Malijah Gee’s path from incarceration at the age of 17 to imminent freedom reflects the longing for a voice that has been suppressed for 36 years. A historic opportunity awaits him and many others: the chance to vote‚ possibly for the first time. He said‚ “I came here as a youth‚ so I was never able to vote.” But now‚ on the verge of being released‚ he is looking forward to taking part in Michigan’s next presidential primary. “Getting out and having that opportunity is a great feeling‚” he said‚ emphasizing the enormous importance of this right. Legislative success Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a critical bill into law‚ signaling a big step toward increased voter participation. This law‚ sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou‚ offers automatic registration to recently jailed individuals upon release. She said‚ “We wanted to increase [voter registration]‚ and the incarcerated population is one of the populations that is least likely to be registered to vote.” The goal is clear: to strengthen a historically marginalized part of society. Improving participation Michigan’s project is not a stand-alone effort; it builds on the Department of Corrections’ previous efforts. Even before the law was passed in 2025‚ the department and the secretary of state collaborated to pre-register approximately 5‚000 jailed people to vote upon their release. “The legislation does… ensure that it’ll continue long term‚” said Kyle Kaminski of the Department of Corrections‚ underscoring the commitment to maintaining this critical practice. Bridging information divides Khyla Craine‚ deputy legal director at the Secretary of State’s Office‚ clarified a frequent misconception: many detained people do not vote because they believe they cannot. “They don’t want to jeopardize their ability to remain outside of the criminal justice system once they have been released‚” she said. This statute‚ on the other hand‚ seeks to clear the air and serve as a catalyst for the reintegration of formerly jailed people into society. Education and advocacy Advocacy groups such as Voters Not Politicians have been instrumental in driving these improvements. Voters Not Politicians Director Kim Murphy-Kovalick emphasized the importance of an educational component. “We need the next part of it to be the education piece‚” she said‚ arguing for programs that enlighten inmates about their voting rights. For Gee‚ preparing to re-enter society entails more than just selecting a candidate; it also entails comprehending the significance of his vote. Recognizing the significance of this newfound right‚ he decides to devote time to research before making his decision. Michigan’s progress toward inclusivity in the political process is a ray of optimism. It demonstrates the power of law and lobbying‚ promising a brighter future in which every voice matters‚ regardless of prior circumstances.The post Expanding democracy: Michigan opens new doors for formerly incarcerated voters first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

I am pleased to announce that my book “YUGA SHIFT: The End of the Kali Yuga &; the impending Planetary Transformation” has been released on December 15‚ 2023. The paperback and kindle versions of the book are now available on Amazon. (click here)

Advent is a time when Christians gather. However‚ Advent can also remind us how we’ve been called to scatter. In the Great Commission‚ Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). We sometimes neglect to see that this mission is foreshadowed in Jesus’s birth narrative (Matt. 1–2). Mission didn’t begin at the end of Christ’s earthly work; instead‚ Jesus’s birth foreshadows that a mission to the nations was the purpose of his coming. All Nations The nations are present at Jesus’s birth. In Matthew 2‚ we read of an unlikely group coming to worship Jesus as King. It’s not Jerusalem that’s ready to receive her king (v. 3). Rather‚ magi come to worship Jesus. Matthew specifically states these wise men come from the “east” (v. 1). This could refer to several places‚ and some surmise they’re from Babylon. But in their coming‚ the magi prefigure all nations bowing the knee before the Son. Yet the question arises: How will he draw them? The Great Commission tells us how—it’s by Jesus’s kingly authority. In their coming‚ the magi prefigure all nations bowing the knee before the Son. Jesus says‚ “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” therefore go into all nations (28:18). This claim to authority hails from Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man who ascends to the heavens and is given “dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples‚ nations‚ and languages should serve him” (Dan. 7:14). Since Jesus is exalted to the highest throne‚ we have a mission to all peoples. The Star and the Allotment of Nations The supernatural background is hinted at with the reference to a mobile star that led the magi to Jesus (Matt. 2:2‚ 7‚ 9‚ 10; Num. 24:17). Interpreters debate the nature of this star. One option is that the star is an angel. Ancient people viewed stars as supernatural beings—the heavenly host (Gen. 2:1; Neh. 9:6; Judg. 5:20; Job 38:7). Angels are said to descend (Gen. 28:12; Luke 10:18; Rev. 18:1) and to guide people (Ex. 14:19; 23:20)‚ and they’re often associated with brightness (Acts 10:30; 12:7; 2 Cor. 11:14; Matt. 28:1–2). Additionally‚ a biblical theology of spiritual authorities reveals this text could be a reversal of the nations’ allotment under angelic powers (Deut. 32:8–9; Ps. 82). Now that the Son of Man is born‚ an obedient angel leads the nations to their true King. If the star in Matthew 2 is an angel who leads the nations to worship Jesus‚ it foreshadows the church’s mission. Only through Jesus will the nations stream to Yahweh because their wicked guardians have been defeated in him (Col. 1:13; Eph. 1:20–21). As the disciples go out on their mission in Acts‚ they encounter much spiritual warfare; the fallen guardians of the nations will not give up their prey without a fight. Spirit’s Power Because there’ll be a supernatural battle‚ the disciples will need supernatural power. Therefore Jesus commands his disciples to baptize the nations in the “name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Then he promises them his presence (Matt. 28:19–20). While many have noted the link between Immanuel (God with us) at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel and Christ’s presence at the end (1:23; 28:20)‚ fewer have connected this to the presence of the Spirit and the war of the cosmos. If the star in Matthew 2 is an angel who leads the nations to worship Jesus‚ it foreshadows the church’s mission. Though Matthew isn’t prolific in his references to the Spirit‚ he does explicitly note the Spirit’s presence in the events surrounding Jesus’s birth  (1:18‚ 20) and in the Great Commission (28:19). What we learn if we connect these texts—and tie them to the analysis above—is that through the Spirit’s presence‚ the nations will be freed from their spiritual bondage. In Jesus’s earthly ministry‚ he repeatedly casts out demons by the power of the Spirit (4:24; 8:16‚ 28‚ 31; 9:33; 12:24; 17:18; 15:22). As he explains in the Beelzebul controversy‚ if Jesus drives out demons (fallen angels) by the Spirit of God‚ then the kingdom of God has come (12:28). Appropriately‚ Matthew connects demon possession with Gentiles in a couple of places (8:29; 15:22). In one episode‚ a Canaanite woman (a Gentile) comes to Jesus because her daughter is severely tormented by a demon (15:22). It confuses us when Jesus says it’s not her time yet. But we must remember that Jesus hasn’t yet died and been enthroned. Nevertheless‚ he heals this Gentile’s daughter because the time was both now and not yet. Advent and Mission The advent of Jesus is likewise now and not yet. The nations are present at Jesus’s birth‚ having been led by a shining star showing they’ll be freed from the domain of darkness. They’ll be released by being baptized into the name of the Father‚ Son‚ and Spirit. Perhaps this is partly why in early baptismal traditions‚ converts would declare‚ “I renounce thee‚ Satan‚ and all thy servants and all thy works.” Advent is a time when we’re reminded of our mission to go to the nations. Jesus is first worshiped by pagans who follow a star. Today‚ the nations are brought to faith in Jesus through his messengers who proclaim his name in the power of the Spirit. As we go into all the world‚ we do so in hope of Jesus’s promise recorded by Matthew (8:11). Like the magi‚ many will come from east and west‚ joining Abraham and his greater Son in his heavenly kingdom.

For some‚ the highlight of the Advent celebration is candles and wreaths. For others‚ it’s cookies and fellowship. But my favorite Advent tradition is reading On the Incarnation by Athanasius of Alexandria. Many readers have stumbled across this masterpiece because of the introductory essay in some editions‚ written by C. S. Lewis and republished as “On the Reading of Old Books.” Lewis makes his famous appeal to read books like Athanasius’s classic text. On the Incarnation is a careful exposition of God’s power and love to save fallen humanity—and many of us‚ like Lewis‚ are more encouraged by this short theological work than by explicitly devotional material. It deserves to be read on its own merits. On the Incarnation is a beautiful exposition of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It explains why and how he came to save us. The incarnation is the beating heart of orthodoxy‚ the story at the center of our faith. Athanasius fleshes this story out through scriptural engagement and philosophical meditation‚ keeping the miracle of Christ’s enfleshment front and center. Christ’s Humanity Athanasius wrote On the Incarnation around AD 330 during his early years as a bishop. He begins with God’s nature. God isn’t a being among other beings. He is being itself‚ on whom all reality and existence rests and depends. Humans were made by God to know‚ love‚ and worship him. We‚ along with all creation‚ exist only by God’s grace. But God has given us a special grace: we can enter into his being that sustains our lives and our souls and our existence. Through the fall‚ we misused our freedom and turned away from God and his grace. Since God is existence and essence and being itself—or‚ rather‚ himself—we thus turned to nonexistence‚ nothingness‚ and death. God has given us a special grace: we can enter into his being that sustains our lives and our souls and our existence. Yet God loved humanity too much to let us continue on this path to death and nothingness without hope. God’s love for fallen humans is at the center of the gospel. And that love is evident in the incarnation‚ which Athanasius argues was intended to undo the corruption of sin: “For seeing the rational race perishing‚ and death reigning over them through corruption‚ and seeing also the threat of the transgression giving firm hold to the corruption which was upon us . . . he takes for himself a body and that not foreign to our own” (II.8). Our king came to drive away the bandit of death. Imagine‚ argues Athanasius‚ that a city has been captured by bandits. Would not any king go and liberate that city‚ driving the bandits away? And so long as the king is present in a city‚ will not bandits avoid it? So it is with us. God came himself because no mere human was able to liberate us. But he came as a human because only a human could fulfill the law of humanity. As Athanasius writes‚ “Being the Word of the Father and above all‚ he alone consequently was both able to recreate the universe and was worthy to suffer on behalf of all and to intercede for all before the Father” (II.7). It was thus necessary that Christ was fully human and fully divine. Christ’s Divinity Athanasius provides several arguments for the full divinity of Jesus‚ the strongest of these being the crucifixion. Christ tramples down death by death—one of Athanasius’s favorite images. He ransoms us by his death‚ for he himself didn’t need to die. This is the great evil of nothingness that must first be overcome. And when death is overcome‚ the renewal of humanity can begin: The Word of God came himself‚ in order that he being the image of the Father (cf. Col. 1:15)‚ the human being “in the image” might be recreated. It could not‚ again‚ have been done in any other way‚ without death and corruption being utterly destroyed. So he rightly took a mortal body‚ that in it death might henceforth be destroyed utterly and human beings be renewed again according to the image. For this purpose‚ then‚ there was need of none other than the Image of the Father. (III.13) On the Incarnation uses the Godward spirituality of the church as evidence of Christ’s divinity. Since the church is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12–27)‚ the moral transformation of believers provides evidence that Christ is God. Athanasius notes‚ Those who become disciples of Christ‚ instead of fighting against each other‚ stand arrayed against the demons by their lives and deeds of virtue‚ putting them to flight and mocking their prince‚ the devil‚ so that‚ in their youth they are temperate‚ in temptations they endure‚ in toils they persevere‚ when insulted they forbear‚ and deprivations they disregard‚ and‚ what is most wonderful is that they scorn even death and become martyrs for Christ. (VIII.52) Christ’s divinity is also evidenced by his resurrection‚ because only a living Savior can move sinners toward holiness. Athanasius argues‚ “The dead can effect nothing‚ but the Saviour effects such great things every day—drawing to piety‚ persuading to virtue‚ teaching about immortality‚ leading to a desire for heavenly things‚ revealing the knowledge of the Father‚ inspiring power against death‚ showing himself to each‚ and purging away the godlessness of idols” (V.31). Only a living Savior can move sinners toward holiness. Only God could save us‚ and when he did‚ he opened a pathway to heaven and true life that’s more glorious and more beautiful than anything we can imagine. This is the great truth at the heart of Christmas and the beautiful‚ orthodox gospel Athanasius fought to maintain and that he explains so carefully in On the Incarnation. This Christmas season‚ ponder this classic work and bask in the glory of Christ who died and rose to save you.

If this dude doesn't win Coach of the Year‚ the NFL is utter trash

Everyone is afraid of something‚ and many fears and phobias are common among pretty much all human beings. In fact‚ if you aren’t at least a little freaked out by things like heights‚ spiders‚ snakes‚ or public speaking‚ people may actually think that you are rather strange. However‚ sometimes‚ due to cultural differences‚ phobias develop […] The post 10 Bizarre Fears and Phobias Specific to One Culture appeared first on Listverse.

Even if you’re not a practicing Christian‚ the religion of Jesus Christ and his disciples has spread so far and wide—especially in the West and around the English-speaking world—that it’s nearly impossible not to know its meaning as a religious symbol. Meant to memorialize Jesus’ persecution and the power of his faith and belief in […] The post The Fascinating Meanings of Ten Lesser-Known Religious Crosses appeared first on Listverse.

Home. For all of us‚ the word brings images to mind. Home is meant to be a place of comfort and safety‚ but for some women facing unplanned pregnancies‚ this isn’t the case. And that’s why St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Home in Warsaw‚ North Dakota‚ exists.  “There are so many people who really are alone in the world who might not‚ in North Dakota‚ be on the streets homeless‚ but maybe they’re living coach the coach‚” says Mary Pat Jahner‚ director of the North Dakota home. “Maybe they have family‚ but … there would not be a means for gas money to [go to] an appointment or to get a car seat or things like that. So‚ you know‚ those are the people that we serve‚ the people who are alone in the world‚” Jahner‚ founder of the St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Home‚ explains.  For 20 years‚ the large residence has provided expectant and new mothers with a place not only to find safety and provision‚ but also community and the love of Christ during and after their pregnancies.  The St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Home in Warsaw‚ North Dakota. (Photo courtesy of St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Home) “We live as a family‚” Jahner says of the home for mothers. “We just have a few moms at a time and give them as much love during their time here as we can.”  Jahner joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to share the mission of the St. Gianna and Pietro Molla Home‚ as well as stories of the women who have found refuge at the home over the years.  Listen to the podcast below:  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post For 20 Years‚ Pro-Life Home Has Served Mothers Who Are ‘Alone in the World’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Time magazine named pop singer Taylor Swift its Person of the Year. There is a good economic argument to be made for why Swift deserves the title‚ which we discussed on a recent episode of the “Problematic Women” podcast.  Although Swift’s effect on the music industry and economy is unquestionable‚ her political rhetoric leaves much to be desired. So while Swift took home Time’s greatest annual recognition‚ here at “Problematic Women” we were eager to recognize a woman who dedicates her time‚ energy‚ and talent to ensure that the next generation of little girls has the opportunity to compete on a fair athletic playing field.  Each week on “Problematic Women‚” we name a Problematic Woman of the Week—that is‚ a woman who furthers conservative values and often faces opposition for doing so.  In 2023‚ many problematic women fought for the unborn‚ spoke out in support of education freedom‚ and advocated the privacy and protection of female-only spaces. Although it’s hard to pick just one‚ few female leaders acted with more integrity and reached more Americans with a message of common sense than swimmer Riley Gaines.  Gaines‚ a 12-time All-American and three-time Southeastern Conference champion‚ gained national attention in 2022 after she tied with male swimmer Lia Thomas‚ who says he identifies as transgender‚ in the 200 freestyle at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships.  Since being forced to swim against Thomas‚ Gaines has continued to share her story and advocate the protection of women’s sports as a spokeswoman for Independent Women’s Forum.  Gaines testified Dec. 5 before a congressional subommittee alongside Sarah Parshall Perry‚ a senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation who is a regular voice on “Problematic Women‚” and shared her experience of competing against a biological male.  For choosing to stand in defense of women’s sports and female-only spaces‚ Gaines testified that she has been met with “death threats” and verbal and physical assault.  .@Riley_Gaines_: "Since taking the stance that I’ve taken‚ my address has been leaked‚ I’ve had people showing up at my doorstep‚ drones flying above my house. I can’t even tell you the amount of death threats that I’ve had that have rendered the FBI getting involved. It’s real‚… pic.twitter.com/IcCkXfXHQn— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) December 5‚ 2023 Despite the attacks Gaines continues to face‚ she has chosen to speak out with greater conviction for the future of women’s sports. Her determination to be a voice of common sense and truth no matter the cost has rightly earned her the title of 2023 Problematic Woman of the Year.  Be sure to catch the full conversation on this week’s edition of the “Problematic Women” podcast‚ where we also discuss the biggest moments of 2023 and share our favorite Christmas traditions.  Listen to the podcast below: Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.  The post Problematic Woman of the Year: Riley Gaines appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham said Wednesday that President Joe Biden was too afraid to face former President Donald Trump “fair and square” in the 2024 election‚ noting that Biden was trailing Trump…