I remember going to church on July 4th (or dates near July 4th) as a child and seeing red, white, and blue flowers around the pulpit. We’d sing hymns like “America the Beautiful” and “My Country, 'Tis of Thee.” This was so normal to me that it didn’t stand out until about 15 years ago when I spent a July 4th in Brazil. There were no red, … [Read more...] about How Freedom in Christ Differs from Freedom in America
civic involvement
How to Have Respectful Discussions About Differences
When someone shares an opinion, it’s not uncommon for individuals who hold differing opinions to view the sharing as a personal attack. I think sometimes this is because people are too sensitive; they need to realize that not everything is personal. However, many individuals may assume it’s a personal attack because they’ve experienced attacks … [Read more...] about How to Have Respectful Discussions About Differences
Dare to Prepare: Why You Really Should Say Something If You See Something
“If you see something, say something” is a common safety motto across the U.S. The phrase was developed on September 12, 2001 by advertising executive Allen Kay (source). A few months later, when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in NYC needed a safety slogan, he passed it on to them. Since that time, law enforcement agencies and … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: Why You Really Should Say Something If You See Something
Avoiding Discouragement in Our Volatile Political Climate
We get so carried away with red, white, and blue desserts, parades, picnics, and fireworks that it’s easy to forget that the 4th of July isn’t just a day for relaxing. It’s Independence Day—a day for celebrating our nation’s history, namely our independence from the British Empire. When I look at the political section of the news these … [Read more...] about Avoiding Discouragement in Our Volatile Political Climate
Seeing People, Not Problems
My church had a speaker in a few weeks ago who addressed the topic of diversity. When my husband and I heard that this was going to be the topic of discussion, we began trying to guess what he would say. To be honest, we weren’t all that excited to hear him speak. Because we are a mixed-race family, candid discussions on race and … [Read more...] about Seeing People, Not Problems
7 Resources to Help You Get to Know Your Neighbors
Since moving into our current house, my husband and I have been intentional about getting to know our neighbors. We feel that our efforts have plateaued recently. We’ve learned the names of all of the folks who live in the houses around us and we know a little about them, but where do we go from here? One of my goals for this year is to … [Read more...] about 7 Resources to Help You Get to Know Your Neighbors
8 Reasons To Love Your Local Library
As I’ve used our library system more and more, I’ve realized that it offers a lot for community members. We can check out books, of course, but lending books is just one of the services it provides. I recently learned that many libraries celebrate a “love your library” week or month during February to coincide with Valentine’s Day. … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons To Love Your Local Library
7 Things Christians Can Do To Promote Racial Unity
The Bible is clear that all mankind is made in the image of God and that He shows no partiality towards people of any race (Genesis 1:27, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:9-11). Despite this and years of hard work by individuals promoting unity and equality, there is still a lot of racial discord in our nation. As we pause today to celebrate the … [Read more...] about 7 Things Christians Can Do To Promote Racial Unity
