“To simplify before you understand the details is ignorance.
To simplify after you understand the details is genius.” ~ James Clear
My friend and colleague, Meiko Seymour, writes beautifully on lament.
I will be writing some thoughts on Romans 13 at the beginning of next week. I keep seeing it quoted and used as some sort of cudgel that defends state violence and the degradation of image bearers by the state. I think it might be good for some clarity on that particular passage in its context.
It is remarkable to be able to come to a place like this to rest. I am beyond grateful for this time.
It’s really frustrating when you have a point that you want to make in a sermon but the text doesn’t really allow you to make that point. I mean, I could definitely “get” there by some logical gymnastics, but that whole “integrity” thing gets in the way.
That moment it clicks that the Kingdom of Heaven and hypocrisy of the Pharisees are both illustrated by yeast.
I asked my congregation to consider a simple question this week, “Which beatitude do you think no longer ‘works’ in our modern world?”
It is there we find the place that we have begun to move away from the kingdom of the beloved Son.
I am convinced the way of Jesus demands us to see one another as image bearers. When we de-humanize another it is evidence that we have lost our way.
Currently reading: The Will of the Many by James Islington 📚
After one chapter, I can already tell this is going to be fun.
Finished reading: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson 📚
Another fun tale in the Cosmere. I really appreciate Sanderson’s handling of religion.
My next non-fiction read will be Will of the Many by Islington.
A very helpful episode that lends insight and understanding to the events playing out in Minnesota and Iran. I highly recommend this podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
“Dan, why aren’t you posting on Facebook about the current political issues? You have a responsibility to do so!”
As I watch other pastors post about these issues the “discussion” in the comment section is horrific. The conversations are too often not in good faith and attract the worst kinds of engagement. The rage baiting, the sea-lioning, the talking past one another, the trolling, the name calling, just to name a small bit of the issues that arise.
Ultimately, what I have seen that the online comment sections are unhelpful at best and too often create even more animosity.
Would you like to discuss the issues? Send me a private message, text, or email and we can set up a time to discuss, in person.
You don’t live locally to me? Then, perhaps we can set up a video chat or better yet, I would encourage you to connect with your own pastor in your own town.
I am realizing that my primary responsibility is to walk alongside those folks that God has particularly called me to serve. Those people being folks living along the US 23 corridor from Ypsilanti up to Flint.
When little bro flies in on the same plane you’re about to leave on…
God's Kingdom Come - God's Kingdom Reorders Our Lives
You can listen to the unabridged message here: God’s Kingdom Reorders Our Lives
Matthew chapter 5 opens what we often call the Sermon on the Mount. If you’ve ever read this section in a red-letter Bible, you know the feeling: suddenly the page looks packed, your eyes start swimming, and it can feel a little overwhelming.
This morning we’re focusing our attention on the opening 11 verses—the Beatitudes—as we continue our Epiphany series, God’s Kingdom Come. Each week we pray the Lord’s Prayer, asking:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
During this season we’re wrestling with a simple but challenging question: What are we actually praying for when we pray for God’s kingdom to come?
I recommend this podcast episode to you for a thoughtful reflection on the first year of the Trump presidency.