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Paul Graves

In March 2026, Paul will have completed 30 years as a faith/values writer, and he has plans to keep writing! After almost 37 years in Sandpoint, ID, Paul and his wife moved to Hillsboro, OR in March 2025, to be close to their son and family. They live in a retirement community, where Paul’s professional back as a retired United Methodist pastor and also a retired geriatric social worker, have been welcomed and are grist for the writing-mill on matters of spirituality, politics and aging.
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How many flags make you a patriot? 

A reflection on flags, patriotism, and political devotion. The author argues that patriotism is defined by actions and democratic values, not just symbols.
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A man who hated ‘illegals’ fell at the farmers market. Carlos caught him.

A grandfather reflects on immigration, so-called "illegals," and human connection through a story inspired by a real encounter at a street-corner vigil.
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Small groups, big impact: how local vigils and grassroots protests still matter

A reflection on grassroots activism shows how small, local efforts — from street vigils to protests — can build momentum and make a meaningful impact.
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How to housebreak an elephant: Christian nationalism, the Iran War, and the art of truth-telling

An opinion piece urges truth-telling on Christian nationalism and Trump-era war rhetoric, arguing faith should reflect compassion, not power.
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What avocados and John Wesley teach us about ‘going on to perfection’

In a letter to his grandchildren, a grandfather reflects on Wesleyan “perfection,” aging, faith and the unfinished business of love and justice.
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ICE Raids and the search for peace: Lessons From Martin Luther King Jr.

After an ICE killing sparks fear and protest, this reflection draws on MLK to argue that peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice.
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Why churches are making nativity scenes political: The biblical case for refugee protection

From Mary’s Magnificat to the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, the Nativity story reveals deep political and moral truths still echoed today.
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