Daniel Rose: The Pastor Next Door logo Daniel Rose: The Pastor Next Door

This quote by Otis Moss Jr, a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr,

“Let it be forever remembered that all racism and hate lead to genocide, (Professor George Kelsey taught us this decades ago), past, present and future. In a society of hate no one is safe. The haters and the hated are in constant danger.

However, Love, Justice, Liberation, Transformation and Reconciliation must be our abiding commitment. This commitment must be kept alive and active from generation to generation.

Our prayer must forever remain: Dear God, make me too brave to hate and too courageous to be unkind.”

After Sundays, I would very much like to simply stay in bed all day. During the warm weather, my Monday morning golf with my dad breaks me out of the doldrums. When it’s cold? Well, it is going to have to be this place.

Gratitude is something that gets lost in the shuffle. It’s an experience beyond thankfulness.

Gratitude is like joy. I need to cultivate it in my soul.

Happiness is fleeting. Joy is sustaining. Thankfulness is fleeting. Gratitude is sustaining.

How do you cultivate gratitude in the depths of your being?

Lives Hidden With Christ - Forgiven

For the full audio of this message listen here: Lives Hidden With Christ - Forgiven

Last week, we began our exploration of Colossians chapter 2, specifically verses 9-12, where Paul speaks of a circumcision not done by human hands—Christ removing our sinful nature, or the “old man.” This concept is deeply connected to this week’s passage, verses 13-15, which form one continuous, profound thought.

There is simply too much truth here to unpack all at once, so this week, we focus on the remarkable work of God as Paul writes:

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness which stood against us and condemned us. He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15, NIV)

This is the Word of God. Let’s wrestle with what Paul means when he says, “When you were dead."

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Finished reading: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 📚

This was another fun read in the Cosmere! I am excited to read the next in the series. It’s a welcome change of pace from the non-fiction that I am constantly reading.

Lives Hidden With Christ - Fullness

For full audio you can listen here: Lives Hidden With Christ - Fullness

I have a simple, yet profound, question for you to consider: What truly fills you up?

What is that activity, experience, or acquisition that leaves you with a deep, satisfying sense of “I am whole, and I am full?”

For many of us, the chase for this sense of satisfaction comes to dominate our lives. We are constantly seeking to fill an inner void—a feeling of emptiness that is, perhaps, innately human.

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This Tuesday, Tap Room Tuesday kicks off our new series on “Wealth, Work & Economic Justice” by tackling: “The Ethics of Capitalism.”

Let’s discuss: When does profit-seeking become unethical? What are the moral duties of businesses? Your insights are vital!

🗓️ Tuesdays, 8 PM 📍 The Tap Room

Currently reading: Dominion by Tom Holland 📚

I just finished the preface. Let me tell you, I think this book is going to be epic. I’ve heard a number of interviews with Holland (a self avowed atheist) and the premise of the text, that Christianity is more disruptive on the stage of world history than we realize is profound.

Today I get to host and help celebrate a successful completion of a grant that a local youth ministry was rewarded.

This team did real work and I believe have laid a wonderful foundation for years to come as a result.

For those of you politically engaged, I would encourage you to post solutions to the problems that are continuing to emerge.

We need solutions and suggestions to move forward towards and to act in love.

There is so much we can do.

**Let’s share actions to take. Encourage and model the change you want to see. **

Finished reading: Slow Theology by A. J. Swoboda and Nijay Gupta📚

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend it!

Yesterday was one of those super fun Saturdays that you only get in the Fall:

Run: ✅

Mow: ✅

Chili: 🤤

Newcastle: W

IU: W

Iowa: W

Red Wings: W

Michigan: W

Friends and laughs: ✅

Life is pretty darn good when we look for the good.

As I have been processing the loss of SNAP benefits for those who are in great need I am struck by two things.

First, I immediately thought of the words of our former Lincoln Consolidated Schools superintendent who said when Covid shut everything down that it was a humanitarian crisis for the children who were dependent on the schools for breakfast and lunch. This is first and foremost something a humanitarian issue. Please consider supporting your local food banks at even greater level. If you’re in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor, Inwould encourage you to support the work that Hope Clinic is doing.

Secondly, it strikes me that this is a moment when churches need to ramp up their commitment to helping feed those who are hungry. I would argue we do this not by starting new programs but by coming alongside the existing programs in our towns and supporting them in more profound ways as they are going to be stressed to the point of breaking. They need, now more than ever our time, talents, treasure.