Hello my friends, I’ve seen several viral posts from pastors on a “biblical response” to immigration. While some make good points, many are unfortunately perpetuating myths about immigration rather than the reality we are living in. So, in a time where theological responses are often needed in Christian conversations, I thought I would just put together a few theological responses to many of the myths and negative stereotypes I continue to hear. Please remember, I am a firm believer in the...
1 day ago • 11 min read
Hello my friends, I hope you had a safe and wonderful weekend. I don't know about you, but sometimes the weight of the problems facing others, our country, and our world can feel so heavy and crushing. I hear the exhaustion from that weight expressed by many of you. I feel it too. So today, I wanted to reflect on the impossible weight individuals can feel in working for change, the unhelpful narratives that define personal responsibility, and how we can manage that weight better together. The...
3 days ago • 8 min read
My freinds, With all that is happening in our country today, I just wanted to send you a quick note of encouragement. I hope it brings you clarity and hope. May the peace of Christ be with you today. “No king but Christ.” What does this phrase mean? The early church was not born in safety. It was forged in the shadows of empire, under the looming authority of Caesar. To declare that Jesus is Lord was not a sentimental affirmation. It was to reject the imperial propaganda etched on every Roman...
3 days ago • 3 min read
Hello my friends, I pray this finds you well. Almost daily, I will receive messages and comments online about how my preaching and writing opens the door to "coddling sin" and how being "too compassionate" to those they define as sinners will is a form of cruelty. So, today I wanted to process this sentiment with you and hopefully navigate our way through this concept to a productive way of responding when we hear it brought up in conversations. Resources to Consider: -A Deep-Rooted Marriage...
10 days ago • 11 min read
My response to: “It’s Not the Government’s Job to Help the Poor—It’s the Church’s!” I’ve heard this phrase all my life—inside churches, outside churches, online, in political debates: “It’s not the government’s job to help the poor; it’s the church’s job.” I’ve been hearing it more and more lately from fellow Christians, especially in reaction to critiques of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” and the estimated harm it will cause to millions of Americans in the coming years. The sentiment is...
10 days ago • 6 min read
Hello my friends, Among the questions I receive the most are "how did we get here?" and "What do we do?" The answer to the first is multifaceted and highly influences how we answer the second. So, in today's newsletter, I'm going to address one of the facets that brought us to where we are today: extreme binary thinking. Then, we will look at a few practical steps together as we process what to do about it all. Thanks for being here and reading along. Recommended Resources: -Love is not an...
17 days ago • 16 min read
Hello my friends, I hope this finds you doing well. Thanks for being here. Many of you have written to me about how heavy your hearts are over the sheer disregard we are seeing towards our fellow human beings, especially the most vulnerable among us. I am right there with you. Given all of this, I wanted to look together at how Matthew 10:29-31 was used during a newly established prayer service at the pentagon and encourage us all to continue raising our voices in solidarity with the least...
24 days ago • 9 min read
Hello my friends, A lot of you have written me lately expressing feelings of helplessness and fear about all that is going on in the United States and beyond. So, I thought it would be helpful to process this together through the lens of John 13:31-35 and Jesus’ “new commandment” to love one another. I hope you find our time together today to be encouraging, insightful, and motivating. Recommended Resources: -Afrikaner refugees to arrive in Idaho despite broader program suspension After my...
about 1 month ago • 10 min read
Hey my friends, It seems like there are far too many things to reflect on and respond to in a given week, but one event this week, which I describe below, prompted a lot of conversations with friends who work directly with refugee resettlement. So, I thought it was important to reflect on it with all of you today. But before we get into that, here are some resources to consider: -Mosaics Podcast This podcast is really important, not only because it highlights a lot of the work that goes on...
about 1 month ago • 8 min read
Hello my friends, Thank you so much for all your thoughtful responses to my last couple of newsletters, not only for your insights on doubt and faith, but for your condolences for the loss of my dog. I am truly thankful for all of you and the community we have built. I appreciate you all very much. I have been contemplating a lot about the role shame and revenge play in all that is going on in our world today. It has left me asking the question about how we can pursue making things right in...
about 1 month ago • 11 min read