Guest Commentary

Guest Commentary

Ukrainians: 'We Just Want to Go Home'

The war in Ukraine has resulted in the largest refugee crisis since World War II. The UN Refugee Agency reports that more than seven million Ukrainians have been displaced within their country and an additional seven million displaced across borders. The coming winter will only increase the already vast humanitarian needs, as well.

I Learned How to Be Grateful from Those Who Have So Little

Looking around my hometown of Los Angeles, my heart soars with gratitude. My home is safe, my bills are paid, and I am fortunate to be able to serve my family an ample Thanksgiving meal. And yet, I am fully aware that hundreds of thousands of Angelinos face a constant struggle just to have their basic needs met. My heart especially goes out to the valiant mothers who fight poverty every single day for the sake of their families.

Bringing the Giving Back to Thanksgiving

The stillness of Thanksgiving is followed by the frenetic motion of the pre-Christmas holiday shopping days:  Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and then the unexpected day arrives. It is called Giving Tuesdays. What a refreshing day to follow in the spirit of Thanks-giving.

This Is What Gratitude Does for Others, for God, and for You ...

The recipe for gratitude is simple. Give thanks to God in prayer; say, “Thank you,” to those who extend grace or favor to you; write thank-you notes; keep a gratitude journal; have a weekly family “Thanksgiving meal” where family members extend thanks to one another; incorporate gratitude—instead of complaints or cynicism—into your daily conversation. We have no shortage of reasons and opportunities to express gratitude to God and others. So be intentional in your pursuit to become a grateful person. It will benefit your Creator, your loved ones, and even yourself.

Pray That Truth Wins This Election

On both sides of the political spectrum, there's an overwhelming sentiment that what's happening in our elections isn't fair. As we approach the 2022 election, my most consistent prayer is that, when the election is complete, we will have the sense that it was conducted fairly and openly. If we have that, I believe we have a foundation to move forward. Otherwise, we are in a very difficult place.

Mr. Putin's Speech and the Matter of Moral High Ground in the West

God is long-suffering. His nature is one of love and mercy. Yet, His Word is indivisible. We disobey Him to our certain devastation. We can turn to God in repentance and faith. Now is the time to pray for an outpouring of the Spirit of revival in Christian communities throughout the West. Today is the day for believers, and pastors, in particular, to speak the truth to our generation: If you deny the reality of God, you will soon deny reality.

"Why, God?" 5 Things to Remember When Natural Disasters Hit

It happened in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. It happened in 2011 with the tornado "Super Outbreak". And now we're watching it happen in Texas with Hurricane Harvey. With each natural disaster that has ravaged America's communities, believers and nonbelievers alike have been left asking, "Why, God?".

In the aftermath of disaster and doubt, here are 5 powerful things Beth Ann Baus invites us to remember:

It's the Little Things That Mean so Much

If you have difficulty understanding this great love that God has for you, turn to Isaiah 55:8-9, where we are reminded that our thought processes and God’s are not the same. His are far superior to ours, and we can trust in His knowledge, goodness, and plan for our lives. In the eternal scheme of God’s plans, it would be easy to assume that we don’t matter, but we do. God’s thoughts and ways are not like our thoughts and ways—the great and small matter equally to God.

Remembering 9/11: We Must Honor Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives

I believe it is our collective responsibility to honor the lives of our superheroes and the families that bear sacrificial suffering. We will then remember our superheroes would have given their lives even if for just one. One day, you or I may be that one.

On the Death of Two Arab Journalists in Israel

News this week in Israel included the death of two Arab journalists, in different locations, under different circumstances, and unrelated. But the circumstances, accusations and double standards are glaring and need to be discussed. This week, months after Palestinian Arab-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu-Akleh was killed in Jenin, following a lengthy investigation, Israel has affirmed that she was likely killed by an Israeli bullet.