2/19/17 Update

Trump and Truth

A lengthy but well-thought out piece from a mostly libertarian leaning (I think) friend. Lots of quotes to chew on here.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b-RMrhYS2kCuj_VImXgBcPcsV1PTB1-vInTXXPKwUkM/edit


Education/Mentoring Sites

Thanks to Karen Andrews for some excellent referrals.

http://rochesterareavolunteeradministrators.webs.com/


But I Didn't Mean to Be Racist

Excellent commentary here, especially for when we can be oblivious to the real impact of our words and deeds.

"To be honest, it doesn’t really matter whether you think you are racist. What matters is whether your words or actions caused harm."

https://www.fathommag.com/stories/but-i-didnt-mean-to-be-racist?utm_content=buffer2b72c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


More on Compassion, Poverty and Homelessness

www.bruderhof.com/en/voices-blog/following-jesus/sidewalk-samaritan-learning-compassion

http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/february/when-coffee-isnt-enough-reflecting-on-relationships-gospel-.html

"The fallacy in this is that we assume the other person likes what we like. What Heather needed most was someone to listen to her and to hear her story. She needed someone to acknowledge her and offer her hope that the future, despite what appears at present, can be bright. On the practical level, she needed money for a down payment. But how often are we so eager to do a good deed in a way that doesn’t infringe on our daily life that we do more harm than good?"

Most importantly, 
"... the gospel is only truly given when we stop long enough to see the person in front of us.

Who is he/she?

What is his/her story?

What does he/she long for?

Where does he/she hurt?

And of course, what is God calling me to do?

Evangelicals Getting More Involved in Their Communities

This one resonates with me. In many local responses to issues like affordable housing, public schools, etc., I see too few evangelicals represented in activities that have powerful effects on our communities, even though I know they are "out there" working at ways to alleviate hunger, bring compassion and care, etc. Their lack of involvement in many of these efforts just seems to reinforce the incorrect stereotype that all "conservative Christians" are not living out the love of Christ.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2017/march/8-reasons-churches-partner-secular-community-groups.html?paging=off