Stride Toward Freedom

20 Jan , 2021 No Comments

Today marks the end of something that defies most explanations and offers a new beginning that will likely be like other beginnings we’ve seen before. Trumpism will lose its prominence in the White House formal but is likely here to stay. And Biden, while I hope he leads us forward in a healthier way in numerous regards, is a politician offering only what the State can offer.

It seems like such a juxtaposition to have experienced MLK day on Monday and then have to grapple with the bizarre state of our country and culture two days later as we make a massive change.

Christianity Today offered the following perspective on MLK then and now and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I saw this:

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A Time for Prophets

06 Jan , 2021 No Comments

A few thoughts on today.

I am grieved and overwhelmed by what I watched happen. By what we are normalizing in the open. By police officers letting them in and then letting them walk out as if it didn’t matter.

This country has its roots NOT in Christianity—as many of my friends want to believe—but in white privilege and white supremacy. Yet my pastor friends can’t use those phrases or they will lose key givers in their church… and then maybe their jobs. Thankfully, I’m no longer bound by either. I’m also keenly aware of what happens when you take on the stronghold of racism in America, as my last year can attest.

The confederate flag was seen prominently in our capital today. Shirts said “Camp Auschwitz.” And police took selfies with them. During the #blacklivesmatter protests the response was dramatically different. I was criticized harshly (only from Christians) for participating in a peaceful march last summer. And now today we want to feign surprise as to how this could happen in America. If you are surprised by what happened today and want to think that we as a country are better than this, we’re not. Just ask the minorities in America who have lived this reality their entire lives.

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The Introvert’s Edge to Networking

06 Jan , 2021 No Comments

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

I had the chance to read Matthew Pollard’s second book, The Introvert’s Edge to Networking. The book comes out in a few weeks and follows up his previous book called The Introvert’s Edge. As you’re probably picking up, these books are written by an introvert for those of us who are introverted.

In case this term is unfamiliar to you, I’d generally define introverts as people who draw energy from being alone and spend energy from being with people. By contrast, extroverts draw energy from being with people and spend energy being alone. Most of us enjoy being with people and being alone, but the defining characteristic is how it affects your energy levels.

Like his first book, this one is loaded with practical insights for how to leverage the best of your wiring. By far, the most helpful insight for me from this book was to prepare an answer to one of the most common questions asked when we meet new people: “What do you do for a living?”

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My 71 Books of 2020

31 Dec , 2020 No Comments

I set a new personal reading record this year (by one book!). Finishing my Master’s degree this year definitely made it easier for my own reading. Hopefully one of your goals is to read intentionally this year, and if so, this list will provide you with a number of options to consider.

Here are the books I read since January of 2020 with my rating for them (5 being the best) along with a brief review. Any book without a number rating has been given to me by the author or publisher.

Click on any of the titles below to get to a link to buy it. (Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com).

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Communion Wine Co.

Communion Wine Co.

26 Dec , 2020 No Comments

I am BEYOND excited to announce the official launch of a new company that Michelle and I have been working on this year. It’s called Communion Wine Co. and is an opportunity for us to draw people together around wine to experience Jesus in new ways.

We have a number of ideas of what we can do with this, but much of our early focus will be on weekend tours to Oregon wine country. We’d love for you to consider joining us on one of these experiences no matter which state you live in. These weekends will combine conversations about life, discussions about Jesus, and of course… lots of good wine. It’s like a guided wine tour built on spiritual discussions.

Here are few ways you can be a part of this with us if you are interested:

  • Click here (or use the form below) to sign up with your email for our interest list.
  • Follow us on our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Check out our new website at www.CommunionWineCo.com
  • Share this (forward this email or send the website) with someone you know who may be interested.
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Echoing Hope

Echoing Hope

15 Dec , 2020 No Comments

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

My friend Kurt Willems has a book coming out in March and I had the chance to read an early copy. It’s called Echoing Hope: How the Humanity of Jesus Redeems our Pain. I could recommend this book without even reading it because I can recommend Kurt as a person. And after reading it, I can say that the book represents him well.

Kurt is the pastor of Pangea Church in Washington. I would describe him as a pastoral theologian… and his book reads the same way. By that I mean he will connect with you on an emotional level while simultaneously dropping some profound theological depth in the process. It’s a rare skill to be able to balance the two as well as he does.

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