Politics, Moderate
/Politics
Be Gracious to Those in Need
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, which found that over 770,000 people were unhoused in January of last year. This accounts for a disturbing 23% increase for those without permanent residence since 2023. Migration and natural disasters were cited as main ...Read more
Beginning 2025 on a Firm Foundation
Just before New Year's Eve, a Gallup poll survey headline accurately captured the feelings of many people in our nation: "Americans Predict Challenges in 2025, With a Few Bright Spots." The top concerns were unsurprising, including anxiousness about the economy and a growing budget deficit, intensified partisan conflict and more global disputes....Read more
'Mufasa: The Lion King' Offers Resonant Story of Jealousy and Betrayal
In anticipation of the December release of "Mufasa: The Lion King," I eagerly watched every trailer posted on YouTube. I was excited to finally examine Disney's revelation of Mufasa and Scar's backstory, and I was not disappointed. The computer animation in "Mufasa" is much better than the photorealistic depiction of the animals in the 2019 "...Read more
In the Wake of Tragedy, Lean on Faith
As the Madison, Wisconsin, community reels from the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, pictures of grief and mourning despondently tell the story of this tragedy's aftermath. I viewed the recent online collage of photos on CNN's website that showed students and parents holding candles at an evening vigil, a distraught police ...Read more
Churches Must Unite Across Racial Lines
One of the most encouraging stories of racial reconciliation among Southern Christian congregations is taking place in Mobile, Alabama, a port city that is still heavily segregated. The Black and White ministers who have come together to root out longstanding prejudice and simple fear of racial and cultural differences were featured in a ...Read more
Give Ohio State Football Coach Ryan Day His Due
The traditional rivalry week of the college football season unfortunately concluded with some ugly visuals. Brawls broke out at the end of the Ohio State-Michigan game along with fights after wins by Arizona State, Florida and North Carolina State. Attempts by the victorious road teams to plant school flags on their opponents' fields triggered...Read more
Don't Allow Fear to Paralyze You
Chapman University released its 10th consecutive study on fear in America toward the end of October, and the findings this year point to heightened anxiety and worry within the country. With 1,008 participants surveyed, Chapman researchers questioned them "about more than 90 fears and related behaviors." The top five responses were corrupt ...Read more
Reject Narcissism and Selfishness -- Embrace the Golden Rule
I recently read an informative article by NPR's Amy Held that provides advice for talking to children who may be stressed about the presidential election results. Held features an interview with a 37-year-old father who voted for President-elect Donald Trump, but his two older children, 11 and 13, had apprehensive feelings about Trump's victory....Read more
Divine Guidance Is Needed for Our Democracy
On the day after the presidential election, I saw several headlines proclaiming the result of former President Donald Trump's victory as a day of mourning, especially for Black Americans and Black women. On social media, the reactions posted from friends and others equated to being emotionally and physically drained and, in some cases, extremely...Read more
As Election Day Approaches, Trust in the Lord
With Election Day approaching, I was looking at photos on ABC News' website of early voters and people who have attended the closing rallies of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The images of individuals actually depict a sense of joyfulness in the midst of what has been one of the most polarizing presidential races...Read more
Will Artificial Intelligence Lead to Alternate Reality?
When Geoffrey Hinton, popularly known as the "Godfather of AI," won the Nobel Prize in Physics earlier this month, he accepted this premier award in his field with cautious hesitation and probably some regret. Hinton received the Nobel with artificial intelligence researcher John J. Hopfield. Both men's work has provided the blueprint for the AI...Read more
Prioritizing What Matters and Avoiding the Grind
Oct. 10 was World Mental Health Day, and the official theme was: "It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace." I'm sure this theme resonated with Gen Z and younger millennial workers, as mental health has been a priority for them in achieving a good work-life balance. Mental health has in many ways become Gen Z's signature concern...Read more