by johnnoltner
As a 20-something and a brand new parent, I sat with the pastor of my church and explained to him that I had always wanted to be a part of a church that had a global vision. I wanted to be involved in a group that could offer service to the world, whether it be a health clinic, micro-finance, education or a building program. My pastor listened carefully and then replied, “John, I think that’s a great idea.” I was […]
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by johnnoltner
When the Methodist church voted this week to uphold its opposition to gay marriage and gay clergy, I though immediately of Jarell Wilson, who started his interview by saying, “I am a black gay man living in the south, and I am a Christian.” More specifically, he is a Methodist. Jarell talks about the weight of carrying all of these identities “in a society that is not welcoming of two-thirds of my identity.” Yet he also talks about the beauty […]
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by johnnoltner
I’m good at looking forward. I like to set goals and strategize. I enjoy dreaming and planning and striving. Every time I reach a goal, three more goals take its place. Every time I climb to the top of a hill, I see a bigger hill and wonder what the view would be like from there. The hills become mountains and I’m beginning to think I just like climbing mountains. I’m not so good at looking back. Karen and I […]
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by johnnoltner
At ECU, we asked, “What do you want your campus to know about sexual assault prevention and education?”
Categories: Blog • Tags: black and white, education, photography, pledge purple, portraits, prevention, sexual assault, sexual assault prevention, stories
by johnnoltner
To get our new video, click here…but keep reading for a special discount. Happy new year! I learned a lot of things in 2018. Top of the list? I can’t be everywhere. I know it’s true, because I tried. Last year, A Peace of My Mind led programming in 20 states. I drove 40,000 miles and flew even more. I crossed the entire country three times in one week and learned that scheduling will always be messy for this project. […]
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by johnnoltner
We visited Rutgers University for their Leadership Week and asked, “What do you want to be remembered for?”
Categories: Blog • Tags: a peace of my mind, black and white, leadership, leadership development, peace, photography, portrait photography, stories
by johnnoltner
Life has seasons, and so does this work. Fall was a busy season on the road, hauling the exhibits and leading programming at colleges and conferences across the country. It was an exciting and robust schedule, but the last run was 30 days and 5,000 miles long. By the time it was over, I was ready for a break. I returned home November 16 and went straight into harvest mode. For those of you who don’t know, Karen and I […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: home, plan, reflect, seasons, travel, vision, writing
by johnnoltner
It continues to amaze me how a small gesture can change someone’s day, or their life. We’ve all had it happen to us. We all have the power to offer it to others. A Peace of My Mind visited Tennessee Tech and asked, “When has someone reached out to lift you up?”
Categories: Blog • Tags: care, caring, encouragement, friendship, kindness, love, service, support
by johnnoltner
We’ve been talking about how we care for one another this fall…how we lift one another up…how we build relationships that allow all people to thrive. In this season of gratitude, think about how you got where you are today. Who has helped you? Who has encouraged? Are there ways you can do the same for others? At West Virginia University at Parkersburg, we asked, “What is the greatest sacrifice anyone has made for you?” It might be an interesting […]
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by johnnoltner
“I think you have to think life…right ’til the end…and then you think eternal life.” I met Tony and Jenny Potts at a Bruderhof community in New York’s Hudson River Valley. The Bruderhof are Christians, living in community…they share resources, faith, and a life-long commitment to care for one another. Tony: We are here to serve others. It’s not a life of getting. It’s a life of trying to see where you can support others, show love and do also […]
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