Ranch dressing, the World Cup, and America250: What makes America unique, and what Americans need most

Article Description

As America’s 250th anniversary nears, patriotism is the order of the day. Amid stories celebrating our nation, one surprising symbol has emerged: ranch dressing, now beloved by visitors from around the world and described as “a face of the nation.” It’s a fitting picture of the “multicultural miracle” that is America. But today we consider how the same spirit of self-reliance that helped shape our nation can also keep us from God’s best, and why self-reliance may be popular religion but spiritual suicide.

About Denison Forum and The Daily Article

Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter.

NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

Rescuers in Venezuela worked through the night Friday to save hundreds trapped in rubble and find thousands more missing in the aftermath of Wednesday’s earthquakes. What happened there could happen here: New research warns that stress on Southern California’s San Andreas and San Jacinto fault lines has reached the highest level in a thousand years, putting the region in a “critically loaded” state that could cause a large, multi-fault earthquake. Whether you and I live in an earthquake zone or not, we need hope that sustains our hearts in hazardous days. I found such encouragement recently in an unexpected place.

About Denison Forum and The Daily Article

Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter.

NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.

After America’s World Cup victory over Australia last Friday, Christian Pulisic shared a photo on Instagram showing several US players gathered in a circle on the field, their heads bowed in prayer. His teammate Mark McKenzie responded by referencing Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and its reminder that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (v. 12). However, such faith is no guarantee that Christians will not suffer and struggle as do others. If faith does not protect us from trials, what good is it? You may be facing challenges today for which your faith does not seem relevant. You may even be suffering because of your faith. If not today, perhaps tomorrow. Today, let’s respond with wisdom that leads to the hope our hearts need most.

About Denison Forum and The Daily Article

Today's Daily Article was written by Dr. Jim Denison. You can read this article on our website. You may also receive it in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletter.

NOTE: Denison Forum is a fully donor-funded nonprofit ministry. To support our calling, please donate today.