One doesn’t have to look far these days to hear vile vitriol spewing from social media, news outlets, politicians, and even our friends. In today’s political climate, we are all quick to insult, mock, belittle, and tear one another apart. Disagreement has turned hostile. Conversations have become arguments, and arguments have become personal attacks. People speak to one another in ways that would have been considered shocking only a few years ago, and much of it has become so normalized that we hardly notice it anymore. The problem is that words are never “just words.” I remember as a child saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Except words do hurt. Scripture speaks repeatedly about the power our words carry and the damage they are capable of causing. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Words build people up or tear them down. They encourage or discourage. They heal or wound. They can strengthen r...
In March, executive orders from governors across the country forced us to stay home, to close schools and churches and to shut down private businesses. Businesses were classified as either "essential" or "non-essential." All businesses deemed "non-essential" were forced to close. This included markets, clothing stores, boutiques, dine-in restaurants, and beauty salons. State parks, city parks, beaches, walking trails, lakes, and other wide open spaces were closed as well. Many people feel that the "social distancing," as it has come to be known, and stay at home executive orders violate their constitutional rights, such as our First Amendment right to freely exercise our religion, our right to peaceably assemble, and that we shall not be deprived of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Some of the people who feel their rights have been violated have decided to exercise their First Amendment right to protest. Some have even chosen...