Making big news over the weekend was the White House Correspondents Dinner and the speech that comedian Michelle Wolf gave. While some found the speech humorous, there has been much commentary over some of the controversial things she said. Those controversial things were mostly directed at certain people in the current Presidential administration. We all will find disagreement with various people, and various leaders, throughout our lives, but when we treat them with rudenes

Happy #ElevatedFriday! Today we highlight the inspiring story of how one woman’s Facebook post helped a disabled man find work. Brisbane, Australia native Mathew Magrath moved to Mackay to be closer to family and has had a very difficult time finding work. The 33-year old is confined to a wheelchair from an unfortunate accident 14 years ago and has seen his wheelchair change the way people view him, as well as his employability. What it hasn’t changed is his desire to work ha

On any given day in the news, someone’s name and reputation is being dragged through the mud – sometimes for just cause and other times not. It is a powerful reminder that until Jesus comes again, in this world there will always be temptations, consequences, trials, and strife. God has a plan for each of us and knows each and every one of the days we will live. He knows both our good days and bad days and the decisions we will make within them. But He is faithful to us, full

With French President Macron’s visit to the United States being widely covered this week, it seems a good time to talk about hospitality. In his day, Jesus travelled far and wide and received many different welcomes upon his arrivals. He is uniquely qualified to speak to how we should welcome each other! At a dinner party, Jesus said, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, t

Today, through the use of social media, opinions can fly around the world in the time it takes to hit the “Enter” button on your keyboard. We have all felt the brunt end of undue or overly cruel criticism at some point in our lives, even when we felt justified for what we did but others did not agree. One of the most powerful facets of Jesus is that he was fully human as well as fully God, and as a result of his human-ness, he truly felt the harsh stings of public scorn and d

On Sunday, a man opened fire in a Waffle House near Nashville, Tennessee, tragically taking the life of four people. However, because of the bravery of one man, James Shaw Jr., the shooter was tackled and his rampage stopped. Such bravery in the face of such evil is something few people on earth have. Where does this kind of courage come from? The kind that values others over self? It comes from God. In Deuteronomy, God tells us, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear no

Happy #ElevatedFriday! Today we highlight a story of a man who stepped up to help a mother in need of assistance. Jessica Rudeen was flying alone with her 4-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter and was struggling to attend to both of their needs at the same time. After being seated on the plane, both children began to act up – as children often do! Unable to both breastfeed her youngest and entertain her oldest, Rudeen became very anxious over what would happen during the fl

Tuesday evening, America lost an icon in former First Lady Barbara Bush. Well respected on both sides of the political aisle, Mrs. Bush lived a life of consequence and faith. A few years ago, she said in an interview, “I’m a huge believer in a loving God. George and I pray together every night, outloud. And sometimes we fight over whose turn it is! I have no fear of death, which is a huge comfort…because I know there is a great God and I’m not worried.” Such faith in the face

As Tax Day 2018 has now come and gone, many of us have been thinking about our money for the last few weeks. The Bible mentions money many times because when God is not the number one priority in our lives, money typically takes that place. Jesus was famously questioned about taxes by the Pharisees in an attempt to trap him into speaking heresy. However, Jesus famously answered them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” This is the perfect answer,

Sunday night the former FBI Director James Comey gave a much heralded interview in which he gave his account and perspective of his time working for President Obama and Trump, and the days since. Many would consider the past few years to have been fairly tumultuous, especially from a political perspective. But just like Comey, or any other public servant or politician, we all will see difficult days, trials that seem insurmountable, and temptations that promise us prosperity