And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:13
by Steve Golden — In early July, The New York Times smeared churches across the country as veritable petri dishes of COVID-19, calling them a “major source” of infections (the paper has since revised the headline to remove that language). The article claimed that churches’ propensity for “speaking loudly” and “singing” has led to numerous... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — In light of the statewide mask mandate put forth by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (rejected by 90 out of 105 counties) and the subsequent adoption of a modified version by my home county of Shawnee—complete with a 311 line to rat out your neighbors and a $2500.00 fine attached for not... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — Two new states—Oregon and my home state of Kansas—joined the new COVID-19 restriction trend by mandating that people wear masks in public. There’s been no small amount of controversy over coronavirus-related restrictions, and masks are no exception. Questions about whether they really work, what kinds are more effective, and whether they... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — I recently listened to a sermon at a California church where the teacher made the case for why his church would not be reopening for the present. In the course of making several good points, he noted repeatedly that numerous California clergy had announced their intention to reopen on May 31... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — We’re in the middle of a crisis, and I don't mean COVID-19 or widespread riots. For the last two months, millions of Americans have been forced out of work, out of their livelihoods, away from their friends, and into their homes. Early in the shutdowns, social media was filled with jokes... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — For many, Memorial Day weekend was a breath of fresh air. Beaches and lakes were open, and humans did what humans were made to do—we flocked to gatherings and enjoyed fellowship with other people. But in the age of COVID-19, a handshake or a hug is followed by furtive glances to... Continue Reading →
by Mike Halpin — Fear grows like a creeping weed across our landscape. Fear has been sown like seed, fertilized like grass, watered and encouraged in every way possible, 24/7 in our online age. Fear has been sown by government and media, by national and foreign powers, by men and women, doctors and nurses, friends... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — Life has changed rapidly as stay-at-home orders have swept the nation, and no one has been unaffected. As these orders first appeared, Americans got behind them to “flatten the curve,” even as extension after extension has been announced, with one state governor pre-emptively pushing the expiration date on his state’s stay-home... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson, Jr. — It is a strange new world. For many of us, working from home and fully online education has become the new normal. Routine gatherings have been cancelled, and major events have been postponed until further notice. “Social distancing,” an essentially unused term prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, is now... Continue Reading →
by Steve Golden — Many of us have grown up in a culture where our careers define our lives. Often, men and women wear 70- to 80-hour workweeks as a badge of honor, allowing work to usurp church and family time. In my time working in Christian ministries, I had several bosses and co-workers who... Continue Reading →
Applied Heart 