Few children’s books have left the impression on me that Kelly Barnhill’s “The Ogress and the Orphans” has. It is a book that gives me hope during this difficult time in our country; hope that we can be the heroes that we need.

Receiving a compliment is one of those small mercies of life that almost goes unnoticed to the world, but not to the receiver.

Each week in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.

Seeking first God’s kingdom requires the moral clarity to understand that others matter as much as I do. Empires undermine this moral clarity with bread and circuses.

We thank God for the tempering of violence in Gaza, and for the hope the plan proffers of a continued, lasting peace. Yet we seek and strive for peace with justice. This agreement, intended to bring about peace, has not yet manifested substantive progress toward peace, nor does it offer a negotiated settlement that is inclusive of both peace and justice.