Sometimes it hurts to look back, but we have to. Because the world we live in today did not just happen. It was shaped by choices—by conquest, by greed, by stolen land, by stolen people, and by generations of pain that were never fully repaired. When Europeans came to the Americas, they did not find empty land waiting to be…
Its Legacy in Race Relations and Partisan Politics When Europeans came to the Americas in the 1400s and 1500s, they did more than explore new land. They claimed land that was already home to Indigenous people, built colonies, forced people into labor, and created systems of power that favored Europeans. Even though this happened hundreds of years ago, the effects…
How the country’s founding language became a mirror for its deepest contradictions. I remember how those words first reached me—not as an argument, but as a reassurance. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” sounded like a guarantee, a simple statement about what America was and what it offered to everyone. That is how many people encounter them: in classrooms,…
Reflecting on God’s Story and the Risks of Erasing the Past History as “His-story”: The Bible’s Perspective When the Bible talks about history, it doesn’t just mean facts and dates. It’s presenting history as “His-story”—a story guided by God, moving on purpose from Creation to the end times. This isn’t just a random series of events. According to Scripture, God is actively involved, shaping history to…
A Simple Reflection on Freedom, Justice, and 1 Peter 3:15 Looking Back and Moving Forward on Civil Rights Today, as we mark an annual day dedicated to civil rights, it’s a good time to think about the State of the Union—where our country stands and how far we’ve come in the fight for freedom and equality. These are freedoms that Christ gave His life for,…
From the era of slavery through the Civil Rights movement, and continuing into the present, American history has been marked not only by political struggles for justice and equality but also by a profound spiritual battle underlying these events. The fight for freedom and civil rights was more than a clash between individuals or groups—it echoed a deeper conflict against…
A Reflection on Deep and Enduring Influences Introduction Race and religion have long intertwined to shape the political, social, and moral fabric of the United States. From the earliest days of colonization to the modern political landscape, these forces have not only influenced outcomes but have also defined the nation’s identity. While race has frequently been the central axis of…
Why Listening to God Means Doing What He Says Let’s keep it simple: When God speaks, it’s not just for us to sit around and chat about it. He’s not throwing out ideas for debate or giving us advice to consider. Every time God says something, He expects us to act. God doesn’t make suggestions—He gives commands. So, if you…
Understanding Our History—and Our Choices—In Simple Terms America is a country built on big ideas—freedom, equality, opportunity. But if we look closely at our history, we see that it’s also a country shaped by contradiction. On one hand, the United States has a long history of racism: systems and attitudes that have kept people apart, or put some people above…
