Hello my freinds, I have been thinking so much about about how Jesus' parable of the vineyard workers is so fitting to what we are witnessing from many corners of Christianity in the United States today. So, I wanted to reflect on that passage with you. Be sure to share your thoughts with me after reading. Recommended Links -Back To School Drive. Public Democracy America is hosting a fundraiser for families in need as the school year approaches. For a lot of families, the first day of school...
8 days ago • 9 min read
Hello my friends, Today I want to reflect with you on several parables from Jesus that he tells one right after the other in Matthew 13. They all have different metaphors and characters but a very similar theme. A theme that is very timely and needed in our context today. Recommended Resources -Half of Gen Z says Trump support keeps them out of church. By Ryan Burge and Rick Richardson. This article is based on a recent study that found that even among Gen Z Christians, the strong alliance...
15 days ago • 10 min read
Hello my friends, I am writing to you today tired and with a heavy heart about all that's happening in our world today. Based on the messages I've received, I know many of you are feeling the same. So, today I wanted to focus on a parable of Jesus and through it, acknowledge our collective grief and support one another as we move ahead together. Life In The Weeds. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (NIV) 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his...
22 days ago • 9 min read
I was opposed to Donald Trump long before he entered politics. His long and well documented history of abuse towards women, his racism (Central Park Five, housing discrimination, etc.), his lying, and blatant greed made it utterly baffling why anyone would admire the man. Then he entered politics and I couldn’t believe what I witnessed. At the beginning in 2016, I just assumed he wouldn’t even make it far given his reputation, especially among Christian voters. But as he rose in prominence,...
22 days ago • 5 min read
Hello my friends, Several of you have asked me why I remain a Christian in the midst of all the damage that is happening in our world today under the banner of Christianity. Well, today I wanted to process that question and the thoughts it brought up for me. I hope you find it helpful and encouraging. Recommended Resources -How to Change the World by Hidden Brain This episode is older, but I have thought of its significance so often lately. It interviews a researcher and author who presents...
29 days ago • 9 min read
Hello my friends, I pray you had a safe and grace filled week. While I was processing some complicated emotions around Independence Day, I wrote this short essay about grief being a form of patriotism too. I thought I would share it here with you in case you found it helpful. Today, I wanted to reflect on both Jesus' frustrations and healing words in Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, where he laments the hardheartedness of people and brings invitation to rest in the midst of weariness. In the midst of...
about 1 month ago • 9 min read
Remember: Grief Is a Form of Patriotism, Too. This 4th of July, many of us won’t be waving flags or watching fireworks. Not because we hate our country, but because we love it too much to pretend everything is fine. When we see the powerful wield their influence to harm the poor, when policies are passed that will strip people of healthcare, housing, safety, and dignity, when we watch the planet ravaged for profit, when cruelty is packaged as strength and injustice paraded as “God’s will,”...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hello my friends, Given the events of this last week, I wanted to focus on the topic of the separation of church and state and why I think Christians should defend it, especially in our world today. Below are some resources on this topic you may find helpful: -Christians against Christian Nationalism this organization is founded by and run by Christians dedicated to the gospel of Jesus and opposing Christian nationalism. They have a lot of resources on their website as well as ways to get...
about 1 month ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, Today, I want to reflect with you on Matthew 10:24-39 and how Jesus speaks exactly to the kind of painful division we have been experiencing in our culture along the fault lines created by Christian Nationalism. I know many of us have experienced this kind of painful division, so my hope in today’s reflection is to not only provide comfort in knowing you are not alone but to also provide scripture and language you can use to tell your own story if you are struggling to do...
about 2 months ago • 10 min read