There is something about this time we are in that compels me to write on this day, June 14, 2025.

In Washington, D.C., there will be a military parade for the first time in decades. It is atypical of how the U.S. displays the military. Some will lay the blame at the feet of the president. I wonder if what is being displayed today is just symbolic and helps us ignore the ways we’ve used military power in so many other ways that have not always given good results.

In the Middle East, Israel attacked Iran deep inside their country after a long planned out attack was laid out by infiltrating the deepest parts of Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iran has struck back and now we have missiles flying around the Middle East.

Also in the Middle East, a team from our diocese happened to be in Israel and now are trapped. No flights are getting out and there might be windows of opportunity open in the next few days where they can catch a flight out.

Across America today will be protests of the current administration over the deporting of immigrants.

I think I simply wanted to note this day. Something deep in my spirit is stirring and I somehow wanted to mark this date.

In all of this, I find myself in Romans 8. I am drawn in because I need an anchor in this storm. This is where my reading had me and I am grateful for the leading of the Spirit.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5)

We have a lot of flesh going on in this time period of history (as we do in every time period). What is important to note is that a lot of things going on that are declared to “be of God” are not. The question is: where have we set our minds?

I am admonished to remember where I am to dwell: “But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit…” (Rom. 8:9)

The Spirit is speaking. Are we listening?

I know one thing for certain in my years of walking with Jesus: the voice of the Spirit does not tow a political party line or an ideological line or a philosophical line, all of which are made by humans. The voice of the Spirit is not consistently “Republican” or “Democrat” or “capitalist” or “socialist.” Those are the wrong voices. They cannot be my main guide.

The voice of the Spirit is true. It has no “company line” other than the “Kingdom line” it follows.

Something about this date needs to be noted. I write this early in the morning before anything really gets going for the day. And maybe nothing comes of this day.

All I am trying to do is tune into the frequency of the Spirit. I am simply trying to listen.

The world is sitting on a powder keg. We’ve been this way before and results have not been good. When we are determined to follow the flesh, we are all in.

May we, as the people of God, back away and tune our hearts to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.