Miscellaneous Topics

 Several communities across Eastern Kentucky are facing a quiet but deeply unsettling crisis. In those communities and in small towns across Appalachia ,  residents are once again being reminded of a truth so basic we often overlook it: life depends on water. Recently, a city official in Hazard, KY stated publicly that population growth is outpacing infrastructure—that the available water supply is no longer sufficient to meet the community’s needs. On the surface, that sounds like a civil engineering problem. From a pastoral and prophetic perspective, it sounds like a warning In Scripture, water is never treated as merely a resource. It is sacred, symbolic, and inseparable from life itself. From the opening verses of Genesis to the final invitation in Revelation— “let him that is athirst come” —water represents sustenance, renewal, covenant, and the presence of God. When water flows freely, communities flourish. When water becomes scarce, Scripture consistently treats it...

  Keyboard Kindness Yesterday, standing in the shower - where some of the clearest thoughts seem to arrive—a simple phrase came to me: Keyboard Kindness. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Have you ever noticed how brave people become behind a screen? From the comfort of their own home… Sometimes anonymously… Often without ever knowing the person they’re attacking… People say things online they would never say face-to-face. Why? Because most of the time, there are no repercussions . No awkward silence. No eye contact. No immediate reminder that the person on the other side of the screen is a real human being with a heart, a history, and a breaking point. Social media has given us incredible tools to connect—but it has also handed some people a shield. A place to throw stones without being seen. And here’s the thing that bothers me most: So much cruelty is aimed at people the attacker doesn’t even know. No shared history. No context. No unde...

  Why Funeral Homes Cannot Offer Free or Heavily Discounted Funerals (And Why That Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Care) by Joe Clark, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer When families are grieving, cost is often the last thing they want to think about. And that’s understandable. But over the past few years, many funeral homes have noticed a growing belief that funeral services should be free — or nearly free — simply because compassion is involved. That belief usually isn’t rooted in bad intentions. It’s rooted in what the public doesn’t see . Funeral Directors Are Highly Educated, Licensed Professionals Many people are surprised to learn that funeral directors are not “trained on the job.” Before ever caring for your loved one, funeral directors must: Attend mortuary college Pass national and state board examinations Complete an extensive apprenticeship Maintain licensure through required continuing education These requirements exist to protect families and ensure ever...