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Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me
To this I hold, my hope is only JesusAll the glory evermore to HimWhen the race is complete, still my lips shall repeatYet not I, but through Christ in me
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A study in contrasts
I am beginning a deeper dive into 1 Timothy and doing an overview of the letter. It brings out a certain contrast I see in our current context. Kingdom living: There is bad behavior around you. Contrast that with good behavior. Christian Nationalism: There is bad behavior… therefore we must ELIMINATE THE THREAT!
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Violence and fear is our DNA
I was listening to a podcast discussing Christian Nationalism. It reminded me that for decades now all political campaigns on a more national level have mostly run on fear. “Elect us (our agenda/ideology), or this nation will collapse (or some other disaster will ensue).”
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How systems are set up to oppress
This is an eye-opening piece on the oppressive tax and legal system in the state where I now live. Much of it I have seen and there are things in the piece that confirm my suspicions. Some examples: While almost every state in the country, both red and blue, levies fines and fees that fall disproportionately on the bottom rung…
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Faith… I just KNOW
I’ve spent this morning contemplating Hebrews 11… and faith… and I find myself overwhelmed by the presence of the Spirit. It has sustained me for hours.
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The discipled political church
“…when it comes to American politics, Trump has discipled the church far more than the church has discipled Trump.” — David French. More HERE. Many millions of Republicans aren’t just Republicans on Election Day, they’re Republicans every day. And Donald Trump placed every-day Republicans in a constant dilemma. Did you point it out when he did evil things? Or did…
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Pastors and trauma
I listened to this podcast interview and found many similar parallels to my own journey. The trajectory of this pastor’s journey and struggle was very similar to mine. (I didn’t end up in Puerto Rico, but not all of us could, I’m sure.) In a time of polarization and “great resignations,” the American conservative church has not been exempt from…
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No surprises for God
I am beginning a brand new book out called Shaky Ground: What to Do After the Bottom Drops Out by Traci Rhoades. It is an invitation to learn from the broader Church and its history rather than one narrow slice of what we have experienced in our lives.
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Four deep questions in my life
I was reminded of four deep questions that draw me to life in the Kingdom of God: What is real?
