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,”...
3 days 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...
8 days 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...
15 days ago • 10 min read
Hello my friends, Today I want to reflect with you on Matthew 9:35—10:23. Jesus gives some very specific instructions to his disciples that I feel are often overlooked. As I contemplated them this week, it really helped to put my spiraling between despair and determination into perspective. I hope it does for you too. Resources to consider: -Following Jesus In A World Obsessed With Empires. I recently wrote a 30 day devotional in hopes of providing an encouraging resource for those who are...
22 days ago • 9 min read
Hello my friends, With June being Pride Month, I receive a lot of questions about the Bible and passages that are often used against the LGBT community. So, I just wanted to share a few reflections for you here as well as recommend a few resources that might help you process any questions you might be having. I will be sharing two reflections in this piece. The first will be a reflection on God's use of a rainbow and the second will be on Sodom and Gomorrah. I pray you find them encouraging...
29 days ago • 11 min read
Hello my friends, I hope this finds you well. This week, I want to reflect on how our beliefs about the nature of God impacts how we live our lives and how that dynamic shapes the world we live in today. RESOURCES: -I was recently given the book, "The Word of a Humble God: The Origins, Inspiration, and Interpretation of Scripture." by Karen R. Keen. I have not begun to read it yet, but I am excited to get started. Karen works to bring together both historical criticism and theology, this...
about 1 month ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, With all that is happening in our world today and with this week being the beginning of the season of Pentecost in the Christian calendar, I wanted to reflect on the identity of what the church is called to be by God in the world. New Books To Consider: -Wonder: 52 Conversations to Help Kids Fall in Love With Scripture by Meredith Miller. My friend, and best selling author of the book Woven, has recently published a very helpful and practical guide for parents and caregivers...
about 1 month ago • 10 min read
Hello my friends, With the the Rededicate 250 event being held at the National Mall today (May 17th) I wanted to reflect with you on the dangers of revisionist history, the state wielding performative Christianity, and what Jesus may be calling us to in days like these. Recommended Resources -A Christian Field Guide to Christian Nationalism . I recently put together this brief resource in hopes to equip people to be able to better respond to questions about Christian Nationalism in their day...
about 2 months ago • 9 min read
Hello my friends, Given the recent ribbon cutting ceremony, where a pastor led a celebration for the unveiling of a 22 foot tall gold statue of the president on one of his golf courses, I thought I would send out this reflection on how idolatry is framed in the Bible. It’s not just the gold statue, it’s what it represents. One of the central themes running throughout Scripture is the rejection of idolatry. Yet when many modern readers hear the word “idol,” they often imagine ancient people...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read