From Ann Voskamp: “There will always be people who see everything in the world as a measuring stick of their worthiness, instead of as a burning bush of God’s gloriousness. If your life looks like a mess – to them — they whip out a measuring stick and feel confident of their own worthiness. If your life looks like a monument – to them — they whip out a measuring stick – and start cutting for their own empowerment.” She leans over and I... Read more

Source: Tacloban, Philippines (CNN) — After laying waste to huge swaths of the Philippines, flattening villages and washing bodies into the water, Typhoon Haiyan is set to bring more devastation to Vietnam. While the massive storm barreled across the South China Sea on Sunday, many Filipinos grappled with devastation like they’ve never seen before. Entire houses leveled to pieces. More than 100 bodies scattered on the streets of one city. Thousands more residents stranded, grieving and hungry. The Philippine Red Cross... Read more

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.... Read more

Source: On Thursday, a man reportedly dressed in body armor ran into a crowded room and opened fire with a high-powered assault-style rifle, killing three and injuring six. But television stations didn’t cut away to report on the horrific event. In fact, it’s likely this is the first you’re hearing about it. What makes this shooting different? Several things. First, it happened in Detroit, a city with a staggeringly high murder rate. Second, the reported gunman had a criminal history, and may have had... Read more

Here’s a graph of where Americans are moving — blue means moving into and brown means moving away from. Read more

From Joy: I’ve had this conversation with so many friends. I am a fixer, but this I cannot fix. So I listen. Some of my friends suffered abuse and mistreatment from parents suffering from severe mental illness. Others were raised by good people who for whatever reason couldn’t or wouldn’t demonstrate affection or approval. Or their parents stopped showing approval when they spread their wings. Other parents couldn’t handle it when a child chose their own path. Still others disown... Read more

The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us about Loving God and Learning from History Robert Tracy McKenzie is professor and chair of history at Wheaton College. He taught for many years at the University of Washington where he was the holder of the Donald W. Logan Endowed Chair in American History. He is the author of One South or Many? Plantation Belt and Upcountry in Civil War-Era Tennessee (Cambridge University Press) and Lincolnites and Rebels: A Divided Town... Read more

Infographic by Digital Philippines Read more

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