Blog Posts

Celebrating Juneteenth—A New Federal Holiday!

Image by breefulmelange from Pixabay

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, recognizing the historical significance of the Juneteenth National Independence Day to the United States and that (1) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future; and (2) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States.

June 19th (or “Juneteenth”) marks the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States—the day slaves in Galveston, Texas, were finally freed from bondage—more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

In celebration of the holiday, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the August 12, 2020 session I co-hosted at NASA on “Mission to Inclusion: Cultivating an Antiracist Workplace”, featuring Professor Ibram Kendi.  To prepare for the session, I picked up Kendi’s book entitled How to Be an Antiracist.

Click here for a summary of Kendi’s book

Happy National Best Friends Day!

In 1935, the U.S. Congress gathered to devote a day each year in tribute to close friends.  They chose June 8, which is usually a balmy day across the country—perfect for outdoor activities.

As the Mayo Clinic reports: “Friends help you cope with traumas, such as serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one. They also encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyles habits.”  Today’s the day to enjoy some one-on-one time with the people who never fail to catch us when we fall.

From a Biblical perspective, I can think of no better example of a best friend to others than the apostle Paul.  In 2017, Ryan Lokkesmoe wrote Paul and His Team: What the Early Church Can Teach Us About Leadership and Influence.

Paul’s friends—Mark, Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Priscilla, Aquila, Erastus, Philemon, Onesimus, Tychicus, Epaphras, Titus, and Timothy—each brought their unique gifts, personalities, and experiences to the table and made invaluable contributions to the cause of Jesus Christ and the early church.

Let’s take a look at what we can learn from Paul. 

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