Nothing To Apologize For

The Baptists, it seems, are a study in individuality. American Baptist Churches is a national body that sets out policies, and local Baptist congregations—like First Baptist Church of Springfield, Oregon—decide for themselves how or whether to follow them. It gets especially interesting around LGBT people and gay marriage. Jeff Savage has pastored his congregation at First Baptist Church of Springfield for 30 years, and through his own venture—Sacred Space Vida—he offers spiritual direction outside of mainstream religion for your unfolding relationship with God. 

Author Linda Atwell has a special daughter with special needs. Loving Lindsay is her chronicle of their complicated mother-daughter relationship, one that is still evolving and teaching her many sometimes unwelcome lessons. Hear Linda share her story and more on Nothing to Apologize For. The book is available on Amazon. For more information about Linda or to read her blog, go to www.lindaatwell.com. 

Chloe Jesperson is one of the most impressive, wisest, cutest, deepest, most faithful, most articulate people on this earth. She also happens to be a Millennial. What's a Millennial? I can give you the dictionary definition—a person reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century—but it's a lot more interesting to hear how one thinks and feels and worships.

Horses sense our emotions and states of mind and reflect them back to us. Missouri Fox Trotters and Andalusians work magic with frightened and angry kids. 

Back in the day—the really old day—we wore open carry revolvers like we wear cell phones today. Today, concealed carry is where it's at. Did you know that anyone with a concealed carry weapon permit undergoes a criminal and mental health background check every 24 hours? What could go wrong? Scott Mogilefsky is a certified concealed carry weapons instructor, and he can tell you. Check out Scott and his classes a www.utahccwtraining.com.                                             . . . . .  Deep thought (and funny video): What would it be like if we all had a concealed weapon permit?    

Lindsay Page is a walking talking miracle. She was diagnosed with angiosarcoma three years ago and, wisely, did not Google it. This form of cancer is so rare that only 50 people a year in the US are diagnosed with it, and the prognosis is very poor—well under three years. But that's just one of the many miracles Lindsay has experienced in her unbelievably arduous battle to, as she says, stay for her kids. Never bitter, always faithful to God and family, Lindsay is a rare and beautiful soul.

How does a girl get from Paraguay, where her father is an icon in the leprosy healing community, to a Ph.D teaching business on the faculties of American universities, to a spiritual seeker? Very dramatically. And that's not even the half of it. 

Did you know that Israel found a way to get water from the Negev Desert? Are you listening, California? (Actually, they are.) #desalination

We're having a moment, we women. There's safety in numbers, there's belief in numbers, and women who have remained silent for decades are coming forward with accusations of sexual abuse. No one can judge a woman for how she responds to sexual harassment or assault, but can we learn anything from the Lauren Bacalls and Katherine Hepburns of the world?

Twenty years ago, Dave Rosenberg was a Naval Flight Officer flying F-14’s off the deck of the USS Independence. His biggest challenge didn’t come in the cockpit, but rather as a leader of personnel.  Keeping morale up while at sea for 111 days in preparation for Desert Storm was no easy task. Today Dave works with business owners to develop their own best leadership practices. For more info: http://www.lockedonleadership.com/.  

Is it possible to be Christian and gay at the same time? Corporate attorney turned author Brian Peyton Joyner says it is. Raised devout Southern Baptist, he has quite the story to tell. His debut novel The Wisdom of Stones is semi-autobiographical and available on Amazon. For more info: https://brianpeytonjoyner.com/.

Donald Trump halted funding for a teen pregnancy prevention program that appeared to be worthless--was it? What do teenage girls ask when they feel safe? "Can I get pregnant from anal sex?"

Is Affirmative Action so last century? Who really needs it anymore? Where and why do they need it? Alex from Ypsilanti has a bone to pick with the 'ol Affirmative Action.