Category: Life Lessons
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Truth and Brightness: Telling the Whole Story of America
Recently, President Trump criticized the Smithsonian museums for putting “too much emphasis” on slavery and not enough on the brightness of America. His words made me pause, because they touch on something I’ve wrestled with for a long time. When I was in school, we were never really taught the full ugliness of slavery or…
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Becoming a Bridge Builder in Springfield, Missouri
In a time when America feels increasingly divided, it’s tempting to think that the only choices are to take sides or to withdraw altogether. But I believe there is another path—one that we can walk right here in Springfield, Missouri. It’s the path of being a bridge builder. At its heart, bridge building means working…
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Selfless Love
Selfless love is at the heart of discipleship and spiritual growth. Here’s how it is often understood: 1. Rooted in Christ’s Example Jesus embodied agapē love — the Greek word for unconditional, sacrificial love. He reached out to the marginalized, forgave enemies, healed the sick, and gave himself fully for others without asking what he…
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Silence and Solitude
The Christian disciplines of silence and solitude are ancient spiritual practices that have been central to Christian spiritual formation since the early Church. They are not merely about being alone or quiet but are deeply intentional disciplines that foster intimacy with God, deepen self-awareness, and cultivate spiritual maturity. 1. What Is Silence in the Christian…
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No Weekend War
The News reports are depressing. The pictures of children starving in Gaza are inhumane. The destruction of property and the killing of innocent people in Ukraine and Gaza due to war are inexcusable. The establishment of a whites-only community in Missouri is disgusting. The flood deaths in Texas are beyond belief. The number of senior…
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Religious Lace and Pious Talk
How should I respond to the words and actions of our current resident in the White House, Donald Trump? How should i react to those who support him and do not see the damage that is being done? This raises other issues, such as how to react when someone disagrees with what I say or…
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Suppressing the Truth
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.[i] 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see…
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God Still Speaks Into Chaos
Chaos is not just a scientific theory. It is something we all experience. I’ve lived through seasons when life seemed to fall apart. The death of my father when I was fourteen. The stillbirth of Amanda Joy. The divorce. Hurricane Katrina. Losing jobs. Starting over more than once. Every one of those moments felt like…
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Life is Sacred
The seven sacred teachings of Native Americans can teach us a great deal about the universe we live in. We live in a world that likes to classify, sort, and separate us. We have decided that some things are more valuable than others. We consider that some people deserve respect more than others. We have…
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Trees and Diversity
Growing up on a farm in rural Mississippi before houses were air-conditioned, the two huge oak trees in the front yard provided shade and cool breezes on hot and humid days. After a morning in the fields, we had lunch in the shade. In the evenings, we sat on the porch and listened to sounds…
The Curious Pilgrim 