The reality on the U.S. southern border is unsustainable. News reports conflict as to “why” but everyone agrees that people must be treated with dignity and the system is failing.  I continue to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform but Congress seems unlikely to move on that agenda. Facilities are totally overwhelmed and we are asking Customs and Border Patrol agents to do humanitarian work they were not hired to do. Churches and other ministries are doing what they can on both sides of the border but compassion fatigue is likely to set in as people continue to arrive and every bed is already full. Ministries in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico are also doing all they can but the generational and systemic issues creating the migrant crisis cannot be transformed over night. As you read about clergy mobilizing to support migrants and faith groups fearing the end of refugee resettlement in the U.S. consider listening again to the programs we’ve done on this topic and engaging as God so leads.

Last week we anticipated the U.S. State Department’s second International Religious Freedom Ministerial. Read the testimonies of 13 survivors of religious persecution around the world and the U.S. plan to continue to lead the charge for religious liberty around the world. 

By now you’ve likely heard that Planned Parenthood ousted Dr. Leana Wen from the role of President for failure to align with the Board’s aggressive political agenda. Today’s Breakpoint from The Colson Center is a good round up of the story as well as an excellent call to prayer.

Other news on the pro-life front comes from Canada were physician assisted suicide moved very quickly to active euthanasia and is on the rise year over year since legalization in 2016. Euthanasia – not physician assisted death but the actual taking of the life of the patient by the doctor – is not normalized as part of the nation’s single-payer government healthcare system. In a report out of Ontario, doctors killed more than 700 people in the first half of 2019.  Of the 3303 reported cases, the average age was 74 and the youngest person was 22.  Listen again to my conversation with Joni Eareckson Tada on the question of when is it right to die?

As you consider the culture you are called to till and the generations among whom you are called to spread the seed of God’s Word that He might have a harvest of righteousness, what do you know (or think you know) about Millennials? First, no generation is monolithic and its not fair to characterize them as such. There are authentic Christians who are also Millennials. Thank God! There are also many individuals in the millennial generation who have left the faith of their parents and grandparents. This story is about them: How Millennials replaced religion with astrology and crystals

On Gratitude is and interesting essay on what it means to be grateful and how your worldview affects your answer. As you read it, ask yourself: does the writer seem to understand gratitude from a Biblical worldview? How does my understanding of who God is affect my own sense of gratitude and my expectations of how others will respond to my acts of generosity or grace? This article is an excellent conversation starter with people who may disagree with you because it provides a story that can be investigated together: how would you respond? how do you feel when…? why? 

Think of all of Hollywood is lost? Read this: Actor Mark Wahlberg’s deep faith.

Now, what’s your favorite hymn of all time?  (Spoiler: survey says Holy, Holy, Holy) This story reminded me of the times I’ve talked with people like Keith Getty or Plumb or Bart Millard or Ellie Holcomb about singing and faith.