Category: Country

God Gives Wisdom to the Simple: Why Childhood Immunization Still Matters

An Easy-to-Understand Perspective on Recent Changes to Vaccine Funding Sometimes in life, we might think wisdom is just for the experts, the powerful, or those with fancy degrees. But throughout history, and especially in the teachings of many faiths, there’s this comforting idea: God gives wisdom to everyone, even to those who might seem “simple” or ordinary. In other words,…

Seeing Each Other Through God’s Eyes: A Simple Reflection on Acts 17:26 

Understanding Spiritual Blindness and Our Shared Unity  Sometimes in life, certain words stick with us, echoing quietly in the back of our minds. One verse that stands out in this way is Acts 17:26. It tells us, in plain language, that God made every nation of people from one blood so that we could all live on this earth together.…

A Reflection on Darkness Covering the Earth

Finding Hope When Shadows Fall  We all know what it feels like when darkness seems to settle over our world. Isaiah 60:2 paints a vivid picture: “For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.” It’s an ancient line, but the feeling it describes…

The Misuse of the Bible in Justifying Manifest Destiny

Understanding What the Bible Says About Humanity and How It Was Misused in History “ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26) When we read Acts 17:26, it tells us something powerful: “God made from one…

Understanding Ethnocentrism: Seeing Beyond Our Own Culture 

A Layman’s Guide to Ethnocentrism and Why It Matters  What Is Ethnocentrism?  Imagine this: you travel to a faraway country and suddenly find yourself surrounded by customs and traditions you’ve never seen before. Maybe people greet each other with a bow instead of a handshake, eat foods that look unfamiliar, or celebrate holidays you’ve never heard of. Your natural instinct…

Understanding Power and “Otherness”: Lessons from the Spanish Conquest to Modern Christian Nationalism 

How History Repeats Itself in Beliefs and Politics  Sometimes, to really understand what’s happening in today’s world, it helps to look back at history and see the patterns that repeat themselves. By comparing the Spanish conquest of the Americas centuries ago to certain modern political movements—like conservative rights beliefs and Christian nationalism—we can learn a lot about how people justify…

Understanding Christian Nationalism: A Layman’s Reflection 

Why the Merging of Faith and National Identity Demands Honest Conversation in the Church  As a Christian minister, a writer, and a blogger, I have devoted my life to exploring what it truly means to follow Jesus—digging into the riches of faith, grace, mercy, justice, and the ongoing journey of living as a believer in an ever-changing world. In these…

Revisiting Historical Narratives: Interpretation, Memory, and the Conquest of America

Understanding the Past Through New Eyes Introduction History isn’t just a collection of dates and old stories—it’s the way we make sense of how the world became what it is today. The way we tell those stories matters. For centuries, the story of the conquest of America has been taught and remembered from a single perspective: that of the European…

Why Words Matter: Standing Against Cruelty and Hate 

Reflecting on the Power of Our Speech and the Need for Respect  There’s a simple truth in life: our words can build up or tear down. In the Bible, James 3:9-10 emphasizes an important lesson. We use the same tongue to praise God. Yet, we also curse people who are made in God’s image. That’s not the way it’s supposed…