We are one week away from an election in the United States. It’s an election that has once again proved to be quite contentious. People are walking away from friends and family who are voting differently from them. I am watching churches devour themselves over politics. There are factions and dissensions that are rising in every corner of our society. In so many ways we continue to walk away from the way of love.

As a pastor there is a constant pressure to support this candidate or that candidate. I have been private messaged more times than I can to admit about why I do not talk about politics from the pulpit or on my social media.

Here’s the thing, everything I preach is politics. Anytime I write about faith or the way of Jesus, it is politics.

Tap Room Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The gang got together this week to discuss the American Election process. The opening little discussion was realizing how old we were as we shared our first experience voting for president.

I think one of my favorite questions that Jesus is asked in the Gospels is, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? (Luke 5:30)” Every time I read it, it makes me smile.

This particular questions comes after Levi is called to follow Jesus. Levi was a tax collector and was likely considered a traitor to his people. The tax collectors of any age, it seems, are despised by everyone. Levi, after being invited to follow Jesus throws a party at his place. His community shows up and the religious elite were not impressed. How could Jesus eat and drink with those people?

Tap Room Tuesday, October 1, 2024

This past Tuesday evening the crew once again gathered to talk face to face. We had a quality discussion about qualified immunity. But, we began with learning about one another’s favorite childhood movie. Psycho and The Brave Little Toaster were the two big surprises for me.

Tap Room Tuesady 9/24/2024

The crew was gathered around some deep fried food and cold beers for a conversation about what makes a good citizen. The buzz about the Tigers was growing. The dad jokes from Major Tom flowed. It was a pretty great night!

When I meet someone new one of the first questionst that I ask them is, “Where are you from?” Where someone is from tells you a lot about them. It provides a context for you to understand at least a little about how they might move through the world or the kinds of experiences that they may have. 

One of the saddest things I’ve experienced was during a service trip to Eastern Kentucky. We were in Menifee County which is one of the poorest countries in the United States. The people there are kind and loving but they do not have much. I was talking with a mother and daughter. I had asked where they lived. Their faces fell, “Well the government just took our post office, they say where we live doesn’t exist anymore. Just like that where we’ve lived our whole lives just no longer exists. Cause, we can tell you that where they say we live, we sure as heck don’t.”