Varian Fry. Lois Gunden. Roddie Edmonds. Martha & Waitstill Sharp. Five names I hadn't heard before this weekend, but thanks to the Ken Burns film Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War, I learned about one couple's courageous efforts to save Jews during World War 2. Waitstill & Martha Sharp left a comfortable American life to…
What if vs. What is
I recently watched the movie A Hidden Life, based on the story of Franz & Fani Jagerstatter. It's a long, cinematic portrayal of an Austrian man who refused to swear a loyalty oath to Hitler - and the consequences he and his family experienced. The story is a powerful reminder that evil is real, and…
A Burger, Fries, and a New Relationship
I received a letter last month from a woman who had recently begun attending our church. She and her husband felt challenged to reach outside themselves, and befriend someone new. So, one day, they are eating at a local fast food restaurant, and they meet a server there. A conversation starts, and leads to a…