Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 Recently I had an opportunity to talk to a group of kids about the idea of ethical consumption. Of course I didn’t call it ethical consumption because that would continue reading »
For many the word, ‘trafficking’, is still undefined. Often we may think of someone who lives in another country or speaks another language but the truth is trafficking and exploitation of women and girls happens here in the United States, and has been for longer than we might think. In 1968 a white, America girl was trafficked inmid-west continue reading »
There seems to be two camps on New Year’s resolutions. One, – yes let’s make them. Camp twois a no. Camp one says we should make resolutions to change, grow, be different. Lose weight, read books, mend fences etc. But the nay sayers, if social media is any indicator, seem to be a growing group continue reading »
Only two more shopping days…. So for those of you who have had your Christmas shopping done since before Thanksgiving, who’ve wrapped all your gifts, made all your food and checked all your lists – I will try not to hate you. The rest of us know what it’s like out there. The scarcity of continue reading »
Americans are very into Christmas. We really love celebrating this time of year! In 2013, consumers in the U.S. spent about $730 during the holiday season, for a grand total of about $602 billion when all is said and done between gifts, entertaining, traveling and decorating. To put that number in perspective, the annual GDP continue reading »
I love the Christmas season! I love driving around with my girls and exclaiming at the lights. I love baking (and eating!) Christmas cookies. I love the colors, the smells (thank you Yankee Candle for somehow capturing so many) and the anticipation that comes with this time of year. I love the homemade Christmas ornaments continue reading »
As a Mom of two young girls I am humbled by how often my kids are the ones teaching me. Today was no exception. As my six year old and I were driving she declared we would play the “Thankful Game”. Although I could fairly easily determine the rules of this heretofore unexperienced game she continue reading »
6 Things I Wish My Church Had Told Me about Domestic Violence 1. It happens. According to the Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv-nisvs-factsheet-v5-a.pdf), 33% of women and 28% of men will experience some form of physical violence at the hands of a partner during their lifetime. Domestic Violence is an epidemic that thrives in silence continue reading »
We’ve talked about incremental change quite a bit here on the BFJN blog—the power of starting with small lifestyle shifts to live more simply and buy more justly. But lately I’ve been thinking more about big transformations, following on Jesus’ call to a young, rich, and powerful man (in the book of Matthew, chapter 19) continue reading »
As the weather turns cooler, the leaves change color, coffee shops break out the pumpkin flavored drinks and other markers of fall pop up the holiday season looms large on the horizon. First among them being Halloween. This holiday has a lot to recommend it. Costumes, parties, socializing with neighbors and strangers and of course continue reading »
