A Seat at the Table

 

This is the fifth installment in our six-week visual series on exploring what God’s love looks like when we live it out in our world. If you’re just joining us, you can begin with the first installment here.

Today, try to reach out to someone who disagrees with your politics. Schedule a time to get together for lunch or coffee. As you prepare to meet, ask God to give you the grace to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

Jon Carlson serves as Lead Pastor of Forest Hills Mennonite Church outside of Lancaster, PA. Jon and his wife, Lyn, are raising three kids who seem to have endless supplies of energy. Follow on FacebookTwitter, or Instagram.

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Empathy as a Path to Unity (and Change)

On a recent podcast with Brené Brown, (now) President-elect Joe Biden said that the leaders he’s admired over the years are those who lead with empathy and vulnerability.

“Leadership, at its core, in my view, is about being personal … You always put yourself in the other person’s position, and then also to understand where they’re coming from, whether it’s a major foreign leader or a friend who you have a disagreement with.”

“How do we unify the country?” he continued.

Giving Thanks and Thankful Giving

By Greg Paul

Thanksgiving may be the last communal and contemplative annual event in North America.

Most people, whether they’re religious or not, recognize that gratitude is a good thing. And most of us, even in strained circumstances or in the middle of a crisis, can find something to be thankful for.