The Nearness of History: My Grandfather and the Ghosts of the Civil War

2025/04/14 Gayle 0

I love history, but for some history can feel like a dusty shelf—distant, sepia-toned, cordoned off from our lives by textbooks and grainy black-and-white photos. But every so often, a story, a date, or a person cracks open time and reminds us just how close history truly is. For me, it’s this: My grandfather, Ferdinand Green McKenzie, was born on May 14, 1873 (yes, 152 years ago today). That’s just eight years and one month after President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Let that sit with you for a minute. Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, and died the next morning. The Civil War had ended less than a week earlier. America was torn and traumatized. And in less time than it takes to complete The rest of the story

God’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Divine Vision for Humanity

2025/03/19 Gayle 0

I have been thinking a great deal about DEI or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I served for several years on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team for New Hanover County Schools. It was enlightening and challenging work that was also incredibly rewarding! However, in today’s world, conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can be polarizing. Some, like me, embrace these principles as fundamental to justice and community, while others view them with skepticism, seeing them as politically charged buzzwords. Yet, long before DEI became part of corporate or social frameworks, they were already embedded in the character of God and the mission of the Church. The biblical narrative reveals a God who creates diversity, commands justice, and invites all people into divine love and The rest of the story

A Shift In The Spiritual Landscape

2025/02/27 Gayle 0

Recent studies reveal a significant shift in the spiritual landscape of the United States. While traditional religious affiliation has seen a decline, spirituality remains a vital aspect of many Americans’ lives. A Pew Research Center survey indicates that 86% of U.S. adults believe in the existence of a soul or spirit, 83% believe in God or a universal spirit, and 79% believe in something beyond the natural world. These statistics suggest that while organized religion may be waning, the quest for spiritual meaning persists. The Essence of Spirituality: Love At its core, spirituality is often intertwined with the concept of love—love for oneself, others, and the universe. This love transcends doctrinal boundaries and focuses on genuine connections and compassion. However, there’s a growing sentiment that The rest of the story

Share a Little Love

2025/02/14 Gayle 0

Valentine’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, a day dedicated to expressions of love and affection. While often associated with romantic love, this day is an opportunity to reflect on the many ways love is present in our lives—love for family, friends, community, and even our pets. Love is not confined to one relationship or one type of expression; it is an expansive, divine gift woven into the very fabric of human existence. But how did Valentine’s Day come to be? And why is love such a central part of our spiritual and theological understanding? Let’s take a journey through history, explore some historical facts, and consider the theological foundations for love in all its forms. The Origins of The rest of the story

Lincoln's Second Inauguration

The Path The World Is On

2025/01/25 Gayle 0

I have always been a fan of history – especially US History. I am drawn especially to two times in US history, the Civil War and World War 2. The first, I think because it happened on the lands where I have lived my life, The South, and I have an ancestor or two who fought in the war – on the wrong side, but that’s another story (although I adore, and always have the idea of being a rebel). I think my mother is the catalyst for my fascination with World War 2. She has vivid memories of being a young child when the war began and of the war effort, I believe it came in her formative years, which indeed formed her. In The rest of the story

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