Hello my friends, Today I want to look at Matthew 3:1-12 with you and explore the themes of repentance, fruit, and the prophetic task within it and how they might shape our perspectives today. Recommended Resources -The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann This little book has had a profound impact on my perspective of the biblical prophets and the message they came to proclaim. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it yet. -Falling Upward, Revised and Updated: A Spirituality for...
13 days ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, I wanted to begin today with a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself. In the midst of the way our world is today, especially during the holiday season, we can spend so much time serving and advocating for others that we can neglect ourselves. In fact, for many of us, we can even be tremendously hard on ourselves for not doing "enough." This is deeply disruptive, not only to our sense of self, but to the very goal of caring for others. When we do not show up for ourselves,...
20 days ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, Today is, all over the world, Christians will gather to acknowledge "Christ The King Sunday." In our world today, where phrases like "Christ Is King" have been co-opted by political movements, it is important to stop and consider what the gospel writers and the church has long meant when it calls Christ "king." So let's look at this together. Recommended Resources. Advent begins next Sunday and I have written a new daily devotional for that season that concludes on Christmas...
27 days ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, In our time where trillion dollar deals are made and glamorous ballrooms are being built by the powerful, all while millions face food and health insecurity, I couldn't help but think of the profound parallels, critique, and message found in Luke 21:5-19. So, I'd like to walk with you through the similarities of the first century world in which this passage came to life and what it might mean for us today. Recommended Resources. -My New Advent Devotional. I'm excited to...
about 1 month ago • 10 min read
Hello my friends, Today, I want to take a sober look at an issue that continues to influence our culture and the church. After the election results came back from across the country, I again painfully noticed anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, and even racist commentary shape public discourse, even among some who claim to follow Jesus. I believe this stems from something we as followers of Jesus need to take deeply seriously and confront, especially in the days ahead. I hope you find what you read...
about 1 month ago • 16 min read
Hello my friends, As one who follows the Revised Common Lectionary for preaching, I am always so inspired and amazed at how the assigned scripture readings for each Sunday are so timely and speak directly into our moment. The lectionary assigned gospel reading for All Saints Sunday (November 2nd) is Luke 6:20-31. More commonly known as Jesus' "sermon on the plain." He speaks directly about those who are poor and hungry as well as delivers stern warnings to the rich and comfortable. With...
about 2 months ago • 14 min read
I've heard a Bible verse used far too many times as a "pushback" against government assistance programs like SNAP. It's 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” I'm sure you have too. So let's breakdown why using it this way is wrong and harmful. Paul's Greek in this passage reads:(tis ou thelei ergazesthai), literally in English it says: "if anyone is unwilling to labor." The verb ergazesthai carries the sense of physical labor, the labor of producing food, of...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Common Myths About SNAP Myth 1: “Most SNAP recipients don’t work.” Fact: Nearly two-thirds of SNAP recipients who can work do work, often in low-wage jobs that don’t pay enough to cover basic food needs. SNAP supplements income; it doesn’t replace it. Approximately 70% of wage-earning adults in SNAP households work full-time hours, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. However, other analyses show that work is common among those who receive SNAP, with over 80% of...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hello my friends, Many of the questions I receive revolve around the theme of what loving others well actually looks like in a world like ours today, especially those within our religious group who believe a coercive and forceful way is the way God is calling us to right now. So, today I want to ponder that theme through the lens of a conversation Jesus had with his peers over the very same topic. I hope you find it helpful. Recommended Resources -Broken Articulating Your Own Faith After...
about 2 months ago • 9 min read