For years, Congress and elected officials across the country have sidestepped one of the clearest economic problems facing working families: the minimum wage no longer keeps pace with the real cost of living. Today, even full-time work at the federal minimum wage doesn’t pay enough to rent ...
We’re not southern enough to be yes, ma’am or no, sir, but I try to nudge manners into my kids’ daily interactions with strangers. Today, I nudged him when I saw two women cross the parking lot and asked him to open the restaurant door. One of the women was older and one much younger, maybe a grandmother and granddaughter. The younger one smiled at him and said thank you as she walked through. The older one didn’t acknowledge him at all. At the table, my mom called it entitlement, but that didn’t feel right. It’s more that some people grow accustomed to moving through the ...
I came across a salient quote attributed to Nelson Henderson during a recent YMCA conference I attended. It read: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” How are we planting those metaphoric trees to positively affect generations to come? ...
Acouple months ago, one of the stories on Channel 13 News caught my attention. In front of the Des Moines City Council was a group of parents who had something to say. What they told the City Council that there was “nothing to do in Des Moines for kids.” I’m not joking, DES MOINES! The City Council said they would “look into it.” I do hear this same sentiment from time to time from residents about Marshalltown. I don’t agree, let me explain. Growing up on a farm, one thing you never said to mom or dad is that you were bored. Like ever. I learned this the hard way, ...
Many popular Reformed Theologians like John MacArthur and RC Sproul relied on the work of John Calvin in defining the manmade doctrine of “The Sovereignty of God” and concluded that God is in absolute control of everything that happens. In my opinion, traditional Christianity has failed to provide satisfactory answers to questions regarding human suffering and death. Much of what is presented as Christianity today is really “religion,” that is the doctrines and commandments of men. I used Copilot AI to find out more about where this teaching comes from: The idea you’re ...
Perfectionism is a trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks. When healthy, it can be self-motivating and help you overcome adversity and achieve success. When unhealthy, it can be a fast and enduring track to unhappiness. What makes extreme perfectionism so toxic is that while those in its grip desire success, they are most focused on avoiding failure; this leaves a negative orientation. They don’t believe in unconditional love, expecting others’ affection and approval to be dependent on a flawless performance. What causes perfectionism? ...
