April 23, 2026

Joseph R Biden Jr has just been sworn-in as our 46th President of the United States of America. Coverage on MSNBC continues to be updated at this time, with current banner on home page reading “Biden Sworn in as 46th President, Declares ‘Democracy has Prevailed.’” As covered variously across mainstream media, Twitter (and presumably other social feeds) has updated @POTUS to reflect change in administrations.

via Lifeway Research (April 5, 2021)— "Americans Most Want to Avoid Fear and Anxiety, Gain Freedom and Safety," by Aaron Earls: After what was a scary year for many, more Americans say they want to avoid fear. According to a study from Lifeway Research, when asked which feeling they seek to…

– January 2, 2022
via Lifeway Research (April 6, 2021)— "Americans' Views of Life's Meaning and Purpose Are Changing," by Aaron Earls: As Americans attempt to move past the life-altering effects of 2020, their perspective is shifting on some of the most significant questions facing humanity. [Compared] to a decade ago, U.S. adults today are…

– January 9, 2022
Independence Day— via Billy Graham (1970): "I find that there is a certain fear and expected cosmic judgment that hangs over our country at this hour, as the Devine timepiece ticks away. Thomas Jefferson felt this deeply when he said, 'I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God…

– July 4, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Treasures in the darkness," by Karen Blanchard, women's life group leader with Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township, Michigan: Having been in this pandemic for two years now, we face days that seem uncertain and difficult to navigate. Yet through all the darkness and confusion,…

– March 6, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Words without wisdom," by Coye L Bouyer, founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church, in Lansing, Michigan: A life-giving tongue creates a positive environment, and even brings joy to a community. However, too often many of us choose conversation that is callous and criticizes as opposed…

– February 27, 2022
via Center for Faith and Culture (January 10, 2022)— "How Christians Can Prepare for the US Supreme Court's Monumental Abortion Ruling," by Jessica Prol Smith, fifteen-year public policy write-in Cumberland, Maryland: "Know your audience and seek to win hearts, not just minds .... Christians believe that every image-bearer — born…

– June 26, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (May 2, 2022)— "Be the Church in the marketplace" by Coye L Bouyer, founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church, in Lansing, Michigan: This is a classic story of what God can and will do when lay people begin to take seriously the Lord’s call on their life to…

– May 15, 2022
via TED Conferences (February 1998) "Billy Graham: Technology, faith and human shortcomings": In Monterey California, The Reverend Billy Graham delivered a talk of just over twenty-six minutes to a Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) conference before a screen that projected a title of no more than, matter-of-factly, his first and…

– July 10, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v Bremerton School District— On April 4, 2022, Compelling Truth revisited the question, "What is the separation of church and state?" Noting that this "is not foundation and is not found in the US Constitution," this assessment went on to assert that…

– June 27, 2022

Puppeteer Vít Hořejš on stage at Detroit Institute of Arts

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre demonstrated just how hard it can be to appear effortless

December 30, 2019

This afternoon, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) hosted the second of two stagings for A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa in its Marvin & Betty Danto auditorium. An estimated 275 people were in attendance, mostly families with elementary-school-aged children and younger. [1,2] As contrasted with approaches by the Meredith Marionettes Touring Company and works of Dreamland Theater as covered previously in Saline Journal, members of the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre troupe appeared along side their string-puppets ....

On this 71st “National Day of Prayer,” faithful consistently reach out to God, know they are heard, and trust in His care

May 5, 2022

Four years ago, National Review braved shark infested waters to challenge the question of prayer versus data-based solutions. “Whenever there is a national tragedy such as a mass shooting or natural disaster, two phenomena can reliably be observed,” its feature opened. [1] First, people offer or ask for prayers. Second, others respond by criticizing, even mocking prayer. They argue that we need to turn to science, not faith, to solve problems. Lack of evidence that prayer ....

Entries for 2018 Saline Scarecrow Contest Will Begin Registering On September 21, And The Sky’s The Limit On Creativity

September 13, 2018

Two months ago, Saline Journal broke news with Borer Family Chiropractic announcement of its theme for the yearly Saline Scarecrow Contest this year. If the DIA experience with interest in Star Wars affiliation is any indication, mid-July was none-too-early for those inclined to take a more competitive approach to creating their entries. [1,2] But what if Star Wars isn’t your thing? You couldn’t tell the difference between an Ewok and a Wookie, and (seriously), you ....

Some Americans would be unsettled to learn that their favorite hero was a Black man; others, the complete opposite

February 22, 2021

“The Lone Ranger’s Black?” [1,2] As histories go, it’s hard to imagine four words that intersect more threads than those above — spoken by a fictional character. Spoken by time machine pilot Rufus Carlin during the 2016-2017 season of Timeless, it was his typically matter-of-fact reaction when he first saw Deputy Marshall Bass Reeves in the year 1882. [3,4] In 2018, “pop culture historian” Martin Grams Jr produced a 22-page white paper earnestly aimed at debunking this ....

“If You Only Remember One Thing From My Presentation Tonight, Remember This,” Detective Jeremy Stempien, Regarding Scams

November 30, 2018

Over three dozen people attended the “Scam Presentation” by Detective Jeremy Stempien of the Novi Police Department last night at St Paul United Church of Christ here in the City of Saline. It’s hard to say how that number might have changed if that same talk were held tonight. [1] Depends on how far people venture outside their local news spheres. That’s because, a bit after the business day started here this morning for Saline ....