By JIM  NICHOLS It was meant as a joke, but it causes grimaces when read. It said something like, “Before the internet, we thought the cause of stupidity was the lack of information. It wasn’t that.” Some of the major information technology companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google are engaged in difficult decisions regarding the veracity of information

By JIM NICHOLS It is reasonable to suspect that every occupation includes some unpleasant aspects. No matter what your job, some responsibilities or tasks are in the “do I really have to do that?” category. Most aspects of the job may be fulfilling and rewarding, but there are still a few that are taxing either to our skills or to

By JIM NICHOLS A preacher friend of mine commented that he had read something that I had recently written. He said, “You and I must have been using the same sources; I said about the same thing in a sermon.” I was caught off guard a bit by the comment because, although I remembered my article, I could not remember

By JIM NICHOLS Church policy arguments can be tedious. If you are a member of a church with a clear non-local hierarchy, you have an advantage of having leaders you may not even know make policy decisions for your local group. You may not agree with those decisions, but you do not have to lose much sleep trying to make

By JIM NICHOLS One of my favorite movies of recent years is “Hidden Figures.” In this 2016 film, the setting is the early 1960s and the exciting “space race” between the United States and Russia. The movie traces the lives and contributions of three African-American women, each of whom makes brilliant contributions to the eventual NASA launch of John Glenn

By JIM NICHOLS In my more introspective moments, I consider how I have changed in my life. This is normal, of course, and it can be an instructive activity. Many wonderful people have enriched me and cared for me; indeed, many have sacrificed for me. I have had a blessed life compared to virtually everyone I know. When I consider