Janet's Blog

It's been a while since I've last written a blog. I've been putting it off, maybe because I've been busy with life, but most likely because I've been disturbed by the turmoil in our world right now, so much nasty politics, and so many natural disasters and catastrophic events that always provoke those who can come up with a conspiracy theory for every tragedy. It's maddening, even devastating, to see what is happening in our country and throughout the world. At a time like this, it seems frivolous to write about my simple Christian life in the Nebraska Panhandle. I am sad when I notice how much Christians of any persuasion are misunderstood, mocked, blamed, and even attacked for their very existence. In a nation where our freedom of religion and freedom of speech have always been heralded as two of our most essential freedoms, I don't feel like I am free to say (or write) what I really think about anything of importance. I am frustrated when I realize that t...

It was the day after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, returning abortion regulation to each of the 50 states. Emotions remain strong on both sides of the abortion controversy. In fact, I was surprised to find Facebook posts from two of my friends, one a relative, and the other a former co-worker, each basically stating the same thing: "If your beliefs about abortion don't match mine, you are not worthy to be my friend. Unfriend me on Facebook immediately!"      The interesting thing about this is that these two people, who both claim to be Christian, are on opposite sides of the abortion debate. I did not unfriend either one.  When did people stop trying to truly communicate with each other? When did people stop listening to each others' viewpoints without retaliating viciously? When did things shift in our country, to the point that so many people are unwilling to associate with anyone whose beliefs are different from theirs in any way? In a world where...