghanistan, Government, Tough Choices, Television, Soldier, Welfare, Talk Show, Member of Congress, Aids, Talk Show Host, Advocacy, Radio Talk Show Hosts, Energy, Pentagon, Time, Public Spending, Twitter, Education, Politics, Budget Debate, Government Shutdown, Radio Talk Show, Families, Rediscovering Values, Democrats, Moral Issue, Least of These, Vocation, Head Start, Financial Trouble, Churches, Republicans, Military Spending, Hunger, Bipartisan Support, Religion News

Cutting programs that help the most vulnerable isn't going to get us out of financial trouble, or reduce the deficit in ways that we now need.

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Losing Our Sons and Daughters: The Cost of Afghanistan

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Killing, Sojourners, Email Updates, War in Afghanistan, Washington, Politics, Perspective, American, Washington Post, Dissent, Rediscovering Values, America, Battle of Fallujah, Government, John F Kelly, Indifference, Military Assistant, Robert M Kelly, Military Officer, Urban Battle, Sacrifices, Civilian Casualties, Change, Taliban, Landmine, Military, Sons and Daughters, Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, Parents, Politics News

The small percentage of Americans who have borne the brunt of the human costs of our Afghan war, the utter corruption of the government we are supporting, and the toll in civilian casualties all make the continuing of this war immoral.

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A Letter To Young Egyptian Protesters, From A Veteran U.S. Activist

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Democracy, Moral Compass, Twitter, President Obama, Economy, Rediscovering Values, Protesters, Foreign Policy, Corporations, Government, Wall Street, Hope, Tahrir Square, Freedom, Change, Arab World, Security, Advocacy, Egypt Protests, Religion News

The Egyptian people have won the hearts of the world. They represent a new generation, a new leadership, and a new hope for the future. It is their time to lead.

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Innovating in Humanity

Dov Seidman | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Government, Politics, Inspiration, Values, Economy, Sustainability, Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Society, Rediscovering Values, Customer Experience, Business News

If this notion of what I call "human innovation" doesn't quite compute, it is because our traditional thinking on innovation is ripe for a breakthrough.

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After Tucson, the State of the Union

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Liberals and Conservatives, Human, Sojourners, War in Afghanistan, Low, Compromise, Immigration System, Immigration, Arizona, Priorities, Marginalized, Commitment, Republican, Media Forums, Senator Tom Coburn, Members of Congress, Conflict, Liberals, Health Care, Biggest Banks, Union, State of the Union, Civil Discourse, State of the Nation, Attack, Public Discourse, Veterans, Senator Charles Schumer, Politics, Horrible Tragedy, Common Ground, Congress, Families, Rediscovering Values, Moral Issue, Recession, Barack Obama, Corporations, Demonization, Republican Senator, Disagreements, Orphan, Change, Reflection, National Commitment, Political Leader, State of the Union Address, Conservatives, Politics News

The speech Barack Obama gave in Tucson was a memorial to the victims of a horrible tragedy, but the spirit of his speech could also shape Tuesday's State of the Union address by calling us to be worthy of each victim's sacrifice.

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President Obama Should Have Fought This One

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: President, Small Business, Philosophy, Wealthy, President Obama, Jim Wallis, Goldman Sachs, Tax Rates, National Debate, National, Middle Class, Redistribution of Wealth, Compromise, Banking Industry, America, Republican, Payroll Tax, Letter to the President, Wealth, Refundable Tax Credits, Bailout, Common Good, Values, Socialized, Economic Inequality, History, Equality, Moral Compass, Economics, Trade, American History, Politics, Families, Religious Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Sojomail, Barack Obama, Wealthiest Americans, Self Interest, Wall Street, Sojourner, Blog, Ceo, Bottom to the Top, Middle Class Tax, Working Families, Socialism, Republicans, Inequality, Politics News

Obama has again bent to the economic philosophy that rewards the casino gamblers on Wall Street and leaves the majority of the country standing outside the casino with a tin cup -- hoping that the gamblers are at least big tippers.

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It Takes A Movement: The Next Steps

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Political Spectrum, White House, Undocumented Immigrants, Midterm Election, Children, Washington, Middle Class, Political Leadership, It Takes a Movement, Mobilization, Movement, Common Good, Values, Political Aisle, Climate Change, Religious Leader, American Politics, Gays and Lesbians, Healthy Families, Teaching, Poverty in America, Congregations, Family Friendly Policies, Moral Compass, Scapegoating, Education, Income Women, Creation Care, Community, Election, Religious Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Gay Teens, Number of Abortions in America, Moral Issues, Faith Community, Unwanted Pregnancies, Political Leader, Ethics, Undocumented Immigrant, Terrorism, Obama Administration, Religion News

Neither the left nor the right has the answers to our most pressing problems, though each will continue to say that it does. So we have to focus on the spiritual and moral values that bring us together.

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Seven Steps to Civility This Election Season

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Neighbor, Debate, Jim Wallis, 1 Corinthians 13, Cia, Scripture, Economy, Target, Opinion, Main Street, Faithful Witness, Pray, Election Season, Prayer, Republicans and Democrats, Republican, 1 Timothy 2, Image of God, Common Good, Religious Leader, Civility, Ephesians, Church, Moral Compass, Public Discourse, Common Ground, Community, Democrat, Newspaper, Wedge Issue, Congress, Ground Solutions, Pastor, Religious Leaders, Political Leaders, Rediscovering Values, Democrats, Covenant, Fear Mongering, Candidate, John, Truth and Civility, Republicans, Rhetoric, Politics News

This week, a group of more than 130 former legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, released a letter urging for civility and encouraging candidates, once elected, to focus on cooperation to face our country's greatest challenges.

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The War in Iraq: At What Cost?

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: President, President Obama, Mental Health, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Speech, Jesus, Washington, Veterans, Politics, Economy, 9/11, United States, Iraq, Clean Energy, Oil, Weapons, Priorities, Rediscovering Values, Foreign Policy, Saddam, Government, Infrastructure, Iran, Bush Administration, New Economy, Middle East, Occupation, Iraq War, War in Iraq, Afghanistan, Religion News

The president asked the nation to "turn the page" last night. But what makes me so sad this morning is the enormous human cost of the war in Iraq; and how a massive number of people and families -- in America and Iraq -- have had their lives ended or changed forever because of this war and will have a hard time turning the page. So was the war in Iraq worth the enormous human cost?

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We Must Respond to the Needs of the Gulf Coast

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

At the heart of the Christian tradition lies the belief that transformation requires sacrifice. Deep and abiding change is hard. But the BP leak is only the latest sign that our society must do exactly that.

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Finance Reform a Historic Accomplishment

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Taxpayer Expense, Senate Conference Committee, Moral Compass, Moral Principles, Regulatory Reform Bill, Main Street, Backroom Deals, Rediscovering Values, Democrats, Recession, Transparency, Government, Mortgages, U S Senate, Wall Street, Common Good, New Economy, Abusive Practices, Finance, FInancial Markets, Public Oversight, Change, Republicans, Consumer Protection, Accountability, Government Regulation, Politics News

Last evening, the U.S. Senate passed a financial regulatory reform bill by a 59-39 vote, including four Republicans. While the legislation still conta...

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The Great Recession: A Spiritual Crisis

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Religion, Jim Wallis, Values Recession, Rediscovering Values, Values, Ethics, Christianity, Christian Values, Recession, Religion News

The Great Recession bears some "religious" reflection, as the market has gradually become all pervasive -- a replacement for religion and even for God.

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Elizabeth Warren and Goliath

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Market, Fundamentalism, Elizabeth Warren, Economy, Middle Class, Main Street, Debt, Pastors, Economic, Methodist, America, Conservative, Bailout, Common Good, Values, Bonus, Great Recession, Security, Human Nature, History, Shame, Greed, System, Moral Compass, Repentance, Economics, Money, Jesus, Politics, Tradition, Economic System, Community, Congress, Rediscovering Values, Interview, Corporations, Moral Values, Great Depression, Myth, Free Market Fundamentalism, Wall Street, Application, Ceo, Faith Community, Prosperity, Crisis, Credit Card, Depression, Mammon, Business News

As Elizabeth Warren, a good Methodist, warns: The banks are trying everything they can think of to kill financial reform. And we must not let them do that.

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The State of the Union: Unfinished Business

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Social Justice, Small Business, President Obama, Washington, Social Security, Economy, State, Government Spending, Compromise, Immigration, Priorities, Business, Taxpayers, Economic, Legislation, America, Government, Infrastructure, Hope, Bailout, Values, Great Recession, Irresponsibility, Foreclosure, Security, Health Care, State of the Union, Moral Compass, Budget, Education, Religious, Congress, Health, Medicaid, Weapons, Rediscovering Values, Recession, Compassion, Immigration Reform, Corporate Irresponsibility, Wall Street, Nuclear Weapons, Ceo, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Foreclosures, Change, Health Care Reform, Weapon System, Military, Medicare, State of the Union Address, Military Spending, Politics News

Rather than the inspiring rhetoric of a campaign speech, Obama's State of the Union address was a more sober reflection on unfinished business.

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Creating Change in the Midst of Crisis: Re-thinking Our Values

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Market, Video, Shareholders, Global Economy, Children, Davos, Business, Economic, Environment, Wealth, Nobel Peace Prize, Common Good, Values, Finding Our Way in the New Economy, Social Responsibility, Financial Crisis, Plenary Session, Capitalism, Class, World Economic Forum, System, Economics, Economic Crisis, Trade, Politics, Labor, Economic System, Klaus Schwab, Mohammad Yunus, Rediscovering Values, Grameen Bank, France, Wall Street, New Economy, Profits, Banks, Nicolas Sarkozy, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Poverty, Politics News

In past years at Davos, I often found myself in early morning optional sessions on social responsibility, in small rooms on the third floor of the c...

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Changing the Script with Jon Stewart

Jim Wallis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Goldman Sachs, Charity, Economy, Comments, Media, Main Street, Business, Economic, America, Culture, Sunday School, Morning Joe, Bailout, Finding Our Way in the New Economy, Morality, Greed, Shame, Leaders, Moral Compass, Twitter, Native American, Economics, Maxims, Politics, Biblical, Compensation, The Daily Show, God, Rediscovering Values, Book Tour Diary, Wall Street, Jon Stewart, Ceo, Haiti, Banks, Giving, Politics News

Bank bonuses are merely a symptom of a deeper erosion of societal values and the new maxims that have overtaken us: Greed is Good and It's All About Me. Those values wreak havoc on economies, cultures, families, and our very souls.

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