GOD SIGHTINGS: OUR BLOG

Juneteenth—short for "June Nineteenth"—is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery. It marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The holiday is deeply rooted in history, symbolizing both a delayed triumph and the ongoing journey toward true equality. Click here to read a history of Jun

In commemoration of National Loving Day, this article highlights the history and evolution of interracial relationships in America since the landmark 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia. Through a series of personal interviews, multiracial Americans share their unique, often challenging childhood experiences with identity, exclusion, and systemic racism. Ultimately, the piece reflects on how navigating these diverse backgrounds has fostered deep empathy, a stronger

Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs rejects traditional walls to worship entirely outdoors beneath a canopy of oak trees. Led by the Rev. Candice Combs, this "inside-out" congregation fosters a deeply authentic community by connecting directly with creation, utilizing rustic limestone elements, and welcoming everyone—including roaming children and family dogs. Embracing the freedom from physical upkeep, the church is expanding its 1

Many people are experiencing a profound sense of "moral fatigue," a deep exhaustion that comes from sustained efforts to do the right thing, advocate for justice, and lead with integrity in a resistant world. Drawing on biblical wisdom from Galatians and the Psalms, this piece reminds us that while our compassion may sometimes exceed our capacity, we must allow ourselves to rest and rely on community without giving up. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful call to protect our s

"Find Love" by Emma Ceurvels is a heartfelt song written by a mother for her children, offering a message of hope and kindness as a way to overcome darkness in a broken and divided world.

While planting a spring garden with his young granddaughter, the author reflects on the cycle of growth as a profound act of faith and a connection to his ancestral roots. Surrounded by blooming tulips and familiar hymns, he finds in the changing season a spiritual renewal that offers clarity on legacy, hope, and the opportunity to correct past regrets. This quiet morning in the dirt serves as a powerful reminder that, despite global chaos, the constancy of nature and faith p

Makom Shalom is a growing "forest synagogue" in Northern California that integrates Jewish tradition with environmentalism by holding services in redwood groves rather than traditional buildings. Led by Rabbi Zelig Golden, the nondenominational congregation emphasizes an "earth-based" Judaism that connects ancestral roots with nature, attracting members through outdoor rituals and a focus on ecological mindfulness. Click here to read the full article. This article was publish

Even when the world is on fire, hope has a way of sprouting through the ashes like a stubborn tulip in the cracks of a ruin. It turns out that celebrating resurrection isn’t about pretending the trauma isn't there, but about trusting that the "way-making" Spirit meets us in the shadows of Holy Saturday and carries our scars into the light. Finding God today doesn't require a life of perfect sunshine; it just requires a heart willing to notice the defiant beauty that keeps bur