Every January, a representative from my health insurance company calls to schedule my annual wellness visit. Hard to believe? I thought so too, but it’s true. The calls continue until I’m reached and make an appointment or decline the visit. A couple of years ago, two women wearing white coats and stethoscopes around their necks […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Eat more protein
Stroll down the aisles of any grocery store these days and you’re likely to see a bevy of protein-enhanced snacks, powders and drinks, cleverly packaged to catch your attention. While protein may be the nutritional buzzword of the moment, many people struggle to get the right amount of quality protein in their diets, especially those […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Tips to get through the winter
Winter is upon us and we are going to get through it. Here are ideas for ushering your family through the wintertime with some healthy habits that will hopefully promote peace and well-being in your homes. Indoor games The draw of the sofa/snuggle/screentime trifecta is strong this time of year. And while I have no […]
Posted inBooks
The study of awe
The new year is a good time to read Awe – The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, the 2023 book by Dacher Keltner. He pioneered the scientific study of awe and demonstrated that people who find everyday awe are more curious and open to new ideas and the […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Choose your adventure at LLCC Campus Visit Day
Adventure can be about scaling mountains and crossing oceans. It’s also about exploring possibilities and shaping your future. At every stage of life, we have the chance to define and redefine who we are, and education is one of the most powerful tools for that transformation. Choosing a college, a training program or a class […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
I shared the dream of Dr. King
The Bible records numerous “dreams” that invaded the minds of people. In many of those “dreams” and “visions,” God revealed his plans for his chosen people and leaders. They included visions of the present and the future that affected the lives of the “dreamers” and of those to whom God would vindicate. Of kings and […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Improving housing stability benefits our community
Safe and stable housing creates the foundation that every person in our community needs to thrive, live a healthy life and reach their goals. As achieving stable housing grows difficult so too does the number of our neighbors forced to spend their energy in survival mode each day trying to figure out where and how […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
In praise of single women
I hope the title of this column makes at least a few people do a double take! It isn’t every day, after all, that you hear words of praise directed at single women. Perhaps you’re one of those who recently viewed that perennial holiday favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life. If so, you’ll recall the scene […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The power of community: Looking back on 2025 and ahead to what’s next
We’ve spent the past few weeks at United Way of Central Illinois reflecting on what an incredible year 2025 was, and honestly, we’re still a little overwhelmed by the generosity we witnessed. This year’s campaign theme was “The Power of Community,” and we saw that power show up in ways big and small. From the […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Who can but prophesy?
In the scriptural portion that was read this past week in Jewish congregations the patriarch Jacob, on his deathbed, speaks to his sons about the future destiny of the tribes that they will found and that will bear their names. “I will tell you what will befall you in days to come.” (Genesis 49:1) The […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
How does Jesus save?
Have you heard the one about Jesus and Satan, a computing contest and a power outage? I’ll spare you, but the joke came to mind while I was thinking through the question about how Jesus saves in light of a particular text from Matthew’s Gospel. In that scripture Joseph is told to name Mary’s baby […]
Posted inUncategorized
A year of faith and resilience: Faith Coalition’s commitment to justice
As we come to the close of 2025, the Faith Coalition for the Common Good is deeply thankful for the opportunity to share in the work alongside a community of resilient, courageous and powerful leaders. This work is not done in isolation, it is built through relationship, trust and collective commitment to justice. The evolution […]
