a different kind of Memorial Day
The memorial I have in mind is not wrapped beautifully in red, white, and blue – or the colors of any other nation’s flag – but, is draped only in the blackness of grief and death. It is not limited by boundaries established by men and their choices, but is limited only by the extent of humanity. It is not to glory in any one people’s way, but to glory in the Lord’s way alone.
A legion of memorials and monuments are to be found across the globe commemorating the death of soldiers from every nation. But where are the monuments, the days, the parades, etc. in remembrance of the civilians who died? They are not nearly so prevalent or prominent, are they? One can only wonder why. After all, civilian deaths typically far outnumber military deaths in any war.
A Pacifist’s Prayer on Memorial Day
May we be people who lay down our pacifistic pride, and follow the model of our Savior by stretching out our arms as a gesture of love, openness, and hospitality. Never condoning violence but always choosing forgiveness and reconciliation in spite of it. In this way, may our God of peace, Jesus Christ, receive all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise.
I don’t know how to say the phrase “Happy Memorial Day” anymore. It’s just not a happy holiday.
We can work or barbecue or vacation or play in gratitude for what others have done, sure.
But at what cost.
I KNOW you’re good, Father. What I DON’T understand is why that goodness doesn’t act like I think it should act.
Ten Years Later, Why Gay Marriage Is Winning
Fast-forward to 2014, and the cultural and legal landscape could hardly be more different. Today, 19 states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, and federal courts have struck down bans in 11 more states. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages after ditching a central portion of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act last year, and 44 percent of Americans now live in states that allow same-sex marriage.
Hey Bible Belt believer: Why do YOU persecute atheists?
I just wish CNN had considered that there might be another perspective. This “survival guide” assumes that the atheists’ assumptions are based in fact. Maybe they are. Maybe not. Or maybe, like a lot of things in life, the truth is complicated.
What’s missing from this story? Any real context or feedback from believers in the Bible Belt on how they actually view atheists.
30+ Examples of Christian Privilege
Following is a list of privileges granted to people in the U.S. (and many western nations) for being Christian. If you identify as Christian, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought about these things. In response to the ever-increasing “War on Christianity” headlines, I thought it prudent to create this list. Try and be more cognizant of these items and you’ll start to realize how much work we have to do to make the United States a place that is truly safe and accessible for folks of all belief systems.
Part of his case is to show that previous scholars have tended to work with only two “onomastic” categories: “Christ” in Paul is either a “title” (having strong connotative emphasis, as “messiah”) or a “name” (merely designating Jesus). Novenson cogently contends that there is a third category to consider, however: appellatives used as “honorifics,” i.e., a term so closely and particularly attached to an individual that it alone can designate that person, yet still carrying its connotation. As well-known examples, he cites “Augustus” (for Octavian), “Epiphanes” (for Antiochus IV), and Judas “Maccabee”. This seems to me a breakthrough of sorts beyond the philological impasse that has plagued Pauline scholarship.
Four Wrong Turns On The Road To Performancism
As a card-carrying member of this generation, I say that we have some very important decisions to make. Can this trend towards performancism be reversed? Can we spend “our turn” stewarding our ministries in such a way that orients the worship of the church more strongly towards the glory of God in Jesus Christ and away from the performance of the people on stage?
It’s important to know the wrong turns that have led much of the evangelical worship world to where it is today: embracing a trend of performancism in worship.
This Necklace Fakes a Phone Call to Help Women Escape Unwanted Attention
The Guardian Angel is part of a small but growing trend in wearable technology that’s dedicated to keeping women safe and connected when traveling alone. I’ve written about the fully funded Indiegogo project for the First Sign Hair Clip, an accessory that connects with your phone to collect sound and photo evidence and notify first responders in the case of a violent attack. I also profiled Cuff, a company that provides a line of nine trendy accessories to which you can attach a small tracking device that pings people with your location during times of need. The Guardian Angel strikes a nice balance between the two: It’s not so tricked out that it will detect a violent attack for you (like the First Sign Hair Clip), but it does more than Cuff to preemptively intervene in a situation before it becomes dangerous.
Kim Alexis is the draw, but Dalmatian steals the show at PetAid Colorado Mutts & Models
Guilty — a perfect name, considering the situation — is a handsome Dalmatian who was recruited to walk the Mutts & Models runway with Matt Horton, a firefighter with the Longmont department. They had paused the end of the runway and just turned to head back when Guilty, who had been referred to PetAid Colorado during the 9PetCheck, decided it was as good a time as any to answer nature’s call.
So he did.
To a roar of laughter and thunderous applause.