by Patty Edwards Shaver | Feb 6, 2024 | Feature-, Opinion
First impressions set the tone for individuals and organizations. They are essential in making guests and people seeking assistance feel welcome. This is also true for church members seeking inclusion within a committee, ministry outreach or Bible study class. Church...
by Patty Edwards Shaver | Jan 3, 2024 | Feature-, Opinion
Christmas is a time to focus on Jesus’ birth. It is a time for hope, peace, joy and love. Recently, however, I remembered Christmases past tainted by Christian nationalism. For years, my extended family gathered and celebrated on Christmas Eve. I would leave work...
by Patty Edwards Shaver | May 9, 2023 | Feature-, Opinion
The term narcissist gets thrown around a lot and tends to be misused. To many, a narcissist is someone who thinks too highly of themselves, but there is more to it than that. According to Melinda Smith and Lawrence Robinson of HelpGuide.Org, “Narcissistic personality...
by Patty Edwards Shaver | Mar 21, 2023 | Feature-, Opinion
Churches are filled with the “walking wounded,” people whose lives are affected by life challenges and traumas. They put on a happy face and dress to look their best, but underneath they are hurting. This insight was shared with me several years ago by a man who led a...
by Patty Edwards Shaver | May 21, 2009 | Opinion
Shortly after President Obama took office in January, he announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) would provide COBRA premium assistance to workers who have been laid off since Sept. 1, 2008. Many of these workers may have felt relieved at...
