{"id":23097,"date":"2019-08-25T22:04:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T02:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=23097"},"modified":"2019-08-26T09:01:12","modified_gmt":"2019-08-26T13:01:12","slug":"5-friday-faves-truth-leveling-the-playing-field-the-best-of-twitter-spiderman-and-books-as-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=23097","title":{"rendered":"5 Friday Faves – Truth, Leveling the Playing Field, the Best of Twitter, Spiderman, and Books as Art"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fridays seem to come so fast, that Faves get written late in the weekend…this one did anyway. Here they are finally:<\/p>\n

1) Truth <\/strong>– “What is truth?”<\/a> This question was asked centuries ago by a Roman governor standing over an innocent man whom he himself believed was innocent. Pontius Pilate<\/a> asked the question when pressed by the religious leaders of that day for a guilty verdict on Jesus Christ<\/a>. Guilty of what? Guilty of whatever would get him executed and out of the way.<\/p>\n

The question of what is truth? <\/em>continues through the ages. Even for those who believe in the sanctity of Scripture, we become functional atheists if we don’t apply it to our understanding of God and to our very lives.<\/p>\n

What Is Truth?<\/em><\/a> – excellent read on truth (including philosophical and scientific perspectives)<\/p>\n

A friend posted a Gallup poll this week on what Americans believe about the Bible. I don’t take polls seriously usually because they can so often be slanted depending on the polling intent and the sample selected. Still, this one gave pause.\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Gallup<\/a><\/p>\n

Record Few Americans Believe that the Bible Is the Literal Word of God<\/em> – Lydia Saad, Gallup<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bible continues to reportedly be the most read book in the world. What do we do with what we read? \"Most<\/a>Jared Fanning<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I remain in the diminishing “light green” group from the Gallup poll above. God is certainly capable of protecting His recorded word through the ages. If I did begin to take parts as fable, moral precept alone or not literally… which parts? Keep the parts that treat me favorably? Willing to risk that God means for us to take it all to heart…and trust His goodness, fairness, and love for the mysteries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Heartlight<\/a><\/p>\n

Why We Need the Truth More Than Ever<\/em> – Matt Brown<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Leveling the Playing Field<\/strong>– When an individual or organization acts to truly give opportunity to marginalized people, it is noteworthy. Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School<\/a> (AJCES) is one of those organizations. Named after a woman born into slavery<\/a>, AJCES affords private education to over 100 middle schoolers.<\/p>\n

\"PrivateSchools_AnnaJuliaCooperSchool1_COURTESY_rp0819.jpg\"<\/div>\n
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Photo Credit: Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School<\/a><\/p>\n

The parents pay a small annual admission fee and must commit to be involved in their children’s education (including parent\/teacher conferences). The students are gifted scholarships for the tuition and fees throughout their middle school years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Anna Julia Cooper received a scholarship herself to go to such a school. She would pursue graduate education and earned a doctorate during a time such degrees were never awarded to black women.<\/p>\n

AJCES is a small school but hopes to double in size in next few years becoming a K-8 facility. A capital campaign is under way.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, this school is a beacon of hope in a neighborhood that could use it. Read more about it in the article Leveling the Playing Field<\/em> <\/a>by Julinda Lewis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Please give your own shout-out to a person or organization who is leveling the playing field for others (in Comments below).<\/p>\n

3) The Best of Twitter<\/strong> – Twitter has its own downside like much of social media. I am really glad for what I have learned from others through their Tweets and my Twitter feed, in general. It’s worth enough that it crowds out the political hatred, mudslinging, and trash talk…so prominent on social media platforms (especially during election years) I’m staying for the best of Twitter, not the worst.<\/p>\n

Two of my favorite Tweets of the week follow (this time both featuring the same person):<\/p>\n

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In Christ, we have nothing left to hide. We can strip off our religious masks, forsake the imposter, and start living our lives freely again, \u201cnaked and unashamed\u201d before the eyes of our Judge who has now become our Savior.<\/p>\n

— Scott Sauls (@scottsauls) August 22, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n